Also thinking of moving to Providence area

[ontheroad]

Could you clarify your last sentence about salaries. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Apple Annie

You can search for homes on the Rhode Island Statewide Multiple Listing website, and enter your criteria for the various cities and towns. It is updated 4 times per day, so you can depend on the content. The addy is: www.riliving.com Another good site, although paid for by the Realtors is: www.rejri.com Real Estate Journal RI Property taxes in MA are definitely lower than Rhode Island because MA passed a Proposition several years ago putting a cap on increases. I forget the # offhand. Prop. 1-1/2 or something similar. Remember too that the salaries are higher in RI and MA, and makes cost of living relevant.

[Apple Annie]

From personal experience, salaries in northeastern MA (Boston and suburbs) are at least $8,000 (or more) a year more for the same job than they are anywhere in RI. That is why many people like to live in northern RI, and either drive or take the train to Boston to work. The following was calculated from CNN Money website and shows you will need a minimum of $43K in Boston vs. Prov. As we all know, these figures are never accurate. Higher salaries than shows are actually paid in MA (Boston & suburbs) because as you can see, cost of living in MA is higher. But .... homes in RI are still less.


Salary in Providence RI: $40,000
Comparable salary in Boston MA: $42,800.38

If you move from Providence RI to Boston MA...

Groceries will cost: 0.527% less
Housing will cost: 6.814% more
Utilities will cost: 12.16% more
Transportation will cost: 6.241% more
Healthcare will cost: 20.059% more

[ontheroad]

Thanks for the clarification. This was my experience.

Originally Posted by Apple Annie

From personal experience, salaries in northeastern MA (Boston and suburbs) are at least $8,000 (or more) a year more for the same job than they are anywhere in RI. That is why many people like to live in northern RI, and either drive or take the train to Boston to work. The following was calculated from CNN Money website and shows you will need a minimum of $43K in Boston vs. Prov. As we all know, these figures are never accurate. Higher salaries than shows are actually paid in MA (Boston & suburbs) because as you can see, cost of living in MA is higher. But .... homes in RI are still less.


Salary in Providence RI: $40,000
Comparable salary in Boston MA: $42,800.38

If you move from Providence RI to Boston MA...

Groceries will cost: 0.527% less
Housing will cost: 6.814% more
Utilities will cost: 12.16% more
Transportation will cost: 6.241% more
Healthcare will cost: 20.059% more

[twinpod]

Thank you all for your great advice. I visited RI about a week ago and probably still need to check it out again. Bristol and Barrington were very attractive places which I would compare to Marblehead or Newburyport in MA. Rehoboth seemed pleasant and rural. I was not as impressed with the area south of Providence including Cranston and Pawtuxent. Some areas reminded me of Oakland, CA where I have lived before. Unfortunately, I didn't get to Seekonk or north of Providence so I can't comment on those yet.
If my plan to move gets more serious I will contact some realtors in the area and spend another few days looking around.
Thanks!