Family contemplating move to Rhode Island from the South and need the honest scoop??? (Providence: health insurance, low crime)

[sunnymoon]

We are in the very early stages of deciding what part of Rhode Island to live. We are a young family with two middle schoolers and a 3 year old. We love New England and have visited many times and have decided we would love to call it home. Our buisiness allows us to work from home so we are very open. We feel our children deserve to get a great education and learn about a different culture.

What towns are best suited for raising, healthy, stable children? Where are people more accepting of new comers? What about affordable homes in a safe, and pleasant area. Any help would be so appreciated!!!

[terrasurf]

Lots of recent previous posts discussed this. As you know, RI is small, there isn't that much to cover.

[Hundak]

What type of a community are you looking for? Close to the city or more rural? Chepachut, RI, Greenville and Harmony are wonderful towns that are quiet and very "New England-esque" but they're a bit of a drive from the city. If you want a little more hustle and bustle there's Lincoln which has the Twin Rivers Casino. Cumberland is close to the Massachuetts line. It all depends on what you're looking for.

[savvymom]

Safety first.. LOW crime, 15 minutes to the beach.. charming Main Street type downtown with
savvy eateries., cool shopping, artsy, eye appeal.. sidewalks. What town(s) can you name that fall into this category.. safety first though. Anybody??

[ljd1010]

East Greenwich, Wickford (a section of North Kingstown), Barrington, Warren, Bristol.

[ocngypz]

Forget Bristol and Warren. Schools are terrible. Barrington........well I wouldn't call that 15 minutes to the beach.


Try the South County area. Narragansett.. Wakefield...

[emilybh]

Originally Posted by sunnymoon

We are in the very early stages of deciding what part of Rhode Island to live. We are a young family with two middle schoolers and a 3 year old. We love New England and have visited many times and have decided we would love to call it home. Our buisiness allows us to work from home so we are very open. We feel our children deserve to get a great education and learn about a different culture.

What towns are best suited for raising, healthy, stable children? Where are people more accepting of new comers? What about affordable homes in a safe, and pleasant area. Any help would be so appreciated!!!

Is your business part of a really big business where the employer (your boss) handles your health insurance?

Or are you self-employed and responsible for your own health insurance?

If it is the latter, you may want to think TWICE about moving to Rhode Island. Eight years ago the state health insurance regulations become so cumbersome to insurers that all but one national insurer left the state not including the state based and state wide Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island.

The bottom line is if you are needing to be reposnisble for your own health insurance, you will have 2 choices for renewable plans (for carriers) IF you are a business owner with proof of business. If you are not a business owner, for a renewable plan, the only carrier that provides comprehensive renewable coverage is Blue Cross. Here are the rates: https://www.bcbsri.com/BCBSRIWeb/plansandservices/pdf/direct_pay_rate_sheet.pdf

Since as you can see, they are rediculously expensive, there is thankfully one other option that is not a scam (that I, an independent health insurance agent, personally have, that does not have limited coverage with dollar maximums for every benefit offered. If you are moving to Rhode Island no matter what, send me a private message and I can tell you about the one safety net that is truely comprehensive coverage without limits or gaps in coverage that is not ourtrageously expensive where you can have lower deductibles at affordable rates and be able to go to any doctor or hospital anywhere in the USA its territories or Canada.

[Vanilla32]

I've lived in RI for 7 years. It really depends on your budget too. If being next to the beach is a priority then Newport or Narraganset (Greenwich, Kingstown are close to Narraganset). Newport is very expensive and it is an hour drive to get to the city of Providence. I can tell you DON'T live in Woonsocket, Pawtucket or Central Falls. There are good and bad parts of Providence. I personally don't like West Warwick or Johnston, but I wouldn't say it was dangerous. But you will be fine anywhere but the places I mentioned.

[sue64]

....Life Is About Chances & Life Is To Short!!! The North is Beautiful!!! You Will Love It!!!

[Iamtoooldforthiscrap]

HAHAHAH SunnyMoon...I think it's ironic you want to move to RI when just last month you were saying how ignorant Northerners are...Just remember the way you blasted hatred at Northerners who are moving or have moved south, I hope you are ready for the same dose of respect back at ya!