Neighborhood near Brown U? (Providence: crime, safe area, college)

[quijote]

Hello....I'll be living in Providence, right near Brown U, during February and March. Specifically, I'll be living close to campus, near Charlesfield and Thayer. What is the area like? Will it be really noisy? Is it a safe neighborhood? Are there any particular precautions that I should take?

From what I can tell, and from what my limited contacts have told me, the place where I'll be living is fairly walkable to places of interest (not just Brown, but also restaurants, groceries, etc). Is this correct? Any favorite places I should look out for?

I also realize that "walkable" in February and March may be different from "walkable" when the weather is milder.... How is bus service to other parts of the city (such as downtown, Federal Hill, etc.)?

I've been advised to leave my car here in Wisconsin; is parking in the Brown U neighborhood really that bad?

Thanks to anyone willing to provide some insight.... I'm really looking forward to my extended visit.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by quijote

Hello....I'll be living in Providence, right near Brown U, during February and March. Specifically, I'll be living close to campus, near Charlesfield and Thayer. What is the area like? Will it be really noisy? Is it a safe neighborhood? Are there any particular precautions that I should take?

From what I can tell, and from what my limited contacts have told me, the place where I'll be living is fairly walkable to places of interest (not just Brown, but also restaurants, groceries, etc). Is this correct? Any favorite places I should look out for?

I also realize that "walkable" in February and March may be different from "walkable" when the weather is milder.... How is bus service to other parts of the city (such as downtown, Federal Hill, etc.)?

I've been advised to leave my car here in Wisconsin; is parking in the Brown U neighborhood really that bad?

Thanks to anyone willing to provide some insight.... I'm really looking forward to my extended visit.

Parking is that bad, unless you have a lot of money to pay for overnight parking. The neighborhood is safe and will probably be quiet during those months. You will have quick access to downtown at the bus tunnel and there is crosstown Trolley Bus service from the East Side to Federal Hill that runs every 20 minutes. If you are a student at Brown then inquire about the free bus service the college offers on RIPTA(the local city transit service).

There is no fast food in your area! Try Johny Rocket's(Thayer Street), Haven Brothers(downtown), Geoff's(Thayer Street) and more. You definitely won't go hungry here!

Enjoy your stay.

[jakedog1]

You'll be fine Just make sure you have good boots. It will be gray and slushy and icy (and cooooooold!) that time of year. Not quite the bone chilling experience of Mass Ave in Feb- but still , bring your warm undies. Thayer street is filled with plenty to do/eat before you even head downtown. Leave your car at home.

[sugarbeet]

I'm a former Wisconsinite (now Minnesotan) who lived for a year near Brown on Waterman Street. It's been a few years, but leave your car if you don't need it. Not only is free parking scarce, but if there's an ice storm you might not make it back up the hill! (just kidding, but the hills can be intimidating at first)

You can get everything you really need within walking distance and the buses are quite good, as I recall.

It's a pretty safe area. It's a city, so crime happens, but in general you'll be fine around there.

Check out Cafe Paragon and Andreas on Thayer, Cable Car near the river.

Have fun!