Need Warwick area info for impending relocation (North Kingstown: cul-de-sac, work)

[traceyr13]

Yes, schools are weaker in Coventry than in NK. My mil has taught at Coventry HS for several years, and wouldn't send her own kids there, so that tells you something.

NK having an "urban" area - I guess it depends on what your definition of urban is. It's pretty much solely suburban, by my standards.

[LEESELLS401]

North Kingstown seems to be what you are looking for. Economically it is strong, but down to earth. If you need any other information about any town in RI, I work with a lot of families relocating and would love to assist you as well.

[Lula]

Here is a link to statewide school reports.
http://www.infoworks.ride.uri.edu/2007/default.asp

NK is not urban at all, and it has many wooded and rural areas. South Kingstown would be another possibility for you. You can be in Warwick in 30 min. top., plus you are on the coast for the beaches.

If you need more info, I am a RI native...

[raven02889]

Originally Posted by CBA

Hi everyone. I’m looking for some local advice on, what else, schools and neighborhoods—but in the Warwick area rather than Providence. We’ll be temporarily relocating to RI for a 3-year job in Warwick this summer, and we have two young kids (oldest will complete grades 1-3 in RI). We’re interested in finding friendly family neighborhoods with super elementary schools. I’ve read on these threads that Barrington and E. Greenwich have good school districts, but we spent many years in Westchester County, NY (outside NYC) and definitely want to avoid the snob factor that I fear may be present in Barrington and E. Greenwich. To me, a “good” school is not defined by its test scores, but rather is one that funds its art and music programs, fosters creativity and problem-solving skills rather than rote memorization, and is one in which bullying is not tolerated. I don’t want to worry about “keeping up with the Joneses” either. In addition to good schools (charter would be okay—how does this work in RI?), we’re looking for a community with great recreational opportunities, room to roam, newer affordable (300k) houses, within a 30-minute commute to Warwick. Does it exist, and if so, where? Thanks in advance for any advice.

It is very safe area to live, and it isn't too expensive to live, or to buy real estate.

[Apple Annie]

Correct me if I am wrong, but there is very little new construction in Warwick; you have to get further out in the country where there is/was available land and the prices are much higher. www.riliving.com is your best resource; and, of course, a good Realtor is what you need in the area you are interested in.

[Apple Annie]

To: OnTheRoad

Thank you !

[FreewillEllie]

Originally Posted by CBA

Thanks, guys, for the school links. I was just logging on to the computer this afternoon to find and print out school report cards, so you saved me a couple of steps! My husband is hung up on NK because of its proximity to the naval base. Is it more of an urban area there--NK, I mean? I was looking at Coventry...it seems to be more rural, but maybe that is only the western part of the town? Commute times (according to google maps or mapquest) from the eastern part of Coventry seemed to be okay, but not from the western part. The schools seem to be weaker there than in NK, yes? Thanks again for the info!!!! It sure is hard to move to a state you've never been to.

Being a native of RI i would like to say that North Kingston or Coventry are probably your best areas of RI at this time. I am originally from Warwick and we left there in 1985 to move to New Hampshire. It was the best move we ever made. My kids were teenagers at the time and the schools were putting in security alarms because of the violence. For the most part RI is over populated and not many areas left there that is really where I personally would want to raise children. The North Kingston area are still nice areas and so is Coventry or Westerly. West Greenwich is also a nice area. They are all more expensive areas to live in , but are the most suitable . Yes moving to another state can be very hard when you have never been there. I love New Hampshire, but cannot take the severe winters anymore and the cost of heat. My husband and I are planning in the near future to move to Florida. We are looking to the Orlando area. We have heard good and bad about Orlando too, but we will find out what it is like when we get there. Good luck with your move and I hope you will be very happy with your choice of location.

[jupiter2007]

Originally Posted by CBA

Hi everyone. I’m looking for some local advice on, what else, schools and neighborhoods—but in the Warwick area rather than Providence. We’ll be temporarily relocating to RI for a 3-year job in Warwick this summer, and we have two young kids (oldest will complete grades 1-3 in RI). We’re interested in finding friendly family neighborhoods with super elementary schools. I’ve read on these threads that Barrington and E. Greenwich have good school districts, but we spent many years in Westchester County, NY (outside NYC) and definitely want to avoid the snob factor that I fear may be present in Barrington and E. Greenwich. To me, a “good” school is not defined by its test scores, but rather is one that funds its art and music programs, fosters creativity and problem-solving skills rather than rote memorization, and is one in which bullying is not tolerated. I don’t want to worry about “keeping up with the Joneses” either. In addition to good schools (charter would be okay—how does this work in RI?), we’re looking for a community with great recreational opportunities, room to roam, newer affordable (300k) houses, within a 30-minute commute to Warwick. Does it exist, and if so, where? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I would say North Kingstown has one of the best school systems. It's also very beautiful. As to Warwick....PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE AIRPORT NOISE
Whatever you do don't live too close to TF Green airport. The noise will get to you after a while

[trudyjh]

What nearby navy base? There used to be Quonset, but that has long since become an industrial park. Is he thinking the Newport naval base? That is quite a distance away.

[trudyjh]

By the way, property taxes in most of RI are enormous, esp. in North Kingstown, where they are probably the worst in the state. For a house at $300,000 in NK, you will be paying about $6000-$7000 prop. tax annually. Also, homeowners insurance will be very difficult to get anywhere within two miles of the shore.