Rhode Island..yuk..what curse brought me back here? (Providence: middle-class, real estate)

[POhdNcrzy]

I grew up in RI and recently moved back here with the intention of going back to college for a second BA or BS. I can live rent free with my aging parents who live here. Just wanna say I don't know if I can hack it here. Quite frankly, Rhode Island blows. If someone is really into sailing, boating and fishing, I can see why they would like it here. But for everybody else, why in the heck do they live here? I don't get it. I think it's people who've lived here their entire lives without travelling around much, they just don't know about better places to live.

The Rhode Island whiners and haters gripe list:

1. November-April you are freezing your cahunas off day in, day out. Stiff breezes blow in off the Atlantic all day long with a severe bone-chilling cold. 40 dF here feels like 16 dF in the Midwest.

2. 5 days of clouds, clouds, clouds, finally a little sunshine maybe.

3. You have to drive for 30 minutes or more to do anything in RI, whether it's commuting to work, driving to Providence for a little nightlife, or driving to Whole Foods market.

4. People here are humble, down-to-earth and friendly, but there's a sort of complacency and sluggish-energy that irks me. The movers and shakers of the world do NOT live in Rhode Island. It could be summed up as: "Yeah, there's nothing to do around here and the place hasn't changed in fifty years, but who cares".

5. The people of Rhode Island: a. Exclusive rich elitist WASP-ish types going to their fancy events in their fancy cars. If you are not one of them, they don't want ANYTHING WHATSOEVER to do with you. b. Small-town middle-class types. Down-to-earth and simple. They don't get much out of life and don't ask much of life, and they like it that way. c. Some real rough-around-the-edges callous ornery working-class people, many of them daytime drunks and pill-poppers. These peoples' kids were the ones who tortured me when I was a little kid (yes, literally tortured me (and got away with it every time too)).

5. Taxes are real high but all the smaller, local roads are full of cracks and potholes, like roads in Afghanistan or worse, geez.

6. Cost of living in RI is real high, from taxes to food in the grocery stores to real estate. Are there any positives that justify such a major negative factor? (....uhh, nice scenery and beaches just doesn't cut it for me anyway.)

7. The job market in Rhode Island is absolutely horrible. Just horrible. Nothing more to say about that.

8. Providence, RI. Is Providence the smallest city in the US or what? A couple little strips with some night-life, a teeny-tiny downtown skyscraper section mostly abandoned at night. Can anyone say "lame, lame, lame".

The few positives:

1. A nice place to raise a family. Lots of tight-knit, safe friendly communities.

2. The air is fresh most days, thanks to all the sea breezes.

3. It sure is pretty. Beautiful beaches and coastlines, nice foliage, historic buildings n stuff.

4. Lots of higher ed schools packed in a small area, i.e. Brown, Prov College, RISD, many others... This helps promote a healthy amount of cultural offerings: live music performances of every style imaginable, interesting art exhibits, theater, etc., most all of it classy and high-quality.

5. Nice ethnic diversity. Every color and race imaginable here.

Overall though, I don't like living in Rhode Island one bit. Can't wait to leave this place again, hopefully sooner than later !

[skytrekker]

Your description of Providence is to say the least untrue- it has a beautiful downtown, one of the best preserved historical districts in the nation and great food.

As for the weather- there are plenty of places far worse- Rhode Island may not have perpetual sunshine, but it has a far more moderate climate then all of the Midwest

The job market in the current real estate downturn is probably better then many other areas of the country now..

Cost of living is higher then Indiana- but cheaper -then all of the West Coast, and many parts of Florida, Nevada and Arizona.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Wow, you sure sound bitter I am RI born and bred and now live down south and I never in my life heard anyone describe RI like you did. Hopefully those folks looking to relocate to RI will take your negative and somewhat unfounded comments with a grain of salt.

[Rnrboy]

I moved here four years ago from FL and absolutely love it here. I have seen much of Europe, Canada and our own country; and I consider RI to be my favorite place on Earth.

There was much about the "facts" in your post that were grossly innaccurate. I am almost tempted to believe you're a troll, but if not - perhaps RI just isn't for you.

[wxjay]

Just another rant from someone unhappy with the area. While RI may not be my most favorite place ever (I was born and raised there), all of the things listed as negatives are just simply overexaggerated in the post above.

[mr2448]

you have obviously missed that Biz Journal has ranked Providence in the top 10 fun places in the U.S.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by mr2448

you have obviously missed that Biz Journal has ranked Providence in the top 10 fun places in the U.S.

Yes, and if you look at providence with an open mind you will see why. Many people don't like to give credit where it is due but former Mayor Buddy Cianci, apart from any of his legal troubles, did more than any mayor previous to make Providence a true rennaisance city.

[quickdraw]

Living with aging parents would suck anywhere.

[Want-to-be in NC]

I totally agree with your gripe about the weather(today is a great example of freezing your backside off!!), taxes, and the condition of the roads. As far as the positives go, you left out the fact that there are some outstanding restaurants throughout the state. We are very lucky to have so many choices!! Too bad the state is becoming totally unaffordable for most.

[Alphaman]

As a former RI resident I would have to say I like living in FL better then RI but it`s not as bad as that poster has described it`s not even bad. For me Florida is a better fit but I loved Rhode Island food you can`t beat it!