Where to buy a second home in RI (Newport, Westerly: sales, loft)

[jyyanks]

Hello,
My family is from Westchester County NY and we are considering purchasing a second home in CT or RI. Unfortunately we are not that familiar with the area.

Ideally, we are looking for a nice, safe, quiet, family friendly beach town. It doesn't have to be hustling and bustling like Newport but we would like a nice town center and of course, a beach, preferably within walking distance. I've looked on riliving.com but although I can map places near the water, I have no idea what the neighborhods and towns are like. We are actually going to RI in the next couple of weeks.

Can anyone recommend some towns to look into?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[New Englander]

I would recommend Jamestown or Middletown. Both are on the same Island as Newport and really quaint communities.

Also you might want to check Narragansett, its also right on the water and really nice.

[terrasurf]

Just have to say, Jamestown is an island unto itself. Home sales have only depreciated 5% since 05/06, unlike in other less coastal areas. RIliving has these stats on their >About RI< page. You can take your pick of any of these communities and all of Washington County- places like Richmond, Charlestown, for example- more, quiet country living with villages and big beaches very close. Some villages like Jamestown, or Wickford are in walking distance to a smaller town beach- few are on a big beach expect Narragansett, as mentioned, and ok parts of Middletown near Newport line. Wakefield, Westerly too, all nice areas.

[CaseyB]

Good friends of ours have a summer home in Wakefield, they like it a lot.

[Hollytree]

Also Little Compton and South Tiverton. You could also get a home on an island, Prudence or Block island.

[nate14ri]

Charlestown, Weekapaug, Watch Hill, Narragansett, Block Island. All very popular with New Yorkers as a summer home.

[jyyanks]

Thank you all so much for your replies. There are so many choices thought not sure if budget will dictate where we ultimately end up.

Our budget is about $300K-$400K - do the areas above have homes in that price level? Ideally 3-4 bedrooms but if the area is really idea, we can do with 2.

Within Naragansett - is there an area I should look in. I notice names like "Pier" or "bonnett shores", not sure if there is a difference between the areas listed.

Same goes for Westerly though I know Watch Hill (and Block Island) is way out of my price range.

I'll look into the other areas listed. Coincidentally we will be in Jamestown soon so will definitely check it out.
Thank you again for your help. I asked the same question in the CT forum but got no replies



Thanks again.

[wxjay]

$300-400K will tough for a beachview house in Jamestown, Narragansett, etc. Just to give you an idea, there are 2/2 condos in Jamestown that sell for over $600K.

What size house are you looking for? 4 bed? 3 bed?

[jyyanks]

Thank wxjay! Ideally a 3 bedroom house that is walking distance to a beach (doesn't have to be beachview). I would say a mile or less is what I consider walkable. I can even live with a 2 bedroom if the area is ideal or if it has a basement or loft where I can put sofabeds - I anticipate family dropping by often. I figured it would be tough to find something as I looked at prices at some of the areas listed above (beautiful areas) but they were above my price range.

I was hoping prices had gone down and I'm not afraid of buying a home that needs some fixing up. Are there other less expensive areas I should look at?

[terrasurf]

You could check out some of the neighborhoods south of Rt 1 in Charlestown headed towards Westerly. East Beach Rd, south of Dunns Corner and Charlestown Beach Rd. Matunuck would probably be too seasonal and transient, but maybe I'm wrong. Heading north from Point Judith there are no beaches on that side, but I think there is a nice beach at Bonnet Shores. Homes are large and pricier in there, I beleive. In Jamestown, the Jamestown Shores area north of the bridge on the west side has always been the most affordable neighborhood on the island, and there is a small neighborhood beach.