Moving to Providence - many questions (Warwick, Cranston: apartment, rent, high crime)

[Auroraayn]

I'm 25, planning on moving to Providence in the next 2 months, and completely clueless on the city. I was considering looking for an apartment somewhere downtown since I've heard it's "up-and-coming", but have some doubts about the safety, etc. I want to be in an area that has a lot to offer activity- and culture-wise but I don't want to have to worry too much about being a single blonde female walking home after dark and such. I've heard that some areas of downtown are "thick with pornshops" as one woman put it, and have a history of some violent crime. Rumor? What would be the best area for a 20-something like myself, interested in the art scene and some night life?

Also, I'm looking for a 2 bedroom at about $800. Is that feasible?

How is the public transit system?

Any insights are greatly appreciated.

-Aurora

[Hollytree]

Providence is not "thick with porn shops"- there may be one or two but you'd have to seek them out to find them. There are lots of college kids downtown now, J& W and RISD primarily. However, if I were you I'd look for an apt in Federal Hill or the East Side. If you can't find anything there- try Riverside and Rumford in East Providence- it's 10 min away. Public transport is RIPTA- google for schedules. There are also safe suburban areas for a single woman in the nearby towns- Edgewood in Cranston, parts of Warwick esp. Pawtuxet Village, etc.

[Rascalion]

The East Side & Federal Hill are the two places you should be looking. $800 for a nice two bedroom is going to be hard to find in those areas. Hollytree gave some very good alternatives.

If you're not shy, you can always hit up the "looking for roommates" adds on craigslist. Lots of grad students/professionals in the area that are always looking for someone to split rent with.

Public transit is pretty good. In the city it's all by bus. Commuter rail to Boston.

[GermanSpy]

Above suggestions for finding a place are good. On your budget I'd stay away from Downtown. Come and visit when you feel like nightlife or restaurants but live somewhere else, that's the way to do it.

[nate14ri]

Hi Aurora, 23 male here. I live on the east side here and wouldn't live any where else. Great area for 20 somethings, lots to see and do with Brown, RISD and JW students abound. I pay 1100 for a good sized 2 bedroom (with one roomate) off of hope st.(safe area) 2 blocks from thayer st and walking distance to wickenden and waverly (all have restaurants, shops, arts ect.) Found my appt on Craigslist. Public transportation is a snap, I can get to kennedy plaza in 5 minutes (I work downtown and have a 5 minute commute how can you beat that?) or I can just walk it to get downtown to all the bars, nightlife, waterfire ect. Riding your bike is also very popular. Also, the east side has 2 Whole Foods fyi. Moved here from boston last year, and to be honest, in my opinion, Providence is much more managable, cheaper, more artsy and fun. Hope that helps.

[ProvGuy]

There's no high crime areas downtown. The area west of Greene St has some sketchy apartment buildings, but I've never noticed anything scary happening around them. 800 for a 2 bed may be a little tough to find, on the east side 2 beds are generally 1000 +. Federal Hill is a little cheaper but be careful about the exact location since there are some blocks that would be scary for some people (i.e. the western blocks close to Route 10).

[stacey02135]

I'm not sure how these forums work but this message is for nate14ri. Sorry to get off topic but I currently live in Boston and am considering moving to Providence. I am very familiar with the city but would like to know what your transition was like from Boston to Providence. Do you find that you miss being in a larger city? Anything that Boston offered that you can't find in Providence?