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Newport is an old colonial town which has attracted the wealthy from nearby states for well over a century as a summer vacation spot. It has many quaint streets of authentic colonial era and nineteenth century homes that are lived in today. Because the area is such a tourist draw- mainly for its Gilded Age mansions (known as cottages)- and seacoast vistas, some of it might be considered a little too touristy.
pros: Beautiful town, some gorgeous ocean views, wonderful feeling of history, walkable neighborhoods, lots to do in summer with events and cultural attractions, swimming, boating and yachting capital, not too far to other cities (NYC, Boston, Providence)
cons: Very quiet in winter, houses old and lots small although going further out from the core the lots get a little bigger, generally expensive for middle class living, somewhat isolated for jobs, crowded in summer, water quality not as good as elsewhere in RI.
Would I live there? Sure, if possible!! Jamestown and Middletown nearby are lovely as well.
The big "Newport" beaches are really in Middletown. However, Easton's Beach (first beach) is right on the city line and is within easy walking distance to a large chunk of town. There are some smaller "beaches" out along Ocean Drive, but the fact of the matter is the much of Newport requires a car to get to/from the beaches (at least a bike). Newport has a TON of waterfrontage, but much of it is either rocky or or active harbor (very busy with boat traffic).
In a nutshell, the beaches are close by, but Newport itself is more of a harbor town than a beach community. You shouldn't have any trouble getting to the beach while living in Newport though.
Newport is an old colonial town which has attracted the wealthy from nearby states for well over a century as a summer vacation spot. It has many quaint streets of authentic colonial era and nineteenth century homes that are lived in today. Because the area is such a tourist draw- mainly for its Gilded Age mansions (known as cottages)- and seacoast vistas, some of it might be considered a little too touristy.
pros: Beautiful town, some gorgeous ocean views, wonderful feeling of history, walkable neighborhoods, lots to do in summer with events and cultural attractions, swimming, boating and yachting capital, not too far to other cities (NYC, Boston, Providence)
cons: Very quiet in winter, houses old and lots small although going further out from the core the lots get a little bigger, generally expensive for middle class living, somewhat isolated for jobs, crowded in summer, water quality not as good as elsewhere in RI.
Would I live there? Sure, if possible!! Jamestown and Middletown nearby are lovely as well.
Great response. The only other con I can think of is they're thinking about raising the toll on the Newort Bridge again. What's it going to be now, $4.00 one-way?
Going up and around through either Barrington or Fall River is a hassle.
Newport is a great place to live during the off season. There are so many people from elsewhere in the summer, even locals can't feel local. People seem to forget that what makes Newport unique is that it is a small city- the original City by the Sea. So there are a whole lot of places that are much quieter in the dead of winter, but come Jan and Feb it does feel quiet because many residents have the means to go elsewhere.
There are also a lot of different things to get involved with, and a lot of semi-locals from other places, because of the Navy, and other stuff. People are welcoming, and its not stuffy. Newport also has great history, going into the present with the Jazz and Folk Fests. I do think it helps though to have money, a decent job, or be in retirement.
Lastly, there are at least 5 beaches facing the Atlantic in short biking distance. Water quality is as good as anywhere. Unfortunately the main beach and tourist draw has had a seaweed problem which they are forever trying overcome.
Great Pictures! It makes me homesick for Newport. I used to sail by all of the waterfront homes and marinas in those pictures. The water is so much bluer there and the wind is so much more predictable and steady than Charleston, Sc where I am now. Athough here you can go sailing and have a dolphin swimming along beside you that you'd never have in Newport...or for that matter a Manatee if you are on a river or a creek. I miss the refreshing cool water temps also. Here the ocean can get past 90 degrees in the summer and the air temps past 100.
Oh well. It is just different here--nicer in some ways, not as nice in others.
By the way, I used to live on Gibbs Ave west of Bliss. It was walking distance to most everything, beach, harbor, restaurants, shops while also being close to the Newport Bridge. It was convenient to everything.
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