Living in Newport? (Providence, Warwick, North Kingstown: real estate, movies, private schools)

[Timmo]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to start a thread on New port, mainly because I see so few postings about it, and yet it's such a beautiful city.

How is Newport for living? Is it quite different from visiting?

My family may be relocating to the area, since I have relatives near Providence. Appreciate your responses.

[beautyprevails]

i live in east providence, but know people who are from newport. it is super quiet in the winter and absolutely packed in the summer. it is a beautiful town for the most part although there are some run down areas. i'm not sure about the difference between living and visiting, but i do know real estate is real high. not sure about rents but undoubtedly, they must be high as well.

[redhand11]

We've lived in Newport for 2 years and love it (after living in about 15 other places). For me, the best part is being able to live 'in town' and walk to everything - shops, dining, movies, coffee, etc. I agree that the winters are pretty quiet, and the summers get a bit crazy will all the traffic, but nothing annoying, and you can avoid tourists/traffic pretty easily if you so desire. There are many beautiful beaches and places to get out and walk, great farmer's markets, and to me the quality and pace of life are wonderful. The airport is only about 35 min. away, Providence about 40 min. and Boston about 80 min.

I hear that the public schools are not 'good' and everyone I know sends their kids to private. I did tutor a 2nd-grader at a public school last year though and was impressed with the school and his teacher, for what it's worth.
Any questions on specifics, please ask.

[wxjay]

Newport used to be a great little "ritzy" area for Rhode Islanders, but has gone downhill in the last ten years. There is still that touristy feel to the city when you live there. But, if you do have children, the Newport (and most of the East Bay schools minus Barrington, Tiverton, and Portsmouth) are not ideal for public schooling.

I personally would not choose to live in Newport for these reasons and others (it's too far from Providence - 1 hour drive - and retail down there outside of the tourist places is not that great). I would look into areas on the West Bay like North Kingstown or even Warwick for better options. But, to each their own of course. As the poster above me states, he/she loves it.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by wxjay

Newport used to be a great little "ritzy" area for Rhode Islanders, but has gone downhill in the last ten years. There is still that touristy feel to the city when you live there. But, if you do have children, the Newport (and most of the East Bay schools minus Barrington, Tiverton, and Portsmouth) are not ideal for public schooling.

I personally would not choose to live in Newport for these reasons and others (it's too far from Providence - 1 hour drive - and retail down there outside of the tourist places is not that great). I would look into areas on the West Bay like North Kingstown or even Warwick for better options. But, to each their own of course. As the poster above me states, he/she loves it.

Living here also I would agree however as far as I'm concerned none of the schools except a few private schools, in the state are anywhere near as good as they should be.

According to greatschools.net which compares schools and schools systems nationally according to a number of criteria -- including test scores and percentages of kids in the 11th grade who attain grade level in reading and math, Rhode Island on average is terrible! Only 54% reach grade level in reading and 43% do in math. Even in the "best" schools such as East Greenwich only 78% attain grade level in English and only 66% do in math. In Connecticut things are MUCH different! Right next door to us in Groton -- (not one of the most well-to-do towns in Ct either), the percentage of kids that reach grade level in these subjects exceeds "the best" Rhode Island schools where nearly 80% or more of the kids at Groton attain grade level. In fact the state average is 80% of the kids attain grade level in Reading and 78% do in math! In Charleston, Sc its not unusual to have 90% of the class attain grade level in reading and math in several schools. Everythng is relative I suppose. Rhode Islanders have their own way of doing things. I suppose in Rhode Island schools there maybe be more emphasis on making sure the kids have a high self-esteem and becoming proficient in reading and math may be secondary. Certainly the test scores would indicate this.

[mcbaby]

Living in Newport is great. The summers are fun - lots to do. The winters are quiet but Christmas time is beautiful with many activities. Contrary to all that is said, the schools are very good. I don't understand why people are so down on the schools - is it the diversity??? Most people I know send their kids to public schools are like them. People who know nothing should not speak as though they do.

[ricitykid]

Originally Posted by emilybh

Living here also I would agree however as far as I'm concerned none of the schools except a few private schools, in the state are anywhere near as good as they should be.

According to greatschools.net which compares schools and schools systems nationally according to a number of criteria -- including test scores and percentages of kids in the 11th grade who attain grade level in reading and math, Rhode Island on average is terrible! Only 54% reach grade level in reading and 43% do in math. Even in the "best" schools such as East Greenwich only 78% attain grade level in English and only 66% do in math. In Connecticut things are MUCH different! Right next door to us in Groton -- (not one of the most well-to-do towns in Ct either), the percentage of kids that reach grade level in these subjects exceeds "the best" Rhode Island schools where nearly 80% or more of the kids at Groton attain grade level. In fact the state average is 80% of the kids attain grade level in Reading and 78% do in math! In Charleston, Sc its not unusual to have 90% of the class attain grade level in reading and math in several schools. Everythng is relative I suppose. Rhode Islanders have their own way of doing things. I suppose in Rhode Island schools there maybe be more emphasis on making sure the kids have a high self-esteem and becoming proficient in reading and math may be secondary. Certainly the test scores would indicate this.

I have to agree with you. RI got an "F" for the math testing scores. The schooling is horrible compared to the rest of the states in the U.S.