Any suggestions on where to move? (Providence, Warwick: real estate, 2010, apartment)

[KoutureKitten]

I currently live in Upstate NY (in a very suburban area) and I plan on moving about April 2010. I have family that still lives in NY, and I know that RI isn't THAT far away. I'd like to live within 5 hours from them, but I want to live near (no more than 30 minutes away from) a beach. I have a 16 year old daughter and she's very artsy, so I'd like to live in an area where she could utilize that. I have another child on the way, so I'll need a good school for the both of them, as well as a safe neighborhood. I'm a nurse, so I'll need to live in an area with a major hospital. My parents will move with us, and I'll need a duplex or a house with an in-law apartment for them. My dad enjoys golfing (perhaps he could join a country club?) and my mom would need to live within 10 minutes of retail stores (as well as a mall). Animals are extremely important to me; I rescue them and I have a lot of my own. I'll definitely need a good veterinary hospital (I currently live near one of the best that NY has) and a very animal-friendly community. I'd like to spend no more than $270,000 on a house, but I'm not sure what I could get for that. I'm not aware if these things are unrealistic, but I would appreciate some advice!

Also, I've been looking at houses in the Westerly, RI/Pawcatuck, CT region, as well as some houses in Warwick, RI and Jamestown, RI, but all of these areas seem so industrial to me. I'm trying to find a town close to a beach, but still somewhat suburban and secluded. Any suggestions?

[ljd1010]

So, which is it? RI or NC? You posted this EXACT same post in the North Carolina forum!

[KoutureKitten]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

So, which is it? RI or NC? You posted this EXACT same post in the North Carolina forum!

I know I did, I'm trying to decide between the two. I'm leaning toward RI/CT though.

[ljd1010]

Fair enough....it really depends on what you are looking for. I was born/raised in RI and just left 17 months ago for NC. RI is an absolutely gorgeous state, rich in history, fantastic beaches, some of the best restaurants ever! My close friends and family are still there. The economy is pretty rough right now. 270K will buy you a decent but modest house in the suburbs (1500 sf ranch for example). There are several good school systems but these areas have more costly real estate (Barrington, East Greenwich and Narragansett). I'm not certain how the real estate prices in these particular towns have changed in the past year, but when I lived there, 270K would not buy much in any of them). These towns are also very close to the water. There are many golf courses in these areas as well. I am also a nurse....there are many nice hospitals in RI (my favorite is Miriam Hospital in Providence where I worked for years). RI Hospital is the largest, about 700 beds, level 1 trauma center. Both of these hospitals are part of the Lifespan system (as is Newport Hospital) and are affilitated with Brown Medical School. There are multiple community hospitals throughout the state.

That all being said...I love living in NC. I'm in Cary, between Raleigh/Durham. It is much more laid back, less frenetic/hectic. 270K can buy you a home that would cost over 400K in RI. Great academic medical centers here - I work at Duke. There is also UNC. I'm a bit farther from the beach that I'd like (about 2 hours) 3 hours from the mountains. It's a great place, but so is RI.....

Good luck with your decision!!

[terrasurf]

Sounds like you got a lot on your plate. You must mean "developed" not industrial, and only Warwick is the more developed place. THere are plenty of rural areas outside of Westerly, and Jamestown is rural, but pricey. Most of Washington County away from the villages is quiet. Being a small state, you're not too far from things, even in the more rural areas. CHances are wherever you end up, you might be able to satisfy your needs.