Moving on up to the East Side.... (Providence, Pawtucket: rental, insurance)

[AshleyTheAmazon]

After a year of living with my boyfriend in our 5 bedroom ranch in Wakefield (RI), we've decided that we're going to move to the Eastside of Providence. He commutes to Westport, MA everyday and the hr drive each way is killing him . I drive 35 mins to Johnston for my job. We're thinking that the Eastside would be a good location to meet in the middle. We're both in our mid 20's. We have a budget of about $1000 a month for rent, after we rent out our house down here. My question is Where should we live on the Eastside. We're seeing some ok places in our price range in Hope (@ Hope & 6th), Fox Point (@ Wickenden & Governor), one on Arnold St., and one at Hope and Cypress. I'm still looking around though. I have a small dog and want to feel like I can walk her at night and feel safe. And while I am a young person who enjoys the occasional festivities, I don't want to be surrounded by raucous partying students all the time. We also have 2 cars, so we anticipate parking being a challenge. So, what areas are safe and worth our time exploring? Thanks!

[ocngypz]

Well.. the areas you've mentioned.....do cater to students.

Not only is parking going to be an issue (you cannot park on the streets overnight), your car taxes are going to be higher.... as well as your insurance. When I moved to the East Side from Newport, my insurance went up 50%! OUCH!

To escape the student life.....nicer properties around Blackstone......Elmgrove (the farther away from S Angell... the better the neighborhood.........Grotto...............nice areas.. but will be out of your price range sad to say.

[scdreamer]

I wouldn't classify Hope & 6th as a student hotspot...I used to live on 5th off of Hope, and it was more young professional/family-oriented. A great spot, in my opinion, with places to eat and shop within walking distance, but also a short stroll to Blackstone.

If you find a rental in that area (called "Hope Village" or "Summit") that offers parking, go for it! Here's the Summit Neighborhood Association website, to help give you a feel for the 'hood:

Summit Neighborhood Association

You could also look into the Oak Hill section of Pawtucket, which is just a bit further North on Hope. Oak Hill has a similar feel to Hope Village/Summit, but is generally less expensive.

[Jenkins86]

I second scdreamer - areas around Hope and 6th are not student ghettos by any stretch (having come from one in Brighton Massachusetts I know one when I see one). I highly recommend that area for someone looking for a nice cross between having stuff nearby but not being in a zoo.

[westcoastbound]

We used to live near Hope and 6th. The closer to Hope, and the farther away you are from North Main, the better the location. I second the recommendation for Oak Hill as well. Hope St. is nice for pedestrians, ice cream, coffee, bakery, restaurants, and other conveniences, i.e. drugstore and dry cleaning. It has a nice neighborhood bustle feel to it.