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Living a College Town Lifestyle in Providence, Rhode_Island

A bustling, busy, and beautiful college community, Brown University, Providence College, and Johnson & Wales, among others, are located here in Providence. It is the capital of Rhode Island and one of the largest cities in New England.  It was founded by Roger Williams as a place where refugees from Massachusetts could experience religious freedom. It is a jewelry center.

A bug attraction of Providence is being a fun college town. The city has also worked hard to reinvent itself with many imaginative urban renewal projects along three rivers that had once been paved over . Today a delightful pedestrian waterfront, Waterpark Place, draws in tourists with its bridges, gondolas, cobblestone walkways and entertainment . From Providence you can easily take a train to Boston or New York, or a ferry to Martha's Vineyard. The Rhode Island beaches,  some of the best in the nation, are close by.

Photo of skyline courtesy of Wikipedia via Flickr and boliyou. Photo of Waterplace Park courtesy of Wikipedia and Loodog.

Where to Retire in Providence and Home Prices

You can live downtown in the city or the suburbs. There are some active adult communities in the area. If you go out of town you can live on or along the water - because of its many bays and ocean frontage, Rhode Island has an amazing coastline. According to the NAR, the median selling price in Providence-Warwick RI region was $431,700 in the 4th quarter of 2022.

What Is Special about Providence

Providence is now known as the Renaissance City. Waterplace Park, the reclaimed area over 3 rivers is one of the most successful urban renewal projects in the country. Providence is an exciting urban environment and bustling college town. It is conveniently located on the coast and I 95.  The scenic beaches and bays of coastal Rhode Island are very accessible.

What Is Not Special about Providence

Taxes are high in Rhode Island and its fiscal health is one of the weakest of any state.

Climate and Physical Environment

Providence is located on I 95 about 50 miles from Boston and an hour from Cape Cod. Rivers and bays connect the City to the Ocean. The average july high is 83 and the average January low is 20. The wettest month is March (4.4")

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Cultural institutions include Opera Providence, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory.  The Providence Public Library is first-rate with 9 branches and a charming  Athenaeum. Residents can college sports at Brown and Division I basketball at the Friars of Providence College.

Crime

As is typical of a city, the crime rate in Providence is above the national average.

Medical Facilities

There are several hospitals located here including Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital.

Transportation

Transportation options include Amtrak, I 95, TF Green Airport with its discount carriers, as well as fast ferry service to Martha's Vineyard.

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