Updated moving to RI and looking to buy (Providence, Warwick: apartment complex, condo)

[karmstrong924]

Hi! I wanted some updated advice on areas to look to buy. My husband and I are relocating from Denver to Rhode Island for a job that I accepted in Providence. I have heard some general recommendations of where to look, but wanted a little more information.

I was told to look on the East side of providence and Oak Hill area. We are looking for something that is mid 300s or less. We are in our late 20's and currently live in a residential area with easy access to walk or ride bikes to shops and restaurants so that would be nice.

Ideally I would like to be in a walkable area, or a nice neighborhood. I know you can't always have both if you go to a more suburban area (but not looking to be surrounded by chain stores and restaurants), enjoy the "small town" feel.

Wondering what neighborhoods in the surrounding areas would be good to look and avoid- Warwick, Cranston, etc.

We found a new build in East Providence which I know is not a good area, but it is right near the water and the bike path and easily can bike to fox point area... which seems like it would be nice but I would like an insider's opinion on this.

Looking from afar is hard, so any tips or suggestions would be great!!

[massnative71]

Pawtuxet Village (and the nearby Gaspee area), straddling the Cranston/Warwick line would be the first obvious suggestion. Not sure what that budget would buy there these days though. East Providence is kind of a mixed bag, although very little (maybe an apartment complex here and there) that might be considered "bad". Riverside is a good area, near the bike path. I wouldn't hesitate to live there, if that's where this house is (although I think Pawtuxet Village and the other places you mentioned would offer "more" of what you are looking for).

[independent man]

Originally Posted by karmstrong924

Hi! I wanted some updated advice on areas to look to buy. My husband and I are relocating from Denver to Rhode Island for a job that I accepted in Providence. I have heard some general recommendations of where to look, but wanted a little more information.

I was told to look on the East side of providence and Oak Hill area. We are looking for something that is mid 300s or less. We are in our late 20's and currently live in a residential area with easy access to walk or ride bikes to shops and restaurants so that would be nice.

Ideally I would like to be in a walkable area, or a nice neighborhood. I know you can't always have both if you go to a more suburban area (but not looking to be surrounded by chain stores and restaurants), enjoy the "small town" feel. Wondering what neighborhoods in the surrounding areas would be good to look and avoid- Warwick, Cranston, etc. We found a new build in East Providence which I know is not a good area, but it is right near the water and the bike path and easily can bike to fox point area... which seems like it would be nice but I would like an insider's opinion on this. Looking from afar is hard, so any tips or suggestions would be great!!

When it comes to neighborhoods/cities/towns, so much has to do with budget and the size of house you require. Sounds like you want what most newcomers want. However, unless you want small, most of the East Side may be out of your range. Oak Hill is less expensive with much of the same ambiance of the ES. East Providence would be more budget friendly, if you value being near the water &/or bike path. If your eye is toward a good investment, EP's Riverside will be likely be significantly improving - directly along the water.

Also, you might give Providence's budget friendly Elmhurst neighborhood a look because it's walk-able with a suburban, but yet small town feel. Your desire not be surrounded by chain stores/restaurants may make Warwick & Cranston a difficult sell, but there are nice neighborhoods in both which would work with your budget.

If you're looking to buy now, it may be a crazy, very unpredictable market, with the caronavirus situation. Take your time. With a budget in the low to mid $300s you will have plenty of Rhode Island options off the beautiful, but pricey East Side.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by independent man

Also, you might give Providence's budget friendly Elmhurst neighborhood a look because it's walk-able with a suburban, but yet small town feel.

One thing to note about Elmhurst is that while it's a nice suburbanish neighborhood, there is a limited amount of stuff to walk "to".

Originally Posted by independent man

Your desire not be surrounded by chain stores/restaurants may make Warwick & Cranston a difficult sell,

That is inaccurate. Both are large cities that offer a wide variety of neighborhoods, some of which are "surrounded by chain stuff" and some that aren't. See my Pawtuxet Village example above^

[karmstrong924]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Pawtuxet Village (and the nearby Gaspee area), straddling the Cranston/Warwick line would be the first obvious suggestion. Not sure what that budget would buy there these days though. East Providence is kind of a mixed bag, although very little (maybe an apartment complex here and there) that might be considered "bad". Riverside is a good area, near the bike path. I wouldn't hesitate to live there, if that's where this house is (although I think Pawtuxet Village and the other places you mentioned would offer "more" of what you are looking for).

Thank you! The house in East Providence is on Mauran Ave, close to the East Providence Yacht club and Metacomet Golf Club. Is that the Riverside area?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by karmstrong924

Thank you! The house in East Providence is on Mauran Ave, close to the East Providence Yacht club and Metacomet Golf Club. Is that the Riverside area?

No.

[independent man]

Originally Posted by karmstrong924

The house in East Providence is on Mauran Ave, close to the East Providence Yacht club and Metacomet Golf Club. Is that the Riverside area?

Riverside is generally farther south paralleling the Providence River. Arguably, it ends in Bullock Point. That area is called the Terrace. It's very nice.

[Hollytree]

If I were you I'd look into a condo on the East Side. It is walkable and that is where most in their 20s would be happy- lots of young people, things to do, restaurants, etc.

Your budget is too low for a house on the East Side.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by Hollytree

If I were you I'd look into a condo on the East Side. It is walkable and that is where most in their 20s would be happy- lots of young people, things to do, restaurants, etc.

Your budget is too low for a house on the East Side.

Thank you. If you have some free time and a lot of patience, please post that in this thread.

After having to point out numerous times that people were talking about Federal Hill (Broadway and West Fountain / Luongo Square) while incorrectly calling it the Armory / West End, I just didn't have the patience to correct the incorrect information that several people were posting about the East Side ("it's all college kids and old people, with nothing in between").

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Hollytree

If I were you I'd look into a condo on the East Side. It is walkable and that is where most in their 20s would be happy- lots of young people, things to do, restaurants, etc.

Your budget is too low for a house on the East Side.

I can't agree with this. Even the places along Hope (ivy, etc) aren't good 20 something spots. Wayland isn't (its horrible in fact for that group). Thayer is more college kid than 20 something professional, and not much there now. Wickendon has a few suitable spots (though tend to be older), and Seaweeds on Ives fits. There are just much better places to be for that age range.