South County (Providence, Newport, North Kingstown: houses, schools, university)

[arel]

I lived in the Wakefield/Narragansett area for a couple of years in the mid 1980's. I had been visiting for years because I had friends there. I still visit every year.

I lived on Great Island, then in Narragansett town, a few blocks from the library.

I am thinking of moving back to New England (from Brooklyn, NY) and Rhode Island is still a possibility, although Vermont is currently my first choice.

I'm interested in getting people's takes on how South County has changed. I know there has been development, but I remember a small town atmosphere in Wakefield and a semi-rural environment.

Thinking about it, I like the proximity to Providence, for a city, and Boston, for a big city. And 4 hours to New York, for a very big city. I remember the convenience of Route 1, the boat ride to Block Island and the beauty of Crescent Beach. I remember how that river goes to the ocean right at Narragansett Beach. (Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn reminds me a little of Narraganssett Beach.) I went to Newport for jazz concerts. Hopefully the venues are now smoke-free. My friends in Rhode Island always have things to do, although they do socialize a lot within a small group of family and old friends.

I still adore the Ocean State Job Lot, even though I haven't been there in a long time. I still use a nylon duffel bag I bought there in preparation for Hurricane Gloria! Also baskets and bamboo mats.

I also remember what has been called on one post here the "Rhode Island attitude", which I did not like and did not find comfortable at all.

Also, is the state any less corrupt than it was when I lived there? By the way, I saw a piece on a news show a few years ago that described Rhode Island as the most corrupt state in the country. On the plus side, though, I think Rhode Island was, when I was there, one of the three top states in the country for mental health services. (I'm a mental health professional.)

[RI Beachgoer]

Hi Arel,
In reply to your question.. "I'm interested in getting people's takes on how South County has changed. I know there has been development, but I remember a small town atmosphere in Wakefield and a semi-rural environment"

I moved to southern RI from CT in 1997 and LOVE IT HERE! You are right that EVERYTHING is near by and we have some of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast. Everything you could want all here in a nice little package. There has been some development but the small town atmosphere prevails. I believe it always will as most of the coastal RI towns have strict rules on development, etc to prevent these towns from becoming big cities.

Regarding the "RI attitude" I cant say I have encountered that ever. I find most people to be friendly.

Good luck :>)

[Dragondog]

From what I have seen, southern Rhode Island has changed little over the years. The beaches are still beautiful- and development has been confined to the Boston post road (US 1)

Corruption has been a problem in the state for years- especially in Providence, but that has lessened and Buddy Cianci is in prison.

As far as 'Rhode Island attitude'- it might be called New England attitude- if that exists.

[ontheroad]

You might want to check out Wickford--my extended family raised 6 children there, and one of the on-line resources has this to say,

"Historic Wickford is the original town center of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and it is a place where time seems to have stopped in the 1820s. In Wickford, the visitor finds what is said to be the densest concentration of original late Revolutionary and Federal period houses anywhere in New England."

No matter where I lived in New England, Wickford has always had great appeal as a small but accommodating town with some of the services many other area towns didn't often offer--including Wakefield.

[arel]

Wickford is a really nice place. I am visualizing it now as I write. I spent time there often, as I had a crummy car and used the Wickford Auto place a lot. While waiting for the car, I spent time in the library or walking around. Also, a friend lived there a while, although she later moved to Jamestown. Nice place, nice feeling there, and, I remember, a nice bookstore.

As for that car, it died in Vermont. The inclines caused an oil leak to flood the clutch plate. In Rhode Island, where the landscape is flat, I could manage the leak by policing the oil level.

I'll be up to Rhode Island soon. I visit for Christmas every year. (Last year, though, I didn't go because I had a bad cold.)

[puffdadi]

Rhode Island is a nice place to be ( if you know someone who has lived there long enough)! People keep to themselves quite a bit and you 'll come to find that almost everyone is related somehow or knows someone related to another close to you. " every one will know your business by the end of the day".

compared to the south. I think there are subtle for most part unspoken discrimination (racial, ethical, etc) especially with the "law" in certain instances. watch out for "the LAW".


1 of every 5 smokes pot or has some form of drama ( always screen people.)

you 'll probably do fine if you stay in your shell like a crab than live here.

in conclusion, you 'll find that many people have no idea that RI exists! (and you wonder why Rhode Islanders find it hard to live in other states).

[arel]

One time, as I was driving on the Westerly Bypass, I think, either into or out of Rhode Island, I noticed that the sign on the border was missing. I remember thinking: Rhode Island doesn't need a border. It has a force field.

[CrazyHands]

I don't think it is an attitude, it is ignorance. South County generally has a low education level. In supermarkets, you can't even get anyone to return a greeting or eye-contact. If you live in Italian area, like Westerly, they will always treat people outside of their family as outsiders. Also, did you know that most (or all) of the Italian immigrants there are completely illiterate (in Italian and English)? There is a big illiteracy education initiative in South County.

Originally Posted by RI Beachgoer

Hi Arel,
In reply to your question.. "I'm interested in getting people's takes on how South County has changed. I know there has been development, but I remember a small town atmosphere in Wakefield and a semi-rural environment"

I moved to southern RI from CT in 1997 and LOVE IT HERE! You are right that EVERYTHING is near by and we have some of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast. Everything you could want all here in a nice little package. There has been some development but the small town atmosphere prevails. I believe it always will as most of the coastal RI towns have strict rules on development, etc to prevent these towns from becoming big cities.

Regarding the "RI attitude" I cant say I have encountered that ever. I find most people to be friendly.

Good luck :>)

[arel]

Originally Posted by CrazyHands

I don't think it is an attitude, it is ignorance. South County generally has a low education level. In supermarkets, you can't even get anyone to return a greeting or eye-contact. If you live in Italian area, like Westerly, they will always treat people outside of their family as outsiders. Also, did you know that most (or all) of the Italian immigrants there are completely illiterate (in Italian and English)? There is a big illiteracy education initiative in South County.

Wow, I didn't know that. I lived in the Wakefield/Narragansett area, with forays into Charleston. I thnk I made only one trip to Westerly. The friends I had there were largely ex-New Yorkers, people from other states and a few native Rhode Islanders. I met people from URI (University of Rhode Island), who are often out-of-staters and often in Rhode Island only temporarily. I had no idea that such a huge level of illiteracy existed nearby. I never heard or read of it.

[lauralaylin]

I must say that I do not think South County is uneducated. I can't speak for the western area, but I lived in SK for over 20 years and found most people to at least have a college degree. The schools are great, full of professors children from URI, and I think education is very important to the people living there.

As for how the area has changed, I think one of the biggest things is traffic. Dale Carlia is now a constant hassle, especially now that CVS has taken over the Heritage Mall. But things are also nicer too in some respects. I like the new Belmont Supermarket, there's still plenty of great restaurants, and I think that although the locals aren't super duper friendly (and I still consider myself one even though I don't live there anymore), they certainly aren't hostile. They may not start a conversation in the line at the supermarket, but they won't ignore you if you start one.

Also, keep in mind that URI is attracting smarter students. They've increased their average SAT scores by 100 points in the past 10 years, which I think is pretty impressive.