rhode island's great towns (Providence, Cranston: real estate, to rent, condos)

[karelise]

My family and I are thinking of relocating and I'd love to hear opinions about great RI towns in which to live and raise a family. Our criteria is someplace safe, good public schools, and affordable ( i.e. house for under$230,000). Ideally someplace smaller than 60,000 would be good, though not completely necessary, with some kind of access to arts and culture, even if it's a couple towns away.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. We're also considering Vermont, Conn., New Hamrpshire, and upstate New York. Actually anywhere in the country would work but low crime, good schools, and affordability are the must-haves.

Thanks!

[ontheroad]

Here's a link to check towns and economical development and more

http://www.riedc.com/riedc/ri_databank/31/

My idea of a great town has nothing to do with cost of a house, so I can't help you there.

Some of my favourite towns are: Wickford, North Kingston, Jamestown, Newport, Bristol, Tiverton and Gloucester.

Good luck!

[Apple Annie]

Karelise: As a native R.I.'er, lifelong resident (except the past 5 yrs.), and former Realtor there, I can tell you there are very very few properties under $230,000 in "great" towns. The average home price in R.I. is closer to $300,000 with your criteria. Prices have seen a drop in R.I., and the inventory of homes is greater than it has ever been; however, the prices have not dropped that much. Here is the link you want to research for home prices and locations: www.riliving.com It is the Rhode Island Multiple Listing website for the public. Enjoy!

[Torrey]

It is very hard to find "good schools, decent property taxes, affordable homes, low crime" etc in any place other than where millionaires live these days. Taxes, I am not afraid to say are driving the average person too broke to afford anything nice anymore.

[tarade]

Hi,

I've lived in RI all my life and moved around a little. I've lived in N.Providence, Cranston, Newport, and now I am living in Smithfield.

I agree with the other poster who suggested $230,000 is pretty low. $230 is what you'll get for a dumpy house in either a bad city/town or a dumpy area of a good city/town. Housing prices are ridiculous. I bought a house 1.5 years ago for $275 and it's nothing amazing. We needed a quick move so we settled for this place in Smithfield. It has a small yard and small bedrooms and needs a lot of updating as the interior looks like a 70's time warp.

I just looked at some houses in GA that were more beautiful and $50,000-$75,000 less than what I paid for mine.

That being said, we chose Smithfield because it has good schools and low crime. My street is extremely quiet & safe. I see cops every now and then driving up the street just checking things out. It makes me feel safe knowing they're out there looking but never find any trouble.

Smithfield is also woodsy without being in the sticks and has commodities close by and recreational places like parks, an ice rink, YMCA, and lots of apple orchards for PYO apples in the Fall. It has wealthy areas too but with the wealth comes higher priced homes. Smithfield is a good town whether you live in a neighborhood with lower priced homes or a rich neighborhood.

Hope this helps.

[karelise]

good to know - thanks to everyone for being so candid. I appreciate it.

[thelionskiss]

I am not a realtor but have bought a few houses and followed realestate trends. There are good buys occasionally if you look for them. Craig's list is a good source to find houses or condos being sold by owners. Rhode Island has always been a good buy compared to the major cities within a few hours away.

Be sure to check out the island of Jamestown, one of the safest and nicest places to rent in Rhode Island. It is only a few minutes from the Navy base and has cheaper bridge tokens for those people who live in Jamestown. It has good restaurents, grocery store, hardware store, drug store, post office, schools, library, churches, etc.

[beautyprevails]

I don't agree with the posting about finding a home for 230K strictly in a bad neighborhood or dumpy home. i just bought a home in east providence for 229K in a great neighborhood. it is an older home, 2400 sq ft, 4 bed, 1.5 bath and a great yard. can't complain. real estate isn't as bad as people think. i am from california though, so my input is a bit biased. i went through rhode island housing, which help soooo much.

m

[skytrekker]

Areas to the west of Providence near the Connecticut border- though more rural would have more affordable housing costs.

Median home price for a single family home in greater Providence is around 281K
Look also into some towns in eastern Connecticut where housing is very reasonable in some very pretty towns with good schools.

[artsymeg]

Burrillville.. Voted best place to raise a family on RI, kinda backwoodsy but 20 minutes from there u can get to providence twords the art and culture. My childhood was great there.