Neighborhoods of Providence (Pawtucket: rentals, lofts, condos)

[SBCA]

I'm moving from Philadelphia to Providence, RI in June to begin a Post-doctoral research position at Brown University, and I was hoping to get some information (and advice) about where to live.

I would be very interested to hear about interesting neighborhoods in Providence that would be within 2 miles or so of the brown campus. I would love it if those who've spent a lot of time or lived in providence could give me some useful information about the neighborhoods that would be difficult to find out on the internet.

I'm in my late 20's and I appreciate the amenities of urban living, walkability, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, some grit, and diversity.

I'm set on living in providence proper and would travel primarily by bicycle. Thanks so much!

[Saltatrix]

By far the area that fits the bill would be the 'East Side' of Providence, where Brown is located. The area around Brown and RISD, and to a slight lesser degree Fox Point area on Wickenden St. are most college oriented, Wayland Square and Hope Village (Rochambeau St.) a mix of family and college, also very pleasant. If money is no issue, there are lofts and condos downtown, a five minute bike ride uphill to Brown. The less expensive, more gritty artist neighborhood option would be on the West Side, but then you'd have to ride across the city to get to Brown, not that Providence is that big, but anywhere on the East Side would be much more reasonable. Note that parking is not allowed overnight on any city streets, so if you would have a car a parking spot in a driveway or lot is always needed.

[SBCA]

Thanks! Great information. Providence east side seems like a good bet, and my only worry would be that it would be full of undergraduates who make it loud and turn any bar into "their scene". Perhaps this is not the case, though.

I've heard off-hand that the east side is pretty residential. But there must be interesting businesses on the east side as well, right?

[sandsonik]

Thayer Street is the main commercial road running through Brown University and that would be the area you might run into a louder student crowd at times.

As you head further east towards Blackstone Blvd, it's more family oriented and more large single family homes - but very expensive ones. Personally, I would check out the area from Rochambeau and Hope to Lippitt Park, where Hope St meets Blackstone Blvd. I've always gotten a good vibe from this area. There's a farmers market every weekend in Lippitt Park and there are quite a few restaurants, bakeries and shops; it seems like a very walkable neighborhood plus you have Lippitt Park and Blackstone Blvd or Swan Point Cemetery as nice green spaces to go for a walk.

[personalensign79]

I live in the BB/Elmgrove/Rochambeau area mentioned by sandsonik and I love it (except for the car taxes). There are a lot of great rentals here. We found ours on craigslist. I love walking up to Hope for restaurants or to the farmers' market in Lippitt.

[SBCA]

Originally Posted by personalensign79

I live in the BB/Elmgrove/Rochambeau area mentioned by sandsonik and I love it (except for the car taxes). There are a lot of great rentals here. We found ours on craigslist. I love walking up to Hope for restaurants or to the farmers' market in Lippitt.

Thanks. This is probably gonna be my best bet. Based on what I've seen on google street view, this area seems very serene, and perhaps even a little suburban. But it appears to be within walking distance of the hope st business district.

Is the Lippitt farmers market year-round?

[personalensign79]

It's not, it is May-October but there is a winter farmers' market in Pawtucket just short distance away.

This website has some good info - Farm Fresh Rhode Island - RI farms, local food, farmers markets