Southern Rhode Island (Newport, North Kingstown, Westerly: house prices, school districts, living)

[bluecarebear]

My family left Massachusetts 30 years ago. I have always missed New England. Could you tell me about Southern Rhode Island? North Kingston and Washington County?

[wannabee]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

My family left Massachusetts 30 years ago. I have always missed New England. Could you tell me about Southern Rhode Island? North Kingston and Washington County?

Any particular questions not covered on these pages?
//www.city-data.com/city/North-...de-Island.html
//www.city-data.com/county/Wash...County-RI.html

[bluecarebear]

Personal opinions would be nice.

[Hollytree]

Southern RI is very beautiful and many of the towns and villages have retained their rural character. Coastal areas have some wonderful swimming beaches and are well discovered and visited by tourists. Kingston area has URI, a large & beautiful rural campus. There has been more development- mostly strip and mall shopping- in the past couple of decades and traffic can sometimes be heavy on the main thoroughfares. However, you can still find small quaint village areas for which New Eng is famous.

House prices will vary widely. A "House Hunters" property might easily cost in the 500s. Schools are generally small and local.

Do you have more specific questions?

[bluecarebear]

Looking for a small walkable town. An area where I won't need to do a lot of driving to get to the ocean or forests but still be close to civilization. I am looking for a slower pace of life but not that slow. I don't have any children so school districts aren't important. As little snow as possible! I would like to be in a region that is easily accessible to other parts of NE. A perk for me was the surpise of finding out that the MTBA is extended to RI. I realize a low cost of living is almost near impossible in the North but that would be a bonus.

Currently I am considering SE Conn and Southern RI. They seem to fit my needs. To sum it up, I am a mid 40s outdoor lovin' hippie looking for a place near the coast to settle down for good.

Advice is appreciated.

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

Looking for a small walkable town. An area where I won't need to do a lot of driving to get to the ocean or forests but still be close to civilization. I am looking for a slower pace of life but not that slow. I don't have any children so school districts aren't important. As little snow as possible! I would like to be in a region that is easily accessible to other parts of NE. A perk for me was the surpise of finding out that the MTBA is extended to RI. I realize a low cost of living is almost near impossible in the North but that would be a bonus.

Currently I am considering SE Conn and Southern RI. They seem to fit my needs. To sum it up, I am a mid 40s outdoor lovin' hippie looking for a place near the coast to settle down for good.

Advice is appreciated.

Sounds like you would fit right in to either Mystic, CT or Westerly, RI. Both very nice. Especially Mystic which has it's downtown right on the water and very walkable.

[JBtwinz]

Westerly really fits the bill.....it is a great little small town beach community

[treasurekidd]

Looking for a small walkable town. An area where I won't need to do a lot of driving to get to the ocean or forests but still be close to civilization. I am looking for a slower pace of life but not that slow.

I agree that Westerly sounds like a good place for you to look, but you mentioned North Kingstown, so take a look at the Wickford area, it fits perfectly with what you're looking for. Good luck!

[Raiderman]

I always found Westerly to be a tad rundown, especially in the downtown area. I would second Wickford, and would throw Mystic into the consideration.

[bluecarebear]

Much thanks. I have even been searching Richmond/Charleston/South Kingstown. Not sure about Newport. I might want to be closer to the forests for hiking.