Clueless about Rhode Island! (Providence, Cranston: budget, apartment, wages)

[wanna_get_out_of_NM]

Hi,
Rhode Island has been on our list of places we would consider moving. Only thing is that I have no clue about Rhode Island let alone judge whether or not it is a good fit for our family and our lifestyle. Any thoughts? I have read a lot of these threads and Rhode Island doesn't seem like a favorite among users.

Pros and Cons please! Any suggestions about what cities may suit us? Here is a bit about our personalities, wants, needs, etc...

We are in our mid/late 20's. We have a 4 year old son and want to keep our family growing with more children down the road. My husband and I are very low key and dont make a fuss about much. We are homebodies, but we like to go out and find fun things to do together as a family. My husband and I like to go out just the two of us when we can.

My main concern of moving to any state/city is SAFETY, cost of living, job wages, job oppurtunities, and a wide range of commercial business like resturants and stores.

Any thoughts from the info I gave you?

Thanks!

[GermanSpy]

Well, that's very difficult to answer. You could move to a nice small town somewhere in South County where you'll definitely feel safe and cozy. Shopping and dining would be only a short drive away and it would be a decent place to raise children. I somehow don't think Providence would be what you're looking for when it comes to finding a place to live.

The problems you'll face when moving to Rhode Island are as follows:

- Cost of living is high in this state. It's really not a cheap place to live at all.
- Jobs. Rhode Island doesn't have what I would call a healthy job market. You can find good jobs here but you'll need to be well connected to land one of those (or very lucky). I usually tell people who consider moving to RI to make sure they have some kind of job lined up before they actually move.

So those two would be what I would consider. With a decent budget RI is definitely a nice place to live though.

[wanna_get_out_of_NM]

Originally Posted by GermanSpy

Well, that's very difficult to answer. You could move to a nice small town somewhere in South County where you'll definitely feel safe and cozy. Shopping and dining would be only a short drive away and it would be a decent place to raise children. I somehow don't think Providence would be what you're looking for when it comes to finding a place to live.

The problems you'll face when moving to Rhode Island are as follows:

- Cost of living is high in this state. It's really not a cheap place to live at all.
- Jobs. Rhode Island doesn't have what I would call a healthy job market. You can find good jobs here but you'll need to be well connected to land one of those (or very lucky). I usually tell people who consider moving to RI to make sure they have some kind of job lined up before they actually move.

So those two would be what I would consider. With a decent budget RI is definitely a nice place to live though.

I really appreciate the response!

[skytrekker]

Rhode Island has far less crime then NM. I know Albuquerque has one of the highest rates of crime nationally. Cost of living is high- but the same can be true of the entire northeast corridor- RI is less costly then Washington DC and NoVa, NYC, LI, Northern NJ and greater Boston. Santa Fe for example is a far more costly place to live then Providence.

Job growth is about average currently. But with the nation perhaps on the verge of a significant economic slowdown- the entire nation will slow.

Many parts of the state are very pleasant- and there is easy and quick access to all the great things New England has to offer.

[Rnrboy]

Almost the entire State is very nice and very safe.

The only places I would recommend staying away from are parts of Pawtucket and Woonsocket. Also Central Falls and the West and South sides of Providence. (Although much of Providence is very safe as well.)

Eastern Cranston can be questionable too, but the Western portion would be a great place to raise a family, and very conveniently located.

Every where else in the State would be a great place to live as well.

[sdhayer]

I am an east coast lady-upstate ny-who has been living and working in houston tx for over 26 years. I am ready to return "home"-to the atlantic, lighthouses and a more reserved lifestyle. I am a clinical social worker and therapist and have always loved the new england area. I have not been to rhode Island since my late teens-a long time ago-but this is where I want to settle. I do not need to consider schools anymore, and since driving the freeways of Houston for many years, commuting is not a problem. I need input as to housing-I would love something older with character and at a reasonable cost. I am also interested in exploring the employment situation in my field. (Housing would be a flat or rental apartment at this time.)Can you help? I need a feel for this area. susan

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Skytrekker pretty much said it all and accurately as well. I would like to add that there really is only one major newspaper in RI and that is The Providence Journal/Evening Bulletin. You can read it only by using this link: projo.com Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal If you want to make comments you will have to register (free) and log in. This link has a wealth of information about RI and is how many former Rhode Islanders stay in touch and with the beat of RI.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by sdhayer

I am an east coast lady-upstate ny-who has been living and working in houston tx for over 26 years. I am ready to return "home"-to the atlantic, lighthouses and a more reserved lifestyle. I am a clinical social worker and therapist and have always loved the new england area. I have not been to rhode Island since my late teens-a long time ago-but this is where I want to settle. I do not need to consider schools anymore, and since driving the freeways of Houston for many years, commuting is not a problem. I need input as to housing-I would love something older with character and at a reasonable cost. I am also interested in exploring the employment situation in my field. (Housing would be a flat or rental apartment at this time.)Can you help? I need a feel for this area. susan

Try this link to start your search for work and for housing: projo.com Rhode Island news | projo.com | The Providence Journal