Providence? Pawtucket? (North Providence, Newport, Bristol: apartment, renting, house)

[grindy]

I'm considering a job in Fall River, MA. My fiance and I would love to live in a smaller town (more importantly, community) with or near outdoor and social activities for active 30 year olds. I'd like to learn to sail and we both like kayaking, windsurfing and hanging out at the beach. We also enjoy concerts in the park, farmers markets, vineyards, softball leagues, etc. We also would like to have someplace near with interesting restaurants, live music, etc. We'd start off renting and then maybe buy our first house with some property...

We both lived in Portland, ME and really enjoyed it...the location, close to mountains and the beach, AAA baseball team, etc...I like that Pawtucket has a baseball team but have read here that it might not be the best place to live.

I'm from Colorado, lived in Denver, and Seattle and she's from a small town in western Mass. We're not into the hassles of cities such as Boston but it's nice to have a big city is close.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Hollytree]

Check out Tiverton, RI, Bristol, RI, or if you want a bigger town, Newport, RI. Tiverton is about 5 min from Fall River & Bristol, about 10 min (over Mount Hope Bridge from FR). Newport is 30-35 minutes away. All are picturesque seacoast areas. Plenty of boating, bicycling.
Bristol might be the best choice for you with Providence & Newport as a backup for bigger cities & for night life.

[Coem]

The Pawsox rock! Pawtucket is an old mill city that has seen better days however, and probably isn't what you are looking for. I would look into the East Bay communities... Barrington, Warren, Bristol. Providence is a great place if you're looking for a more urban lifestyle. The areas that have all the great restaurants and shops are of course somewhat pricier areas to live.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by grindy

I'm considering a job in Fall River, MA. My fiance and I would love to live in a smaller town (more importantly, community) with or near outdoor and social activities for active 30 year olds. I'd like to learn to sail and we both like kayaking, windsurfing and hanging out at the beach. We also enjoy concerts in the park, farmers markets, vineyards, softball leagues, etc. We also would like to have someplace near with interesting restaurants, live music, etc. We'd start off renting and then maybe buy our first house with some property...

We both lived in Portland, ME and really enjoyed it...the location, close to mountains and the beach, AAA baseball team, etc...I like that Pawtucket has a baseball team but have read here that it might not be the best place to live.

I'm from Colorado, lived in Denver, and Seattle and she's from a small town in western Mass. We're not into the hassles of cities such as Boston but it's nice to have a big city is close.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Much is said against Pawtucket on this forum and often I will take issue with it. I am sure there are areas of Portland, Denver and Seattle you would not live in. You will find areas in Pawtucket you would not want to live in. It is a working class city of 75000 with poor urban situations. It does have a AAA baseball team, by the way Portland's team is AA. It has an up and coming arts community. We were in Pawtucket tonight, to see Pendragon(a Celtic Group) at one of the many FREE concerts the city gives downtown and at Slater Park. Check out Pawtucket Arts Festival.

Pawtucket has a large Cape Verdian population in addition to Latino populations. This adds to the city. If you are unconfortable with that don't live towards the city center or near Central Falls. There are great areas in the city, not as diversed, to live in. Darlington, Slater Park, Oak Hill and Fairlawn come to mind. For you I would pick Oak Hill. This is an area bordering the East Side of Providence with all the conveniences of Providence at a lower price. The East Side is filled with adults in their 30's. Living in Oak Hill allows you to walk to many parks and the many restaurants along East Ave and Hope Street. You can easily walk from Modern Diner, an original diner that has been on the travel channel, to The Oak, Blaze, Aspira and many more all within a mile from your possible apartment. Travel is easy from this location without needing to drive thru down city Providence. Bus service is excellent. Boston is but 50 minutes away. The city has many adult softball, hockey and basketball leagues. Yes, you can live closer to the water and in a surburban environment, but in Pawtucket you can get a small city feel. And all the water activities you like are within 40 minutes away.

Good luck

Mark

[gridlock]

I'd look at Rehobeth or Swansea as they are between Fall River and Providence or maybe Westport.

[Pawtuckian]

I can only second what Mr. 2448's very good advice - Oak Hill is a good (maybe the only good) livable Paw. neighborhood - might want to ck out Projo.com and do a search for Oakhill - the newspaper did a little neighborhood article on it a couple of years ago.
You are close to (some folks would say actually are in) Providence's Eastside. And if you don't feel like driving into dwntwn Providence - a bus ride is only twenty minutes.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by mr2448

For you I would pick Oak Hill. This is an area bordering the East Side of Providence with all the conveniences of Providence at a lower price. The East Side is filled with adults in their 30's. Living in Oak Hill allows you to walk to many parks and the many restaurants along East Ave and Hope Street. You can easily walk from Modern Diner, an original diner that has been on the travel channel, to The Oak, Blaze, Aspira and many more all within a mile from your possible apartment.

I'll have to look into OAK HILL...it is also reasonably affordable for a house?

Anyone else have more to say about Pawtucket in general?

[Jenkins86]

Yes, much of the Fairlawn neighborhood is a nice place to live. Check the area bordered by Smithfield/Charles Street/Mineral Spring. Parts of those streets are in Providence, Pawtucket and North Providence, but lots of very well kept, quiet streets.