Neighborhoods in Providence for late 20s (apartments, lease, houses)

[beth98]

I'm moving to Providence this summer/fall for work and was interested in any opinions people had on the neighborhoods. I'll be working from home so commuting isn't really an issue. Right now I'm in Boston and I'll be commuting down to RI until my lease is up unless I can find a subletter.

I'm in my late 20s and would like to live within walking distance (a mile) of restaurants/bars/grocery stores/a coffee shop/etc. I would like to stay away from neighborhoods that are completely overrun with students, but I've been living in Boston so I'm used to lot of students around and having a mix of students and people my age would be okay. I'd like a safe neighborhood, but I also thing diversity is a good thing.

I have a couple of areas in mind, but I'll wait and see what everyone says.

I can probably afford $1000/month, but cheaper would be better since that way I could put away more money for a down payment on a house. I may try to find a housemate and split a 2 bedroom with someone.

[HopeStreet]

I would look at the Fox Point section of Providence. Very compact and walkable. Wickenden Street, Ives Street, and Governor Street all contain the things your're looking for. Lots of multi-family houses with apartments there. There are a couple small neighborhood markets, and you can ride the #92 Green Line bus route to East Side Marketplace, a bigger supermarket. Your're also within 1-3 miles of other neighborhoods, including College Hill, where Brown University and Thayer Street are located, Wayland Square, the Jewelry District, and Downcity. The #92 route also goes to Federal Hill, Providence's Little Italy. Hope that helps.

[beth98]

That's helpful and definitely the area I had in mind. Are the area's as you go North on the East Side similar? What about the west end?

[RunawayJim]

I'd recommend the west end and Federal Hill. Lots of people in their late 20's and 30's. Lots of restaurants and bars and small neighborhood markets. It's my favorite area. I miss living there. Stay closer to Broadway and away from Dean as the area around Atwells and Dean has a lot of JWU students who are obnoxious. But that's because they have a shuttle bus that runs up and down Dean Street.

Fox Point is also good, but will have more students. As you head north from there, it gets more expensive and more students. Wayland Square is really nice, but one of the pricier areas.

[tps2008]

PC/Admiral/Elmhurst