Rhode Island is a scenic state, sharing borders with the Atlantic Ocean to the South, Connecticut to the West, and Massachusetts to the North and East. Its many beautiful features make it a favorite spot for many tourists. It is also a highly populated state, coming second just after New Jersey.
Have you contemplated living in Rhode Island? Wondering if it is the perfect state to live in? Let us consider the pros and cons of moving to Rhode Island to help you decide. But before diving in, let us first examine the best places you can live in Rhode Island.
Best Places to Live in Rhode Island
If you have decided to move to Rhode Island but are unsure of where exactly to settle, here are the best places for you to consider:
1. Providence
This is the state’s capital city, filled with several historical architectural pieces and streets made of cobblestones with romantic settings. Although Providence is the state’s most populous city, it still caters to thousands of tourists yearly. They have many cultural celebrations, great music, and an environment suitable for those interested in having an exciting nightlife.
Averagely it costs about $241,000 to get a home of average value in Providence. You can find trusted Providence movers on the website.
2. Barrington
This is a similarly crowded area, housing approximately 16,000 residents. The community, however, has a strong bond that presents a good measure of friendliness among its people. In addition, Barrington is regarded as a waterfront area that receives many visitors who come to fish, sail or visit the beach in the summer. You will need about $457,000 to get an average home in Barrington.
3. Jamestown
Situated on Conanicut Island, Jamestown is one of Rhode Island’s most well-to-do areas. As a result, housing is typically expensive, costing roughly $664,000. It is located approximately 25 miles south of Providence.
4. North Kingstown
Having a reputable golf course, several marinas, and its own beach, North Kingstown is a great suburb to live in. It provides the perfect balance between city life and an urban downtown feel. North Kingstown has about 35,000 residents, with its location strategic enough to connect Providence and Boston. Housing costs averagely cost $373,000 in the town.
5. Portsmouth
Located in the center of the city, Portsmouth is yet another awesome place to live in Rhode Island. Housing about 17,000 people, Portsmouth is one of the best places for retirees to live. Its beautiful scenery makes it a great place for those who love to jog, cycle or take walks in a park. The average housing cost in Portsmouth is $364,000.
6. Narragansett
A relatively costly neighborhood, Narragansett is an amazing site for tourists. During summer, people from all over the country flood the town to enjoy its beautiful beaches. With an average population of 16,000 people, housing costs roughly $500,000.
Pros and Cons of Living in Rhode Island
Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of living in Rhode Island.
Pros
1. Beautiful Landscape and Beachside Living
One of the things to know before moving to Rhode Island is that it is very prominent for beautiful scenery and landscapes. With the Atlantic Ocean as borders on two sides, hence, it has lots of beaches, bays, coves, and inlets. The Misquamicut state beach in Westerly, Narragansett town beach in Narragansett, East beach in Charlestown, and Easton’s beach in New Port are some amazing beaches that you can visit.
The weather is also very temperate, allowing people to enjoy a lot of time outdoors with great sunshine. You should note though the state does not have mountains due to its flat terrain.
2. Lifestyle Variety
Rhode Island has multiple lifestyle options to choose from, depending on your preference. The state caters to urban, coastal, rural, and small-town needs. So if you would like to live on a farm, have a view of the ocean, in the woods, or the city, Rhode Island provides all for you to choose. This means you can have a change of scenery without changing your state.
3. Proximity
Due to its small size, you do not need to travel long distances to go around the state. This means everything you need is within your reach. In one hour, you can move to any part of the state. This is a great advantage.
4. Quality Education
The state takes pride in its quality of education. And this is another perfect reason to move to Rhode Island. Starting from kindergarten up until colleges and universities, Rhode Island has several prestigious schools. The esteemed Brown University, University of Rhode Island, Providence College, and Johnson and Wales University are some of the schools the state boasts of.
5. Quick Getaway
Due to its proximity and size, leaving the state for a quick, little getaway is easy. Whether for personal reasons or work, you do not need to be deterred by the idea of traveling out of the state.
Cons
No matter how great a place is, it will definitely have its downsides. Here are the not-so-great things about Rhode Island
1. High Cost of Living
You are likely to amass a lot of expenses living in Rhode Island due to its high cost of living. Everything costs a little higher than the average costs in other locations. As a result, you should be ready to pay extra costs ranging from housing to feeding and groceries.
2. Increased Taxes
Income taxes, property taxes, sales, and other types of taxes are typically higher in Rhode Island. Because a large percentage of its residents are retirees, and retirement income is considered taxable, the state heavily taxes its residents.
3. Extreme Winter
Although the weather is generally conducive, winter periods are usually very cold. Snow in this weather grows as deep as 3 feet, which is more than most states experience in the country. The temperature drops significantly, often dropping lower than zero. Hence, if you are not very comfortable with extremely cold weather, you may not want to stay in Rhode Island.
4. Dense Population
If you prefer to be in an area with few people, then Rhode Island is not the place for you. It is the country’s smallest state and yet has a population greater than one million. This worsens during summer when several tourists visit the state to enjoy its many qualities.
5. Traffic Congestion
Due to its high population, there is usually heavy traffic within the state. The traffic also affects the roads, filling them with potholes. If you are driving in Rhode Island, you need to lower your expectations of the roads and the drivers. Their drivers are known for not respecting driving rules.
Conclusion
Despite its size, Rhode Island has much to offer its residents, giving it an edge over many other states. You are not likely to run out of fun things to do or get bored with its beautiful scenery, so you have many reasons to live in Rhode Island. However, it also has its downsides. Before deciding, weigh your options carefully to know what is most suitable for you.
