Another One Moving Back to RI - HELP! (Providence, Warwick: houses, neighbourhoods)

[Chili]

I grew up in RI, moved to Baltimore, MD for graduate school and stayed for 15 ys! Recently had a child and want to move closer to family, who all live in Southeastern NE - most in RI, bro in Boston, sis in Conn. I just accepted a job in downtown Prov. & hubby is looking. We've narrowed our house search based on good schools and not too far (ruled out S.Kingston b/c of commute). Like most, we are looking for good public schools, reasonable commute and nice people Husband has never lived in RI and want him to be comfortable in our new digs

What do you think about - Lincoln, Cranston, Foster, Bristol, E.Greenwich, and Barrington. Any other places you'd recommend?

Housing seems pretty expensive, but we've been spoiled with a 15-20 min commute and can't bear the thought of an hour in the car each way. I am worried after reading posts about traffic and people (things I don't remember being concerned about). Appreciate your insight

[lauralaylin]

I grew up in SK, so I don't know a ton about all the northern towns. Bristol and Barrington are nice (went to Warren every Sunday growing up), but I always felt they were almost a part of MA instead of being in RI because of the water. East Greenwich is very nice. When I lived in Warwick, I spent a lot of time there. Good restaurants, nice houses, etc. Cranston is a better option if you don't want to spend a ton on your house, East Greenwich is a little more pricy.

[Signora]

Hello,

I grew up in the part of RI on the water (Portsmouth), so Bristol and Barrington are very RI to me! They are both lovely (yet expensive) towns. The schools in Barrington, Lincoln, and Cranston are excellent (I don't know how the schools in Bristol are). They actually have a problem with people out of district sneaking their kids into the Cranston schools because they are close to Providence and MUCH better! My husband and I are living in East Providence. It is nice because it is close to Providence... but the schools aren't the greatest (my daughter is only in Kindergarten and we will be moving out of state this summer... so we were not too concerned about schools when we moved here).

As far as your commute...Bristol might be a royal pain because the roads to Providence are small (many are one lane) and get easily bottled up. You can also have that problem if you live in certain parts of Barrington, but can situate your self for an easier commute with some effort! I am not sure about Lincoln, but there is a pretty easy highway that runs right up there... so it shouldn't be too bad.

There is a lot of traffic.... We live only about five minutes from where my hubby works (with no traffic), but it sometimes takes him 45 minutes to get home. The drivers are also kind of aggressive... but then I don't know how they are where you live now.

I don't think adjusting to the people will be too hard if you grew up here and are currently living on the East Coast. It tends to be a little more difficult for people coming from the South or Midwest. What is considered as friendly and normal here can be interpreted as rude and harsh.

One thing that my husband and I decided to get away from was the stress and feeling of rushing everywhere that we feel here. We both grew up in places like that (mine being RI), but had a nice experience in the Midwest, where we felt much more relaxed. We will miss the ocean, however. That's why it's good to have relatives here to visit! .

I wish you all the best!

[ontheroad]

Gosh, Chili, I would have to do a mapquest, but some of the towns you mention are a good drive away from Providence and you said no to N. Kingston because of commute time. I commuted regularly from N. Kingston right off 138 to Providence downtown in under 45 minutes. Just that always seemed like a lot to most Rhode Islanders

Cranston is a breeze for a commute, but not my favourite town. Nice, but never seemed as cosy as some of the other towns.

Barrington and Bristol are two that may not seem far, but if I recall commuting in on 195 can be a pain at rush hour. I did it from Rehobeth for awhile, and I think with no traffic it was about 1/2 hr; with traffic unless you are right off I-195, it could be 45 minutes--lots of traffic at the Wickenden exit. Both Brisol and Barrington are really beautiful, have good schools, small but sweet.

Lincoln is nice and probably as easier commute on 146. Foster may also take some time.

I've attached a map of RI. Of course you know what it looks like, but I always feel good looking at a map. I know several people who live out West, towards CT (going along rte 44), that have really nice property, good schools and lighter on the pocketbook.

Have you thought about Warwick or Edgewood. Edgewood has really changed since you lived in RI and Warwick has some wonderful neighbourhoods.

Good luck. I just realized looking at the map that I miss Rhode Island!

Originally Posted by Chili

I grew up in RI, moved to Baltimore, MD for graduate school and stayed for 15 ys! Recently had a child and want to move closer to family, who all live in Southeastern NE - most in RI, bro in Boston, sis in Conn. I just accepted a job in downtown Prov. & hubby is looking. We've narrowed our house search based on good schools and not too far (ruled out S.Kingston b/c of commute). Like most, we are looking for good public schools, reasonable commute and nice people Husband has never lived in RI and want him to be comfortable in our new digs

What do you think about - Lincoln, Cranston, Foster, Bristol, E.Greenwich, and Barrington. Any other places you'd recommend?

Housing seems pretty expensive, but we've been spoiled with a 15-20 min commute and can't bear the thought of an hour in the car each way. I am worried after reading posts about traffic and people (things I don't remember being concerned about). Appreciate your insight

[GaryConsidine]

hi, i live in RI now and can you tell me about the stress difference in the midwest? we are considering moving that way for the same reason, a more relaxed environment. we also just dont know where to start! any advice is appreciated....

Originally Posted by Signora

Hello,

One thing that my husband and I decided to get away from was the stress and feeling of rushing everywhere that we feel here. We both grew up in places like that (mine being RI), but had a nice experience in the Midwest, where we felt much more relaxed. We will miss the ocean, however. That's why it's good to have relatives here to visit! .

I wish you all the best!

[quinnellabella]

i am living just 70 miles north of baltimore born and raised in pawtucket, ri do m\not move to pawtucket or central falls or providence. anywhere else is great. i love ri and miss it but couldn't afford to stay

[lisaps]

As someone who does an hour and a half commute i may have a warped perspective but I would check out south county towns...
they tend to be more relaxed but the commute to the city may take you 45 minutes.
it all depends what is more important to you.
Good luck!

[traceyr13]

I can speak to the schools issue - do not move to Bristol and do public school. Just. don't. do. it. Lincoln, Barrington and E. Greenwich have the best schools of the areas you listed. Cranston has been having huge tax/budget issues for the past 5 years (my dh's entire family lives in Cranston) and the schools vary widely depending on where you live in Cranston, so I would rule that out personally. Foster is beautiful, but very rural for RI, and schools aren't as good as the previous 3 I mentioned.

[ribby84]

I can also speak on behalf of the Bristol public schools and I agee - stay away. I have two in K and 1st and we are moving out of RI because of the schools. RI has some great charter school - 11 I think. They are lottery for K. and then siblings get in, and you can live wherever you want. They are public but they do not have to report to a school board so they are able to be more creative in their curriculum.

[rockfisherman]

Originally Posted by Chili

Housing seems pretty expensive, but we've been spoiled with a 15-20 min commute and can't bear the thought of an hour in the car each way. I am worried after reading posts about traffic and people (things I don't remember being concerned about). Appreciate your insight

Do a google on "rimonthly". In the September 2006 issue they had an article about best places to live in RI. They have back issues. It was a cutesy article, but you may want to check it out anyway.

Yes, housing is expensive, and the traffic is a lot worse than it was 20 years ago. And the amount of agressive driving is getting worse, too.