Best and Worst places of RI? (Moving in September) (Providence: for rent, university) - City-Data Forum

dgd717 · 06-12-2012, 07:22 PM

Hello,

I'll be moving to Rhode Island soon. I know I've asked a question about RI a couple months ago, but I didn't get too many response. Just wondering, what are the best and worst places to live and experience in Rhode Island? I'll be going to the University of Rhode Island in the fall.

Here's the situation.

I want to live in a very fun (coffee shops, etc) and calm (sea, nature, nice architecture) areas--I especially love the sea. I know you also can't have everything. I don't want want my commute to URI to anything more than 40-45mins. I'm a mature young professional adult and in my mid-twenties. I rarely ever drink anymore, so I'm not into pub scenes anymore. I enjoy good ethnic food, arts, libraries, road biking trails, and nice quiet safe areas. However, since I'm in college, I'm also on a very tight budget for rent and transportation. I'm not too fond of chains (with the exception of places like Starbucks and Trader Joe's), for example, "dunkin donuts", "mcdonalds", etc.

I actually do end up being friends with people older than me, some people in their thirties, especially international students. I can get a long with an older community. I'm a religious and rational person for the most part. I know I don't have to worry about RI being too much of a "bible belt" community.

Ideally, I'd like to be by sea if anyway possible. If not the sea, at least by tons of trees. I'm a city guy and big into community, but I am also big into nature and finding my privacy. I don't like strip mall and suburban looking areas. I find those areas kind of depressing. I looked into Pawtucket, Providence, Newport, Narraggansett, and maybe south Kingston. I'm really considering Providence, but I want to be close to URI in some way, but in a nice area. So in your minds, what are the best and worst areas to live? Especially considering my situation.

mr2448 · 06-12-2012, 08:52 PM

Try the Wickford area. Everything will be within 30 minutes; URI, Providence, Newport, beaches and shopping. Trader's Joe will necessitiate a ride to the capital of strip malls in our state, Route 2 Warwick. The new Wickford train station will allow weekday direct travel to both Providence and Boston. Also, you are not far from East Greenwich with their restaurants and coffee shops.

QuilterChick · 06-13-2012, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgd717

Hello,

I'll be moving to Rhode Island soon. I know I've asked a question about RI a couple months ago, but I didn't get too many response. Just wondering, what are the best and worst places to live and experience in Rhode Island? I'll be going to the University of Rhode Island in the fall.

Here's the situation.

I want to live in a very fun (coffee shops, etc) and calm (sea, nature, nice architecture) areas--I especially love the sea. I know you also can't have everything. I don't want want my commute to URI to anything more than 40-45mins. I'm a mature young professional adult and in my mid-twenties. I rarely ever drink anymore, so I'm not into pub scenes anymore. I enjoy good ethnic food, arts, libraries, road biking trails, and nice quiet safe areas. However, since I'm in college, I'm also on a very tight budget for rent and transportation. I'm not too fond of chains (with the exception of places like Starbucks and Trader Joe's), for example, "dunkin donuts", "mcdonalds", etc.

I actually do end up being friends with people older than me, some people in their thirties, especially international students. I can get a long with an older community. I'm a religious and rational person for the most part. I know I don't have to worry about RI being too much of a "bible belt" community.

Ideally, I'd like to be by sea if anyway possible. If not the sea, at least by tons of trees. I'm a city guy and big into community, but I am also big into nature and finding my privacy. I don't like strip mall and suburban looking areas. I find those areas kind of depressing. I looked into Pawtucket, Providence, Newport, Narraggansett, and maybe south Kingston. I'm really considering Providence, but I want to be close to URI in some way, but in a nice area. So in your minds, what are the best and worst areas to live? Especially considering my situation.

Have you actually visited areas in RI ? Stay in the southern part of the state, definitely. Even though it is a small state, the traffic, price of gas, etc. will be daunting. Check into Westerly, Coventry, etc. Rents are high in RI. Review some of the prior threads on this subject and do more homework.

Hollytree · 06-13-2012, 05:59 AM

What is your budget? This may dictate where you live much more than your desires.

Snowball7 · 06-13-2012, 10:06 AM

dgd as you prob. already know, URI has campus in Prov as well as Kingston.
based on your post, i can tell you're going to like it here.
Visit Rhode Island :: What to Do :: Beaches

Saltatrix · 06-14-2012, 01:01 PM

We call it the 'ocean' here. Providence is nice but if you like the ocean and nature and more relaxing areas, definitely stay south: Kingston area, Narragansett, or even Newport. The urban areas here are small, but quite densley populated and urban; I recently moved back south and at this point have no desire to get on 95 and go to Providence ever again, although I'm sure I will.