Family moving to Providence Area (Warwick, Pawtucket: insurance, house prices, safe neighborhood)
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My family is potentially moving to Rhode Island, husband is looking into a job in west end Providence. I know nothing about the area as i have always been a west coaster. We have two little boys under 4 years old and would want to buy a house with a yard in a diverse and safe neighborhood. Everything I've read so far says to stay on the west end, elmhurst, or pawtucket. We are not set on living in the city, a nice beach town within commuting distance would be great too if affordable. Are there any areas that would be good with house prices under $250,000? If outside Providence, are there commuter trains into the city?
For beach towns, Warwick looks like a good fit. The better part is closer to East Greenwich south of the airport. I have some friends that live near the Rocky Point area, but some of the people can be a little trashy. As you head down the coast, E Greenwich and North Kingstown might go for more in housing prices. After that, South Kingstown, Narragansett and the areas towards Westerly are more affordable but I don't know how far you want the commute to be.
Keep in mind if the beach is your thing, it's only 30-45 minutes in most areas to visit the beach areas on weekends. So if you want to go that route, I'd suggest Cumberland, Lincoln, Smithfield, Scituate, Coventry and West Greenwich as affordable good communities but close to Providence.
There is a commuter train that runs from Wickford (North Kingstown area) to Providence daily but this train also continues on to Boston so the runs might be limited. Other than that, I wouldn't suggest taking a commuter train into the city.
I think you should look in Elmhurst first. 250k could get you a decent house there if you keep your expectations modest.
Test your commute in person before deciding to live much further away. As Jvmillion said- any beach towns for 250 or less will be mostly trashy. Also, look out for flood insurance.
Everything I've read so far says to stay on the west end, elmhurst, or pawtucket. We are not set on living in the city, a nice beach town within commuting distance would be great too if affordable. Are there any areas that would be good with house prices under $250,000? If outside Providence, are there commuter trains into the city?
Thanks!
If you plan on using public schools, stay out of Providence and Pawtucket.
In that price range, I would look south of Providence if he will be working in the West End.
My family is potentially moving to Rhode Island, husband is looking into a job in west end Providence. I know nothing about the area as i have always been a west coaster. We have two little boys under 4 years old and would want to buy a house with a yard in a diverse and safe neighborhood. Everything I've read so far says to stay on the west end, elmhurst, or pawtucket. We are not set on living in the city, a nice beach town within commuting distance would be great too if affordable. Are there any areas that would be good with house prices under $250,000? If outside Providence, are there commuter trains into the city?
Thanks!
Under $250,000 is doable in PVD if you have modest expectations for a house and are prepared for the little boys to go to private school. Elmhurst is a diverse and safe family neighborhood where your budget should score you a modest 3 bedroom house. Should urban diversity be a priority, the West End's Armory/West Broadway neighborhood may fit the bill, but singles & couples predominate rather than young families w/children.
As for the beach town, as everywhere, the closer you get to salt water, the more expensive. You would have to want a VERY modest house to afford one on the budget. Northern & Western RI are the least culturally diverse parts of the state.
East Providence affordable safe and will get you something worth your while for your price range check out the riverside area or towards the golf course also not a bad commute from the west end 20 mins
I really appreciate the feedback! My husband is there now and will check out some of these areas. I worry about the schools and definitely can't afford private schools. We've been fortunate to use the university system's preschool program which is affordable, but seems like slim pickings in providence and long waiting lists.
Location: Earth, a nice neighborhood in the Milky Way
3,799 posts, read 2,698,580 times
Reputation: 1609
I have friends who presently have children in the Providence Public Schools, and their children are achieving. The schools aren't without issues, but it is perfectly possible to have your kids go through the public school system and graduate with an education that prepares them to achieve at high levels; that is particularly true if you are active in their education. Admonishments to avoid Providence Public Schools altogether are overwrought.
You said you want a place in a diverse and safe neighborhood. There are many neighborhoods in Providence (and Pawtucket) that fit that bill. The West Side is probably the trendiest of the neighborhoods you mentioned, if that matters to you.
While it is not a particularly active blog, you might search out "Providence Schools (and beyond), a blog written by someone (Jill Davidson) originally from SF who has their kids in Providence Public Schools. I would link it for you but City-Data's policy prohibits me from doing so.
While it is not a particularly active blog, you might search out "Providence Schools (and beyond), a blog written by someone (Jill Davidson) originally from SF who has their kids in Providence Public Schools. I would link it for you but City-Data's policy prohibits me from doing so.
I once made this same mistake myself -- I believe C-D policy prohibits only links to competing sites.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
