Moving to RI (Providence, Warwick, Newport: crime, homes, unemployment)

[RI Bound]

My husband and I are relocating to RI currently from the Boston area; Andover MA up on the North Shore to be exact. Before moving to the North Shore, we used to live in Scarsdale NY, a short ride to NYC.

We enjoy living in quiet suburbia with good neighbors and only a short (half-hour) ride into the nearby city. We're moving down to RI this summer and seem drawn to Barrington, East Greenwich, Portsmouth, South Kingstown, Tiverton.

We have a sailboat so we would like to be near a marina. We have a little one due in October, so a good public school system is also ideal.

Any ideas/advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I would really love some locals feedback since the research we're doing is strictly by town data/demographics. Thanks

[Hollytree]

Any of the the towns you mentioned would work. For schools, I'd rank them in rough order as Barrington, Portsmouth, East Greenwich, South Kingstown, Tiverton. Pros and cons of these towns have been often discussed on this board- do you have a specific question?

[ljd1010]

I completely agree with Hollytree. Although Tiverton is lovely, it is truly out of the way. East Greenwich has several marinas which would be minutes from home if you choose to live there. I think Barrington is quite similar to Scarsdale and has the best schools.

[RI Bound]

From what I've been reading on the other posts, lots of people moving into RI seem to gravitate towards Barrington. What exactly is the appeal of the town that everyone is drawn to?

We've been looking at homes near Wampanoag Trail. Is there a side of Barrington with better schools/taxes/overall? Or is there a side of town to stay out of?

[ljd1010]

Originally Posted by RI Bound

From what I've been reading on the other posts, lots of people moving into RI seem to gravitate towards Barrington. What exactly is the appeal of the town that everyone is drawn to?

We've been looking at homes near Wampanoag Trail. Is there a side of Barrington with better schools/taxes/overall? Or is there a side of town to stay out of?

Yes, the Wampanoag/West Barrington area is considered less desirable/less upscale. Take a look in Nyatt, Rumstick, Hampton Meadows.

[RI Bound]

I take it then that those other areas of Barrington have a better school system and resale value?

[Hollytree]

West Barrington is a previous summer colony area of small cottages near the water. It's perfectly charming, but best for someone who can do with a small lot, a small house, and who wants to be near a boat launch.

Barrington is popular with young more affluent families because it is clean, non diverse, suburban, scenic, and has a decent school system- with emphasis on the decent school system. I've heard people complain that the schools are nothing special but half way decent public schools are tough to find anymore. Taxes are considered high- higher than we pay here on the East Side of Providence.

[Silver Lake Patriot 1970]

(RI Bound if you would like to ask me any questions, just request my email address and I'll be happy to do any research for you)

Greetings all. Although I am a new member to this forum, I am not a new member to RI. I have lived here almost 40 years and I have lived in many parts of the state. As a very community minded individual and middle class blue collar worker, I'm sure I can qualify to answer with some real Rhode Island information from the pulse of the current working class. I have lived almost everywhere here. I have friends in every city in RI. I helped in major elections in state and city government. I have been in Public Relations for the Film and Television Industry. I have helped transform the image of the Arts Community in Downtown Providence (before this recent Administration). For work, I am an inspector traveling to many major inner city communities and I can tell you just about anything you might need to know about them.

The cities you have mentioned in your first post are indeed by appearance alone a fine place to experience, but living in those places is all together different than what you might expect. I have spent some time at the North Shore of Boston and coming from there to here might be a bit of an adjustment for you. Cities in RI are a microcosm of Rhode Island as a whole. Each town has its own charter and they are each unique. They all have good points and bad points. You can do a search on demographics, crime statistics, and school quality on your own. In my opinion, each city and town has its good points and bad points. Barrington is very expensive (in my opinion) and frankly its not really any better than East Greenwich for that matter. Taxes are wicked. The schools are fair, but all public schools in RI these days will be faced with academic challenges as mentioned above. If you want to live in a family oriented clean quite neighborhood thats close by the water and you don't want to break the bank account there are some really nice areas right near me. The streets around me have well kept nice homes in good neighborhoods and good schools where you can really be close by all the amenities you will want. I have younger kids that go to a brand new school here and they really like it.


If I start making stereo typical remarks, people will be offended, but having lived here all my life I am entitled to my opinions. Barrington is way over rated. Warren and Tiverton are nice to visit, but they also have a serious problem with drugs and Alchohol - as does Barrington. The Eastern corridor provides nothing really but a traffic jam if your traveling to and from Providence over the 195 Bridge. I live near the Warwick area a few miles from Appanaug which is right on the water. In the summer time, Main street has a lot to offer at an affordable price with great food, entertainment, theater shopping - even for your sailboat docking fees! I have owned three boats and lived down there its alot of fun. And it doesn't cost alot.

I wouldn't go with what anyone says on here about schools unless they are members of the state department of higher education. Check with reliable resources but remember that as the higher rating goes, so does the cost of living and taxes and everything else.

[Hollytree]

"Warren and Tiverton are nice to visit, but they also have a serious problem with drugs and Alchohol --- The Eastern corridor provides nothing really but a traffic jam if your traveling to and from Providence over the 195 Bridge."

Really??? How do you know???? And Apponaug (note correct spelling of the area you live in) has no one who drinks?

[sidekick]

While RI is beautiful, beware the economic status of the state. The highest unemployment in the country, 49th highest taxes, massive corruption with the state government, totally unfriendly business climate and most recently listed by Forbes magazine as "the most difficlut place in the US to make a living!" Reconsider a neighboring MA suburb like Seekonk or Rehoboth. Good schools, MA taxes and still near the water. I know as I keep my boat in Portsmouth and only about 30 mins from my home.
Barrington aka "Borrington" has had much publicity with the teen drinking problems. Snobbish and overrated. East Greenwich is too far south for me and marinas suck. East Bay is best for your boat as great access to Newport and the open ocean.
Hope this helps!