Transferring to West Warwick. (Providence, Cranston: apartment, rentals, house)

[SS29]

Wondering what would be the best area to live in. I would initially rent for the first 6-months to a year, but would look to purchase property somewhere around <$250,000.

I am in my mid-twenties, single, and am coming from Washington, DC. Don't want too much of a culture shock, so any recommendations should have a decent social scene (if that exists in RI).

Also, is traffic bad? What kind of commute could I expect if I lived 15-20 miles from West Warwick?

Thanks in advance.

[mikey2]

take a look at Coventry, which is the next town over from west warwick. It's a nice community with good schools, etc.

There should be no traffic problems if you look around and pick carefully. Much of the trafffic tie-up occur and around Providence and Warwick area.

good luck

[rockfisherman]

Originally Posted by SS29

Wondering what would be the best area to live in. I would initially rent for the first 6-months to a year, but would look to purchase property somewhere around <$250,000.

I am in my mid-twenties, single, and am coming from Washington, DC. Don't want too much of a culture shock, so any recommendations should have a decent social scene (if that exists in RI).

Also, is traffic bad? What kind of commute could I expect if I lived 15-20 miles from West Warwick?

Thanks in advance.

I used to live in West Warwick...it is a mixed bag town...as an old mill town, it has run down urban areas, and suburban neighborhoods that are very nice as well. I like the Cowesett section of town. See this link: West Warwick, Rhode Island -- Welcome
Unfortunately, the town is most infamous for the Station nightclub fire.

The commute depends on which direction you move. Coventry, as mentioned, is nice. You might consider going east a bit to Warwick off Cowesett Avenue in the section near Goddard Park. Potowomut is nice, too.

[SS29]

Awesome info - thanks guys.

Is this traffic, or DC traffic like I'm used to? I'm used to a 10-mile commute normally taking an hour.

[Kax]

I lived in Coventry for many years and I definately do not think the West Warwick/Coventry area has a good social scene for twenty somethings, I actually don't think it has any social scene at all, I hated it there, and I was living there when I was in my twenties. It may be a good area for families, but definately not for single people in their twenties. Coventry/West Warwick is pretty much a slightly run down rural/suburban area with the Warwick Mall shopping centers being the center of what is there. R.I. is a very small state, and will seem especially manageable coming from the DC area (you will find that native Rhode Islanders think anything that is more than 15-20 minutes away is "far"), I HIGHLY recommend living in Providence and commuting down to West Warwick, you will be doing a reverse commute so the traffic on 95 won't be so bad, and I really believe that is the only place, aside from Newport, that you will find a twenty somethings social scene and not so much culture shock coming from DC! Plus Providence has had a big makeover in the past five years, it really is a beautiful city now! Good luck.

[SS29]

Wow - great info, Kax.

Thanks for the update about Providence being more for twenty-somethings. I was worried that I might plant myself in a place where it would be hard to meet people.

[INNYRI]

If you want to hang with the college kids, you could look for something around Brown. Lots of shops and restaurants on Thayer St (and horrible parking, though most rentals seem to have alloted space). Of course, then you'd also have the negatives that come along with living in a college area (like college kids ! )

Providence traffic will be a breeze for you after DC traffic--it was for us, after Long Island traffic!!

[melzee]

well that's funny because we are relocating to MD, VA or DC,,not sure yet where,,trying to find decent area,,,i am in Cranston ,, great community,,close to providence, west warwick,,traffic is nothing like your area,,there are always back roads, shortcuts ,,so we are selling and or renting our place, i will email you privately,or you can contact me at melzee411@yahoo.com, i cant leave until we do something with our house here,,good luck and any questions feel free to email

[nitroae23]

Coventry is a very high tax area,kinda slow,wouldn't recommend for a twenty something,Providence is a happening area,as is Newport,if you want to check out whats going on in the area,bands,comedy,etc.,check out the Providence Phoenix,which is a free weekly publication,probably available online also

[SS29]

Does anyone have a reccommendation for which apartment community to visit on my trip up there?

I've narrowed it down to West Warwick, Warwick, and Coventry. Unfortunately, the ratings on apartmentratings.com aren't that promising...

FYI - I'm trying to keep it under $1,000/month for a 1 bedroom.