Considering moving to Providence for a year...I'll explain... (Pawtucket: apartments, rentals)

[happytrvlr]

My cousin will be starting college at Johnson & Wales in the Fall and my aunt and I were throwing around the idea of moving to Providence for a year to help her adjust. As much as she claims she wants to leave home, she has also casually asked if I plan on moving again (I've lived in several different states over the years), and has said she wouldn't object if my aunt (her mother) decided to move out there (which says a lot because they don't see eye to eye on most anything these days). I would hate for her to not make it through her first year because she's too homesick, and am trusting that after a year she would feel settled, have friends, etc.

If we do decide to move, what neighborhoods would be the best as far as safety and rent? Could we find a decent 2BR for $800-$1000/month?

I've read several posts on this forum and it sounds like Wayland Sq. and the East Side are nice areas. So, if I were looking on Craigslist for an apt. would it be listed as "East Side" or are there several neighborhoods within this area? And if so, which ones would you suggest?

As for jobs, I've also read about the high unemployment and was wondering if it's possible to find a reasonable paying job at one of the hospitals (non-medical...office work,etc.) or universities?

What other New England cities, in close proximity (30min. - 1 hr) to Providence, would you recommend?

I've heard wonderful things about New England (history, culture, restaurants, the leaves in the Fall...), and hope to experience it all first hand.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[terrasurf]

RI and the providence area really isn't the place to come and try to make it right now unless you are sure you can get a job. Doesn't sound like the best circumstances, having two peaple tag along, in my opinion, although you do sound well meaning. The East Side is very nice and maybe the only option for you in Providence, unless you know the area; I would find out specifically J&W students do live; downtown is expensive and I'm sure she'll want to be close to school.

[terrasurf]

But yes you could find a 2 bed lower-end Place for under 1K on the East Side, probably the northern part near Pawtucket.

[ocngypz]

2 bedrooms in your price range will be dumpy and depressing and have heating bills resembling the national debt.

Lovely units can be had on the Eastside, however, you would have to pay twice as much as your budget.

Jobs?????? No.. none that would provide you sufficient income to live. Our hospitals are cutting jobs right and left.... even professional medical staff.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by ocngypz

2 bedrooms in your price range will be dumpy and depressing and have heating bills resembling the national debt.

Lovely units can be had on the Eastside, however, you would have to pay twice as much as your budget.

Jobs?????? No.. none that would provide you sufficient income to live. Our hospitals are cutting jobs right and left.... even professional medical staff.

Informative...I was also thinking of Providence...but the OP asking for $800-$1000 for a 2-bdrm...that sounds depressing if that's what you'd get.

Granted that would just get you a miniature studio in Manhattan...but you'd think Providence would be decently more affordable than there...

[wri001t]

Providence Apartments for Rent - House Rentals in Providence, RI

[Newdaawn]

Let the girl go to school and make new friends. Most freshman go through that adjustment and survive. It's part of becoming an adult. If she is so homesick that she needs 2 adult relatives to move with her, then she isn't ready for college.

[urbie]

Originally Posted by happytrvlr

As for jobs, I've also read about the high unemployment and was wondering if it's possible to find a reasonable paying job at one of the hospitals (non-medical...office work,etc.) or universities?

Absolutely nothing. D-E-D dead! The worst job market I've seen (speaking from having been laid off in '91 and twice more in later boom-and-bust tech cycles of the '90s and early '00s).

Do not come here unless you can somehow line up a job first, because you will not have an easy^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hbe able to find a job here until the economy improves.

My wife works in Massachusetts, and I worked there for a year (before my contract ended). I've also had a number of calls about contracts in CT. But RI? Nothing, nothing, nothing. Wonder why that is?

Urb