perspective on providence, pawtucket (East Providence, Newport: low income, apartments, lofts)

[tcmuse]

my boyfriend and i are considering areas to relocate to after ten years in NYC. i'm originally from MA, he's from OH, and we spent many years in boston (allston) and portland, ME. anyway, i'm posting because i was quite interested to see all the loft developments in both Providence and Pawtucket (as well as other areas of RI) and was intrigued by this possibilities. however, in reading many of the listings on these forums, there are so many posts about how terrible the areas are, how crime ridden everything is, how depressed/urban/blighted, etc...my question is, compared to what? we love most of NYC, but need to be able to lead a more affordable existence and love the idea of living in a restored industrial space. for anyone who has a perspective from both of these areas...are the art districts/loft areas really so bad? any feedback greatly appreciated. thanks!

[skytrekker]

I would hardly call Providence or nearby Pawtucket horrible blighted crime ridden areas.


Downtown Providence is quiet attractive now- with much going on. There are a few areas that are edgy- but compared to other places its hardly bad. The lofts in Providence are adjacent to Providence Place and downtown- areas that have undergone an urban renaissance over the last decade. I do not have enough data for Pawtucket.

[Hollytree]

There are brand new loft renovations in East Providence- the old Rumford (baking powder) Chemical Co which are looking very nice- these bldgs are in a nice suburban neighborhood and would be very safe & quiet.
History - Rumford Center

If that's too tame, either the downtown (as Skytrekker said) or some of the others would be OK but many are in areas which, of course, were industrial for decades (Pawtucket was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in the US) and are still quite gritty and surrounded by low to very low income workers. The bldgs will not have the amenities around them that you would expect coming from NYC but- still- you're as close as a quick train or car ride to come check them out. In order, I'd do Rumford, Downtown, first, then Rising Sun, etc.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by tcmuse

my boyfriend and i are considering areas to relocate to after ten years in NYC. i'm originally from MA, he's from OH, and we spent many years in boston (allston) and portland, ME. anyway, i'm posting because i was quite interested to see all the loft developments in both Providence and Pawtucket (as well as other areas of RI) and was intrigued by this possibilities. however, in reading many of the listings on these forums, there are so many posts about how terrible the areas are, how crime ridden everything is, how depressed/urban/blighted, etc...my question is, compared to what? we love most of NYC, but need to be able to lead a more affordable existence and love the idea of living in a restored industrial space. for anyone who has a perspective from both of these areas...are the art districts/loft areas really so bad? any feedback greatly appreciated. thanks!

Many of the new lofts are in areas one might not venture out into at night, esp. in Providence. There are lofts in th Jewelry district and it is a safe area with much night life. Clubs close at 2 AM and it can get pretty wild. I know people living in Rising Sun and they love it. Young Professionals, but they stay away from the hood around it. West End lofts are the same way. The Foundry down city are more apartments than lofts, but check them out. Downtown Pawtucket has a few new lofts as the artist district keeps expanding there. Because there is no hood around the Pawtucket lofts they are probably fairly safe, except fo the fact there is no where to walk to in downtown Pawtucket, except to the Modern Diner.

[GermanSpy]

Not quite sure why some people suggest for you to move Downtown when you're looking for restored industrial space. Stick with suggestions like the Jewelry District or Pawtucket, even Rumford as just mentioned. We have mostly restored office buildings in Downtown or brand new construction, not much "industrial" here.

Also, since you say you're from NYC and love it there I suggest to take a day off and come see us in Providence. Check out the 'renaissance' city's Downtown on a Tuesday night, for example, when there's no water fire or crazy college crowd howling in the streets.

You might be surprised at the lack of things going on. Providence is no NYC, not even close. So keep that in mind.

Good luck on your search.

[tcmuse]

thank you all very much for your suggestions and responses. we will definitely take a weekend to come check it out. i know it's unlikely we will find a cheaper, safe but equally diverse, edgy, and fascinating NYC anywhere else, but we're keeping an open mind . i am looking forward to checking out all the areas and ideas suggested. thanks again!

[1979]

If you're travelling to Providence you'll probably notice some cranes over the downtown skyline. Like many cities, Providence went a bit overboard with its building, now as a result bargains can be had quite easily. Neighbors of mine moved from their beautiful Dutch colonial in the Elmhurst section of the city to a brand new loft near Elbow street. Some people will refer to this as jewelry district, but considering Providence is the costume jewelry capital of the world with many of the QVC items made right here--there is jewelry district scattered all over the place. The loft my neighbors moved to was actually quite astonishing; granted I think they paid about 550K but it was really spectacular. There are many to choose from in various parts of the city, and since there is a glut, bargains are sure to be available.

Providence has a considerable amount of convenience. If you're into fine cuisine, Providence probably even overshadows Boston on the amount of top rated restaurants. Emeril LaGasse, world famous chef comes from nearby Fall River and may have gone to school here in town at Johnson & Wales which is tied for the number one culinary school in the U.S. If you like shopping we are loaded with full-scale malls, with many in nearby Mass as well.

[clc]

I moved to Darlington in 2006 with my Husband and two young sons. I would never move to an unsafe neighborhood. We are very happy here. Trash pick up is free(used to pay privately at our Mass. home) we have street sweeping to keep areas clean, there is a revitilization coming through this small city and the old mills that once were the lifeblood of Pawtucket, are being turned into beautiful loft lving. We have a beautiful park off Newport Ave., Slater Park, with a Loof Carousel, walking and bike paths, playground, animals, and Dagget farms for yummy snacks. We have Farmers Markets every Sunday. You have a 20 min drive to Providence with easy public transit, shopping, dining and culture. My neighborhood is an older neighborhood, as most of Darlington is, bult in 1947-1950's consisting of Cape style homes. Most of the people here have lived here for 40+ years. I sit outside in my garden and all I hear is birds, some dogs occasionaly and children playing. My children attend Fallon Elementary and are doing well. The school scores are not all that high but are improving. My children are not lacking the educational resources they need to succeed in this day and age. Rhode Island actually has really high standards. We are smack in the middle of N.Attleboro and Seekonk Mass. Pawtucket is a great location for someone who works in Providence, want's all the convienences of city living with a quiet hometown feel.