Neighborhood safety: Ivy Street and Broadway (Providence: apartments, insurance, safe area)

[newtoPVD]

Hi,

My husband and I are international students moving to Providence for grad school during the Fall and are looking for apartments online. One of these is a first-floor apartment located on Ivy Street (from google maps, it looks like it’s between Hope Street and Camp Street). Now, I’ve been reading mixed reviews about the area around Camp Street, Pleasant Street and Doyle Avenue. Would Ivy Street be a safe area for a family new to the US?

There is another apartment in Federal Hill, a little off Broadway (on Sutton Street). Reviews about Federal Hill are mixed, with some neighborhoods that are a little dodgy. Does anyone have any idea?

Many thanks!

Mila

[ormari]

I wouldn't have a problem with either location you mentioned.

I have always found Ivy Street to be pleasant. It is reasonably close to restaurants and shops on Hope Street in the thriving "Hope Village" business district.

I think anything within a stone's throw of Broadway is good. A few less trees perhaps than Ivy Street, but closer to the heart of the shops and restaurants in the thriving West Broadway business district.

The Ivy Street location is likely to be quieter which may be important when studying at home. Also, assuming Brown is the grad school in question, the Ivy Street location might be slightly more convenient.

[Hollytree]

Your worst case scenario in either of those locations is probably break-ins and theft. Make sure you take out renter's insurance.

[mr2448]

assuming Brown as the grad school, Ivy would be the better choice. Brown is a 15 minute walk down Hope Street. Or a direct bus trip, you should be able to get a pass from the University. Also, a 15 minute walk to restaurants and shops on Hope Street.

[ormari]

^Brown student IDs work as bus passes; riding RIPTA (our public transportation system) is free for Brown students…

I'd recommend renter's insurance in any part of the city. When I lived on College Hill, I knew several people who were victims of break-ins. Anecdotally, I have heard of more break-ins on College Hill than I have heard about in what some posters on this forum think of as dodgy neighborhoods.

[mp775]

Originally Posted by newtoPVD

Now, I’ve been reading mixed reviews about the area around Camp Street, Pleasant Street and Doyle Avenue. Would Ivy Street be a safe area for a family new to the US?

I wouldn't worry about Ivy Street. It gets sketchier west of Camp Street, and the farther north you are the better, but these days anything east of Camp is OK all the way down to Olney.

[newtoPVD]

Thank you folks! I hadn't thought about renter's insurance before, great suggestion. I have heard from a few senior students who were living on the first floor and had their stuff stolen, which is why I was somewhat apprehensive about living on a first floor apartment.

And yes, it's Brown.