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NightDragon

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Esh

NightDragon wrote: »

Hey all, I'm going to be moving to Providence soon...and I'm not very aware of the area.

I've heard that some places are to be absolutely avoided, and others are very nice. I'd like to get as close to the downtown center of Providence as possible, but I understand that will probably get pricey. Are there any areas in particular where I should be apartment hunting? Or places I should be avoiding?

I lived in Fox Point when I was there, but it's really spendy. The entire town is way overpriced and kind of a shit hole. If it weren't for Brown and RiSD being there, it'd be a ghost town.

Providence is tiny. You're going to be close to downtown where ever.

NightDragon

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Esh

NightDragon wrote: »

Are the places right near RiSD/Brown nicer or safer at all?

That's Fox Point. They're really nice, and really expensive. Even the shitholes in that neighborhood are expensive. Lots and lots and lots of students.

cmsamo

We did a lot of work in Warwick, RI (right near to TF Green Airport). We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on the main drag of Warwick.

It's not very big, but it seemed OK all the time we were there. There were several big shopping malls near by, and some good places to eat (I seem to remember Cranston being quite nice). Downtown Providence was probably a 20 min drive if that.

A co-worker of mine just got back from a vacation in the area and said that Providence has been spruced up a lot since we visited, so that's a good thing, because I didn't think it was that bad to start with...

There was a great bar in Warwick called "Daves" which I wish I could go back and visit, but sadly our work there finished a looong time ago

Noquar

NightDragon wrote: »

Hey all, I'm going to be moving to Providence soon...and I'm not very aware of the area.

I've heard that some places are to be absolutely avoided, and others are very nice. I'd like to get as close to the downtown center of Providence as possible, but I understand that will probably get pricey. Are there any areas in particular where I should be apartment hunting? Or places I should be avoiding?

Are you set on Providence itself? What kind of job, and is the job smackdab in the middle of Providence? My wife works in Prov, but we live in South Kingstown right now.

Pure Din

Fox Point has a lot of crappy landlords, but there are other parts of the East side where you can pay the same and not have a shitty apartment. Wayland Square for example, or around the observatory. The only reason anyone lives in Fox Point is they can't afford to live in College Hill but they want to live really really close to Brown and RISD. I live in Wayland Square because to me it's worth having an extra five minutes to my walk to Brown in order to have a quiet apartment that is actually maintained with a nice kitchen.

Parts of the west side, like Federal Hill and the Armory district have gentrified a lot recently, and I know a lot of young trendy types who live between Atwells and Westminster. Cheaper, since there are fewer students, and nicer restaurants and bakeries as well. If I were working downtown I'd probably look there first.

Also I've been living in Providence for about a year and a half and I really like it. Lots of young people, and fun and artsy things to do.

jefe414

I went to The University of Rhode Island (what seems like decades ago). I lived in Narragansett but we did travel to Providence on occasion. First Night was always a good time. There was this big bar that was like, 4 different places in one (piano bar, dance club, Western road house style place and something else). I forgot the name of it. Thayer St. (right? Like a mini-version of Newberry St. in Boston) had a cool old theater that we used to go and watch stuff.

NightDragon

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Esh

Be sure to check out Thee Red Fez, The Avery, Lili Marlene's, and Local 21 for bars.

Evil Gummy

I lived in Rhode Island my whole life until last summer when I up an moved to Cali, so I can probably give you some good advice.

For one thing, if you have a car at all, you will never have more than a 30 minute commute, really, if you live outside of Providence. Cranston is nice, Coventry is nice, etc.

I lived in Providence right next to broadway and federal hill, which are very nice areas (now), and honestly, you could walk to downtown if you desired. Kennedy plaza was maybe a 15 minute walk.

I can put you in contact with my former land lord if you want, he's a swell guy, and the place he owned was in a very nice spot and very affordable (in my opinion). It was actually like, a few feet from the Avery that Esh mentioned.

I miss my little state a bit, now.

You should for sure check out Tazza's, a real nice cafe I spent a lot of time just chilling in with my laptop on comfy couches, such good tea and live music there.. also White Electric for some AMAZING coffee, and Julians if you want awesome food with a great set up (tv in the bathroom playing old cartoons, star wars figures in cases, faaaaantastic beer list.)

Esh

Evil Gummy wrote: »

I lived in Rhode Island my whole life until last summer when I up an moved to Cali, so I can probably give you some good advice.

For one thing, if you have a car at all, you will never have more than a 30 minute commute, really, if you live outside of Providence. Cranston is nice, Coventry is nice, etc.

I lived in Providence right next to broadway and federal hill, which are very nice areas (now), and honestly, you could walk to downtown if you desired. Kennedy plaza was maybe a 15 minute walk.

I can put you in contact with my former land lord if you want, he's a swell guy, and the place he owned was in a very nice spot and very affordable (in my opinion). It was actually like, a few feet from the Avery that Esh mentioned.

I miss my little state a bit, now.

You should for sure check out Tazza's, a real nice cafe I spent a lot of time just chilling in with my laptop on comfy couches, such good tea and live music there.. also White Electric for some AMAZING coffee, and Julians if you want awesome food with a great set up (tv in the bathroom playing old cartoons, star wars figures in cases, faaaaantastic beer list.)

Ahhh, I forgot about Julian's. Good place.

Evil Gummy

Yeah, I had a brief 2 day stay back in Providence over the holidays to see some family, and my friends and I walked over to Julians for old times sake. I miss it so very much.

Also, if you are going to avoid any areas really, I would say just stay away from the Olneyville side.. it's south of Atwells, and the neighborhood is kind of bad.

Which is too bad, because Wess's is there, and man that place is tasty for BBQ.

Also the area of Cranston around Elmwood is pretty bad with crime lately, lots of car and home break ins.

Edd

Providence has a lot of charm if you know where to find it. There's a lot of fun and culture to be found between downtown and the east side. If you're young, and I suspect you are, you'll fit right in on Thayer and Wickenden st and find plenty to do. In fact, virtually everyone I've ever known in that city has lived on Thayer, Wickenden or Hope street, and they're always renting somewhere. Just don't expect glamor.

As for the practical issue of housing, I'm not sure how far into the process you are, but is it necessary to live in the city proper? I've lived in East Providence/Riverside where you can find fairly nice apartments in safer, less expensive and more suburban neighborhoods that are still less than ten minutes from downtown, with a bike path and bus routes heading towards the city.

Also, while Fox Point is where most of the student population lives, I've seen really nice apartments in the Armory neighborhood, but you are slightly more likely to get stabbed if you walk down the wrong street. It's one of those fringe neighborhoods, quality/safety wise.

And yes, stay the fuck out of South Providence/Olneyville. Even if it didn't suck, the ribhouse really might be the only justifiable reason to be there. And if you go to Federal Hill, fantastic dining abound, but mind your manners. The mafia isn't gone.

Also, everything Esh and Little Gummy said.

Esh

Like Edd said, watch yourself with people. I've found that people in Providence do not put up with shit and are not passive aggressive in the least. And yes, the mafia is still very, very, very much in Providence.