Need Warwick area info for impending relocation (Providence, Barrington: crime, neighborhoods)

[Apple Annie]

Let's please rely on the factual information, not mis-information.

Anyone can go to the www.riliving.com and put in their search criteria for prooperties. All MLS listings will appear on your search, and will show the up to date taxes on the individual properties.

$6,000 to $7,000 for properties in NK would be more in the range for properties in the $400,000 plus price range which may be newer or larger homes. You won't get much house in NK for $300,000, however, and taxes on those are more in the area of $3,000 plus per year. The tax rate in NK is $15.55 per thousand. RI does have a personal property motor vehicle tax as well, and some areas have a fire district tax.

The link { "About Rhode Island" } right at the top of the RI Living page will bring up taxes for each city by city/town as to the latest rates, and how often each city or town does a re-evaluation or re-assessment.

These are the facts, and are available for anyone who wants to look them up on the RI MLS. Each city and town also has a description of amenities, locations, attractions etc. right there on the MLS website.

[witz]

Can someone give me some backgound information on the Diamond Hill area of Warwick? The elementary school (Harold F. Scott) seems very good but we don't know anything about the neighborhood.

Thanks!

[Apple Annie]

I have friends who live off Diamond Hill Road in that area.... Diamond Hill Road itself is a cut-thru street, always has been. To avoid Route 2.

As for the area itself, it is older, there are well kept and unkept homes up there. Many are on a slab with no basement. In RI, it is not prudent to buy a home on a slab, so prices are lower. They don't have the resale value. So someone from another state may not recognize that.

Depends what you're looking for in a neighborhood. There are SO many homes f/s in RI, I'd be looking at several others frankly if the house were right on DH Rd.

[witz]

Apple annie,

Thanks! The house is not on DH Rd and it is on a cul-de-sac...but is this a "safe neighborhood" and a good place to bring-up a family?

Thanks!

[Apple Annie]

Yes, I believe it is as safe as any other suburban neighborhood. When relocating, however, there are two things to check for in any neighborhood. (1) Sex offenders residing there; and, (2) Always check with the police in that area for crime statistics, go in personally if you can. Your Realtor can also give you information or lead you to the proper information for the area in general.

[Empire44]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hi there,
We're relocating to RI from the UK with our kids aged 13 and 14. Would really be interested to get in touch- you mention that you work with families who are relocating? We are trying to find information about schools, friendly family neighbourhoods etc- no ide where to start!
Thanks,
Jessica

[2KidsforMe]

Empire, try using a Direct Message to get in touch with LeeSells

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by Empire44

Hi there,
We're relocating to RI from the UK with our kids aged 13 and 14. Would really be interested to get in touch- you mention that you work with families who are relocating? We are trying to find information about schools, friendly family neighbourhoods etc- no ide where to start!
Thanks,
Jessica

Your kids may very well need to be pushed ahead a grade or even two --especially if they end up in public school(considering Rhode island schools are weak). My nephew who moved from Maryland to the UK found he was behind when he started school in the UK --and the Maryland schools where he'd been were more academically oriented than Rhode Island Schools.

Anyway, my sister and her family are now back in the US in northern Virginia and my nephew, after being in the UK, (although I believe he was at a private boarding school for boys), found he was ahead in most areas in a very good Northern Virginia Public school system . (He'd been made to take Latin in middle school in the UK and I don't even think Latin is offered in Rhode Island high schools let alone middle schools. If it is offered, it is certainly NOT required the way it was in the UK.)

I think your kids would be more comfortable in a parochial school or private country day school. At least there, they'll be around kids who like school and want to learn.

[traceyr13]

Originally Posted by emilybh

Your kids may very well need to be pushed ahead a grade or even two --especially if they end up in public school(considering Rhode island schools are weak). My nephew who moved from Maryland to the UK found he was behind when he started school in the UK --and the Maryland schools where he'd been were more academically oriented than Rhode Island Schools.

Anyway, my sister and her family are now back in the US in northern Virginia and my nephew, after being in the UK, (although I believe he was at a private boarding school for boys), found he was ahead in most areas in a very good Northern Virginia Public school system . (He'd been made to take Latin in middle school in the UK and I don't even think Latin is offered in Rhode Island high schools let alone middle schools. If it is offered, it is certainly NOT required the way it was in the UK.)

I think your kids would be more comfortable in a parochial school or private country day school. At least there, they'll be around kids who like school and want to learn.

This poster is well known on this board for slamming Rhode Island public education - she's certainly entitled to her opinion, but if you go through the threads, you will find the majority of people disagree with her, and that her statements are opinions based on little and/or skewed facts. If you would like to speak to someone truly educated and experienced with Rhode Island public education, feel free to PM me.

For example, there are public schools that teach Latin in Rhode Island (which the previous poster would not know, since her expertise with education comes mainly from looking at great schools.net) and who teach it well enough that students medal and receive honors on national exams.

Make sure that you really research the facts, and good luck on your impending relocation.

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

This poster is well known on this board for slamming Rhode Island public education - she's certainly entitled to her opinion, but if you go through the threads, you will find the majority of people disagree with her, and that her statements are opinions based on little and/or skewed facts. If you would like to speak to someone truly educated and experienced with Rhode Island public education, feel free to PM me.

For example, there are public schools that teach Latin in Rhode Island (which the previous poster would not know, since her expertise with education comes mainly from looking at great schools.net) and who teach it well enough that students medal and receive honors on national exams.

Make sure that you really research the facts, and good luck on your impending relocation.

Generally the only people that will say the Rhode Island public school system is good, are teachers . By the way, another interesting bit of info that you will find out if you research the FACTS as the above poster suggests, is that not only are RI public schools among the lowest performing in the nation but our teachers are among the HIGHEST paid in the nation.

A national website, GreatSchools.net has info on every school including what percentage of kids in certain grades master what is taught that year in English and Math. In most average to good schools in other states the percentages are in the high 80's and 90's as all but a few learn what they are taught and advance to the next grade. In Rhode Island, two of the best public high schools in the state average only in the 60 to 80 percent range (where as few as 60% of a class--- in one of the BEST schools mind you, will achieve grade level in a subject). In Rhode Island what happens is kids are then allowed to advance to the next grade whether they are ready or not.

Certainly there are a few students who, despite a mediocre education go on to very good schools. Perhaps they are the ones who are lucky enough to be inspired by a good teacher such as the one that takes offence to my comments-- that are based on national statistics.

I only wish I was wrong--- but test scores don't lie.

Just be advised that your kids will find the schools here much easier than in the UK.