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The 20 Best Places to Live in Rhode Island

Kingston

When choosing where to live in Rhode Island, it is important to compare the different areas to find a place that has the elements that suit your needs. This will vary from one person to the next as each person’s circumstances and lifestyle is different.

Just some of the factors that people consider when choosing where to live include safety, employment opportunities, house prices, the feel of the community, the cost of living, public schools, and the variety of leisure activities in an area. Based on a combination of these factors, the following are the 20 best places to live in Rhode Island.

Cranston

20. Cranston

Niche lists Cranston as one of the top 20 places to live in Rhode Island. It is a suburb of Providence in Providence County that has a population of around 81 thousand residents. It has a dense suburban feel, and it is a popular place to live among young professionals.

Some of the best features of this suburb are the vibrant nightlife, the diversity of the community and the range of leisure activities. The main downsides to this area are the high house prices and the cost of living. However, this is typical of areas that are considered desirable.

Reservoir

19. Reservoir

Although Reservoir is not the best place for families to live due to a lack of good schools, it is a brilliant area for many other groups of people. This neighborhood in Providence is home to a little over five thousand residents, and it has a sparse suburban feel.

Those who enjoy socializing will love living in this area, thanks to the bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and lively nightlife. Other positive elements of this neighborhood are the low crime rates, the diversity of the community, and the range of leisure and fitness activities in the area. Compared to the average for the state, the cost of living and house prices are both reasonable.

Newport

18. Newport

Newport is an area that will appeal to a wide range of people. It is a suburb of Providence that is home to approximately 25 thousand residents, and it has a dense suburban feel. The public schools are above average and there are many family-oriented activities to enjoy in the area, which means it is a nice place to raise a family.

Young professionals also like the area because of the vibrant nightlife and the range of leisure activities. Features that appeal to everyone include the excellent amenities, the diverse community, the plentiful employment opportunities, and the strong transport links. Like many desirable areas, the cost of living and the property prices in Newport are high.

Downtown

17. Downtown

Downtown Providence is one of the best places to live in Rhode Island for people who want to live in the center of all the action. The area has a dense, urban feel with lots of amenities, such as shops, bars, restaurants, and leisure facilities. It is close to job opportunities and there are some of the best transport links in Rhode Island. However, there are also some downsides to Downtown Providence such as the schools, the cost of living, and the high house prices.

Cumberland Hill

16. Cumberland Hill

Home Snacks says that Cumberland Hill is becoming an increasingly popular place to live. They suggest that one of the main reasons for this is the low crime rate, which makes it one of the safest places to live in Rhode Island. There are also plenty of employment opportunities and a very low unemployment rate.

Government spending on schools in this area is high, so the public schools are excellent. It is also worth noting that the house prices are relatively affordable compared to other areas in Rhode Island.

Mount Hope

15. Mount Hope

Mount Hope is a lovely suburb of Providence that has almost six thousand residents. One of the most appealing features of this area is that property prices are low, both in terms of renting a house or buying a home. The low property prices and cost of living are possibly why this area appeals to Millennials. The area is currently going under a major redevelopment, which means that it is likely to become even more desirable in the future and rise up the ranks of the best places to live in Rhode Island.

Portsmouth

14. Portsmouth

A fantastic option for raising a family is Portsmouth, which has a small-town feel and is surrounded by water. The housing options include homes of all sizes, but most are aimed at family life.

House prices can vary significantly in this area. There are also some excellent schools in this suburb. The area also appeals to retirees, due to the quiet nature of Portsmouth. The combination of families and retirees means that the community in this suburb is diverse.

FOx Point

13. Fox Point

The public schools are not great at Fox Point, which is why the area appeals more to young professionals than it does to families. The younger generation loves life in Fox Point as there is a vibrant nightlife, lots of bars and restaurants, excellent commuting options, and many job opportunities in the surrounding area.

Narragansett Pier

12. Narragansett Pier

In terms of aesthetics, Narrangansett Pier is arguably the nicest place to live in Rhode Island. Home Snacks also notes that it is one of the fastest-growing places in Rhode Island.

Two of the main reasons for this are excellent public schools and low unemployment rates. This area also has features that will appeal to young professionals and retirees, which is why the community is diverse. A negative aspect of living in Narrangansett Pier is that the cost of living is high.

College Hill

11. College Hill

Millennials love living in College Hill, which is home to Brown University and RISD. Many students stay in the area after graduating because they have enjoyed living in this neighborhood so much during their student years.

There are plenty of things to enjoy in your leisure time, such as bars, restaurants, health facilities, and parks. The one downside of this area is that the crime statistics are a little higher than in other parts of Rhode Island.

