Moving to Rhode Island to work in Smithfield (Providence, North Providence: cheap apartments, rentals)

[Mils]

Hey all,
I have been reading threads on this site for about a week now. There is a lot of really good info for people moving in to the state. I will be starting a contract to work in Smithfield next week and need to find a place to live that is close to cut down on gas expense. A one room, studio, or one bedroom (unfurnished) is all I need but want to be in a nice community. Have been living in Hyde Park (Cincy) for the past 6 months and love it. Can walk to eat, shop, exercise etc. and it's a short drive to work so if I could find a place like this it would be great. Only problem is my rent is 545/mo for a one bedroom including heat. My wife will be coming up for visits so it needs to be clean, safe, nice. Close to a public golfcourse would be great too. Looks like Harmony has a course on US44. Are there any apartments or rentals between work (Douglas Pike and 295) and Harmony that are under 1000 in a nice community? Actually we live in Florida so if I could find something closer to the water and close to 295 I would go for that too! Thanks for your help!

[ProvGuy]

North Providence has cheap apartments and very cheap condos, and it's right on the Smithfield border. You can walk to places on Mineral Spring Ave but keep in mind it's strip mall hell so it won't be a pleasant walk. Centerdale in North Providence is a little more pedestrian friendly.

[Mils]

Thanks for your advice.

[professorsenator]

It's going to be a tough bill to fill. There are nice, walkable places but they aren't nearby. There are nice places nearby (sorta) but they aren't walkable. North Prov. is pretty close but, frankly, it's nothing to write home about.

[Mils]

As I research the apartment scene I can tell that I am going to have to bump up the rent to 1,000/mo or more. What can you tell me about East Greenwich? Would the commute to Smithfield (907 Douglas Pike) be brutal? I found a couple of apartments there that have what I need but they aren't close to the Main drag of EG. Would there be any apartment buildings in that "downtown" area that I might not see listed? If I lived there and could handle the commute to work, that would be closer to the beaches/surf.

[professorsenator]

Originally Posted by Mils

As I research the apartment scene I can tell that I am going to have to bump up the rent to 1,000/mo or more. What can you tell me about East Greenwich? Would the commute to Smithfield (907 Douglas Pike) be brutal? I found a couple of apartments there that have what I need but they aren't close to the Main drag of EG. Would there be any apartment buildings in that "downtown" area that I might not see listed? If I lived there and could handle the commute to work, that would be closer to the beaches/surf.

East Greenwich is a very nice community--considered along with Barrington to be tops in the state. You really can't do much better in RI. I don't know how much I-295 backs up at peak times; my guess is that the commute would not be too bad.

[Mils]

Sounds great...I will scope it out next week when I arrive.
Thanks for your help!

[Hollytree]

Smithfield and the area around it was basically rural not long ago, now despoiled by strip shopping centers & traffic- & not really walkable. There are some cute villages (like North Scituate) around there but their town centers would be only a street or two.

East Greenwich would definitely offer more of a centralized feel. However, if you're only doing contract work which is, I assume, brief and not permanent (?), I'd look in Cumberland for an apt or loft (try Craigslist) and just drive to various beach areas when you have time rather than commute every day to Smithfield.

Then again, if you're willing to drive 35 min or so to go to work, you could live in a lot of towns besides EG as well.

[ProvGuy]

295 gets backed up between 37 and Plainfield Pike every morning, but it's not too bad. It's still a pretty long distance though. East Greenwich has a nice walkable village center with nice restaurants, nightlife, etc. It'd definitely be worth looking into. Have you considered just living in Providence? It's the most walkable part of the state and certain neighborhoods have a small town feel to them.

[Mils]

Thanks Hollytree and Provguy,
If there was a cool neighborhood in Prov with apartments or lofts I would be into that. What I need is a w/d in the apartment and a fitness center with weight equipment. Also would like some place where I can ride my bike without too much traffic. It is a tall order as Professorsenator said.....but I have that here in Cincy in Hyde Park and it is great.
I will check Cumberland too....so far I need to check EG, Cumberland, Prov (East Side??) what streets would be good?
How is that town north of Smithfield with the old mill converted into lofts? I thought about that too...I think it is on Route 5.