Bristol vs East Side of Providence: I need to get off Acquidneck Island! (Warwick: neighborhood)

[rhodeislandred]

I've spent the last decade on Acquidneck Island, living in Portsmouth RI (yawn, zero walkability, good schools) and working in Newport RI (lovely, walkable, but dead off-season and too dominated by summer people - mix of rich preppies, drunk bridesmaids, and t-shirt-buying tourists in-season.)
I'm middle-aged and single and looking for an old colonial with a nice yard in a neighborhood with serious walkability and street-life as in other people walking on the sidewalks besides me. Walk to the corner store, to coffee, to art galleries, etc. I don't have kids so the schools aren't a concern.

Both East Side of Providence (Wayland Square, Fox Point, College Hill) and the historic downtown of Bristol seem to fit the bill. And the prices for housing are similar enough although East Side taxes are nightmarish.

But I've heard the East Side empties out on summer weekends, and it actually can feel a bit suburban... while Bristol can feel too small and claustrophobic after awhile.

So, what's your take? Help! Realtors in both poo-poo the other of course.

[Saltatrix]

I've lived in both places, and can understand the AI dilemma, but I'd still take Newport over Prov where I live now, especially if I worked there. Npt to Providence is quite a commute especially East Bay. Bristol is lovely, a bit conservative and family-oriented perhaps; Warren seems like a cool town, but parts of it can be more run down. Providence does get quiet in the summer, just when I'd also rather be at the coast; otherwise the East Side is college central, although the Hope Village area sounds like it might be for you, as would Pawtuxet Village on the Warwick/Cranston line. Have you considered Jamestown:-)?