Wayland

10. Wayland

A small neighborhood in Providence, there are just five thousand residents in Wayland. Although it is an inner-city suburb, the low population means that it has a village-feel. The schools in Wayland are not the best in Providence, but they are above the national average. Wayland will appeal to those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle as there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in this neighborhood. The community in Wayland is economically and ethnically diverse.

Narragansett

9. Narragansett

One of the most charming and rustic places to live is in the historic town of Narrangansett. It is located along the coastline, so residents enjoy pleasant surroundings. Trying to move to this desirable area is often tricky, as properties do not come onto the market very often. If you are lucky enough to secure a property, then living here has many advantages. There are plenty of amenities, the crime rates are low, and life is peaceful in Narrangansett.

North Kingston

8. North Kingston

A suburban area with a population of over 26 thousand residents, there are elements of North Kinston that will appeal to everyone. Commutability is good and employment opportunities in the area are plentiful. The leisure activities in the area range from its diverse nightlife to health and fitness facilities. As this is a waterside neighborhood, residents can also enjoy boating and fishing in their free time. There are some brilliant schools in the area, so there are many families living in North Kingston.

South Kingston

7. South Kingston

South Kingston is a town in Rhode Island with a population of just over 30 thousand people, says Niche. This town has a sparse suburban feel, and it is a popular area among families. This is predominantly due to the highly-rated public schools in this area. There are also some nice outdoor spaces and plenty of family-oriented activities to enjoy. Other appealing features of South Kingston include the leisure activities in the area, the diversity of the community, and the low crime rates. On the downside, the cost of living is significantly higher than in many other areas in Rhode Island.

Hope

6. Hope

Hope is a small neighborhood on the outskirts of Providence City. There are approximately four thousand people living in this neighborhood, which means there is a strong sense of community and that it is a quiet area in which to live. Although it appears like a small urban area, it definitely has a more village-like feel.

It is one of the most affordable places to live in or around Providence, which is something that those looking to purchase a house find appealing. Other appealing features are the fantastic amenities, the proximity to Providence city center, the good transport links, and the outstanding schools. There are also many pretty outdoor spaces to enjoy, such as parks and running trails.

East Greenwich

5. East Greenwich

The crime rates in East Greenwich are very low, which means it is considered one of the safest places to live in Rhode Island. Only In Your State has named East Greenwich as one of the best places in Rhode Island to raise a family, due to the excellent schools and the many family-oriented activities. It is an affordable place to live, regardless of whether you are renting or buying your property. This suburb of Providence has just over 13 thousand residents.

Blackstone

4. Blackstone

Those living in Blackstone enjoy an urban lifestyle with good transport links, plenty of job opportunities, a wide range of leisure activities, and excellent amenities. There are also outstanding schools, which attracts families to the area. Blackstone is a neighbourhood in central Providence by the Seekonk River. There are around 14 thousand residents, and the area has a dense suburban feel. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in this neighborhood.

Jamestown

3. Jamestown

The surroundings at Jamestown are something that appeals to the residents, and it is often the main reason they chose to live on the island. The views across Buzzard Bay are outstanding. Although it is connected to the mainland, residents enjoy a quiet, island lifestyle.

It is the second-largest island in Narragansett Bay, and it is home to fewer than six thousand residents. It is considered one of the safest places to live in Rhode Island, based on the exceptionally low crime rates. The homes are usually large, detached, and on a spacious plot of land with off-street parking. This means that the average house price in Jamestown is higher than the average for the state.

Kingston

2. Kingston

In the second position, although some would argue that it is equal first, is Kingston. This is another suburb of Providence and it has a population of under seven thousand people. It is home to the University of Rhode Island campus and to many outstanding public schools. Those who want an active social life will enjoy living in this area as there are so many things to do in your free time. There is also a great sense of community among the residents. Despite all these plus points, renting a property in Kingston is surprisingly affordable.

Barrington

1. Barrington

According to The Crazy Tourist, the best place to live in Rhode Island is Barrington. A suburb of Providence, this neighborhood has a lot going for it that has led to it being the most popular place to live in this state. One of the best features is the public schools, which are considered the best in Rhode Island. Residents also enjoy being part of a warm community and having plenty of activities to give them a good social life. The property options are also excellent and diverse, but house prices are higher than the average for the state.

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Liz Flynn

Written by Liz Flynn

Liz Flynn has worked as a full-time writer since 2010 after leaving a career in education. She finds almost all topics she writes about interesting, but her favorite subjects are travel and food. Liz loves the process of researching information, learning new things, and putting into words what others who share her interests might like to read. Although she spends most of her time writing, she also enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, watching films, cooking, dining out, reading, motorsports, gaming, and walking along the beach next to her house with her dog.

Read more posts by Liz Flynn

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