Looking for Info on Westerly (North Kingstown, Narragansett: relocating, real estate, job)

[leavingMI]

Hello! My family will be relocating for a job in Groton, CT.

Westerly, RI was suggested as a possible place to live and commute to CT.

We are leaving the Ann Arbor, MI area which has fantastic schools. We have no doubts about finding great culture or outdoor activities by living in RI or CT. We really need to find out about schools and quality of life.

Our children are young and one is already in school. The other heads to preschool next year. How are the Westerly schools doing? Is funding going well? What types of higher education do they attend (trade, community college, 4 year colleges, no school) when they graduate or just leave school?

Also, does Westerly have lots of community involvement from its residents?

Well, I guess that is all I have for now. I'm looking forward to finding out about your area of the country.

[ontheroad]

I wish I could answer some of your questions, but I've only visited Westerly and enjoyed it.

It certainly is in easy commute to Groton and not a bad drive.

I hope someone comes along with proper information.

Good luck!

[Apple Annie]

Westerly is very attractive, close to the ocean etc., pricey neighborhoods depending on what type of housing you are interested in. The downtown is very quaint and charming. What I don't understand though is why live in RI and work in CT ?

There are some beautiful towns near Stonington CT, No. Stonington for example is so nice. Take a 20 mile radius of Groton, and especially around the CT River, very nice.

Lived in RI all my life; and very familiar with Groton and New London; but cannot respond to the school question. I can tell you that CT has much more to offer; and would be my choice because of the corruption, screwed up government, high taxes, overpriced property etc. in RI.

[traceyr13]

I would not choose Westerly for the school system. There are (I believe) some excellent public school systems just over the line in CT - North Stonington comes to mind.

[Catlily71]

Originally Posted by leavingMI

Hello! My family will be relocating for a job in Groton, CT.

Westerly, RI was suggested as a possible place to live and commute to CT.

We are leaving the Ann Arbor, MI area which has fantastic schools. We have no doubts about finding great culture or outdoor activities by living in RI or CT. We really need to find out about schools and quality of life.

Our children are young and one is already in school. The other heads to preschool next year. How are the Westerly schools doing? Is funding going well? What types of higher education do they attend (trade, community college, 4 year colleges, no school) when they graduate or just leave school?

Also, does Westerly have lots of community involvement from its residents?

Well, I guess that is all I have for now. I'm looking forward to finding out about your area of the country.

Westerly is a lovely town. The two things about Westerly are: it is expensive and it gets very, very crowded in Westerly in the summer.

BUT...in the summer, the park is lovely. http://www.westerlylibrary.org/conte...ils.php/id/102

Wilcox park is like heaven on earth, there is Shakespear in The Park, The Westerly Pops. There are parades...I can go on and on.

http://www.westerlylibrary.org/


http://riroads.com/links/listdetail.cgi?Lookup=378730

There is The Community College of Rhode Island.
http://www.ccri.edu/

Rhode Island College http://www.ric.edu/

[Apple Annie]

If you go back in this RI topic, you will find other discussion about living in Westerly RI and working in CT. In particular, about the school system in RI.

There are some beautiful areas around Groton CT with great schools, and may be a better fit for your family. Stonington, No. Stonington, Mystic, and so forth.

I am very familiar with Ann Arbor also, and may I honestly say that you will could find Westerly not to your liking. As the previous poster said, it is very much a tourist area, and summer residences abound for NY'ers.

Google maps should be helpful to you searching out areas west and north of Groton. Remember, the closer you are to the ocean, the more pricey it gets. Hope this helps.

[Catlily71]

Annie is right, and it is more crowded in Westerly in the summer....getting five miles down the road is a challenge in the summer.

PLUS many people from New York are moving to Westerly(I think they live there on the weekend) and that is driving the taxes up etc.
BUT if I had to choose between Groton, Mystic, Westerly, I would probably pick Westerly.

[LEESELLS401]

Westerly is beautiful year round. It is a great place to live. The school systems are wonderful and it provides it's Community with a great quality of life. If you have any other questions regarding the current real estate market you may email me. I can send you any information that you would need. I hope you choose to live in this beautiful state it has a lot to offer.

Originally Posted by leavingMI

Hello! My family will be relocating for a job in Groton, CT.

Westerly, RI was suggested as a possible place to live and commute to CT.

We are leaving the Ann Arbor, MI area which has fantastic schools. We have no doubts about finding great culture or outdoor activities by living in RI or CT. We really need to find out about schools and quality of life.

Our children are young and one is already in school. The other heads to preschool next year. How are the Westerly schools doing? Is funding going well? What types of higher education do they attend (trade, community college, 4 year colleges, no school) when they graduate or just leave school?

Also, does Westerly have lots of community involvement from its residents?

Well, I guess that is all I have for now. I'm looking forward to finding out about your area of the country.

[traceyr13]

Lee - I'd love to know what basis you are judging for "the school systems are wonderful". Westerly is widely known by educators in the state as being a weak system, especially in comparison to other southern RI areas like NK or East Greenwich. I would put Westerly pretty much on par with Chariho, to be honest.

I'm sorry I just get really annoyed when it seems like a realtor is trying to drum up enthusiasm by telling people that don't know the area false information.

[Lula]

Hi There,
Don't be afraid to look further out in RI. I know coming from a big state it is hard to remember how tiny RI is. We can make it to Mystic anywhere from 15-45 min. Narragansett has a great school system, South and North Kingstown are both good as well. Here's a link to school reports for the whole state.

http://www.infoworks.ride.uri.edu/2007/default.asp

RI is home to major colleges and universities and many private schools. Best of luck with your move.