Question About Newport (Providence, Pawtucket, Westerly: rentals, homes, neighborhoods)

[smithneck]

I am trying to see if any town in Rhode Island might fit what I am looking for.
I'm looking for some kind of area that is mid sized, has options for a young adult to go with a young adult population.

To give you a better picture...I really Portsmouth, NH, and was wondering if Newport was similar...or much more of a resort and getaway for rich people as opposed to an affordable young person spot...and if not...any towns in Rhode Island that might go?

[Hollytree]

Portsmouth NH is more of a blue collar town with a small historic downtown core that has been made trendy. Based on that, I suggest you try Warren or Westerly. They would be similar and much more affordable than Newport.

The East Side of Providence would also fit the bill especially for young people due to the college crowd, but I certainly wouldn't call it affordable- perhaps with room mates or living near to it but not in it.

[Jenkins86]

Rhode Island is so small that I'd recommend living near the expensive area you like and then just go there for fun (and by near I mean as little as 1 mile - in other words you could live a mile away from the east side of Providence, either into Pawtucket or into the North End of Providence).

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by smithneck

I am trying to see if any town in Rhode Island might fit what I am looking for.
I'm looking for some kind of area that is mid sized, has options for a young adult to go with a young adult population.

To give you a better picture...I really Portsmouth, NH, and was wondering if Newport was similar...or much more of a resort and getaway for rich people as opposed to an affordable young person spot...and if not...any towns in Rhode Island that might go?

You could make a comparison between Newport and Portsmouth if you wanted (both excellent towns by the way). I prefer Newport's downtown to Portsmouth's but they're both cool. Newport has been popular as a tourist hot-spot for much longer than Portsmouth has and the result is a larger stock of elite residences and neighborhoods. Also, the "elite" areas of Portsmouth are really further outside the city... down towards Rye Beach (Route 1A through Rye Beach is VERY similar to a drive along Newport's Ocean Drive)... than Newport's which make up a large chunk of town.

Don't make the mistake of thinking that ALL of Newport is overpriced though! It isn't. many areas, even adjacent to downtown Newport, have affordable homes at reasonable costs (still maybe a bit pricier than Portsmouth). One thing I've always found impressive about Newport is that the younger locals hold onto their niche and don't get overrun by the summertime tourists. There are many shops, restaurants, bars, etc that are very much local establishments and they're very successful. While Newport may thrive off of the wealthy tourists, it retains the character bestowed upon it by the colorful locals. You'll quickly find which places are popular among the locals (they're often the better places- just off the beaten path) and which are more popular among the tourists.

In short, Newport has nearly all of what Portsmouth has and more. I love Newport and would highly recommend looking into it.

[terrasurf]

Yeah, totally agree with what Irfox says. Newport does has a university and the war college, and the place hops with young people in the summer. It does get real cozy and low key in the winter- so I'd recommend Providence over Newport even more.

[Rhodeislander]

Originally Posted by terrasurf

Yeah, totally agree with what Irfox says. Newport does has a university and the war college, and the place hops with young people in the summer. It does get real cozy and low key in the winter- so I'd recommend Providence over Newport even more.

Dont you think Newport is sort of transient? Summer is great, but everyone leaves in the winter.

[Hollytree]

Everyone leaves? The pop of Newport is 25,000 + or -. People who live there don't leave- unless they're wealthy enough to go south for the winter! But that is true of RI and NE in general.

[ediet]

I am sorry, I think Newport stinks. If you can't afford to live there in a fantastic area like the 5th ward, Ocean Drive or the Point, then don't even try. In the summer you can't get anywhere and in the winter there is nothing to do. For a single, young person I would probably recommend Bristol. You can live close to the downtown area pretty reasonably, you have Colt State park for the great beaches and you are only about 1/2 an hour away from Providence. Either that or Federal Hill area in Providence(you can find a decent, affordable rental there, even if it is just you). Westerly is nice, but it is small and away from everything--more for when you are older and have a family.
Barrington does not really have a walkable downtown. Warren would be my second choice, but it doesn't really have a nice beach.
Good luck~!

[terrasurf]

Nice Waspish community, but Bristol is a snooze fest- there is very little there for young people. Newport may be congested in the summer but it does have more going on, as does Narragansett area and Providence of course.

[Hoxsie454]

Fact is, all these little communities along Narragansett Bay have their wealthy residential areas, and they tend to be right along the waterfront. Newport probably has 300 millionaires who are part time residents but only about 100 who are permanent residents. There are about 25,000 full time residents who are average folk. So, you can get competitive rentals in most towns. Cost of services and living tends to be a bit higher in Newport, Barrington, and Westerly for the same items, in my opinion. Most of the live shows and sports are in downtown Providence, and URI sports at their South Kingstown campus. There are good restaurants all over the state, and of course always bars and cafes if you like booze.