Providence, RI


19 Reviews



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Providence, RI

About Providence, RI

Providence, Rhode Island is a charming city that offers a variety of activities for visitors. Home to several universities and colleges, the city is full of history, culture, and art. Tourists can explore the Waterplace Park along the banks of the Woonasquatucket River, take a stroll through the Roger Williams Park Zoo, or visit some of the many historical sites throughout downtown. For nightlife options, there's an array of restaurants and bars that provide incredible dining experiences and entertainment. With its wealth of attractions, Providence will surely make any trip to New England memorable! Capital-city complex - Eastern edge of Rhode Island at the head of Narragansett Bay.

State: Rhode Island
County: Providence County
Metro Area: Providence-Warwick Metro Area
City: Providence
Zip Codes: 02909 02908 02907 02906 02905 02903 02912
Cost of Living:
Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Elevation: 51 ft above sea level

Providence is the capital and primary commercial, industrial, and residential area for this small New England state. Established as an enclave of religious tolerance and resident American rights in pre-Revolutionary times, it remains a center of liberal intellectual thought. It’s also an old manufacturing and typically New-England style old textile milling center, and the area and surrounding communities of New Bedford and Fall River have borne the brunt of considerable economic dislocation. The metro area covers the state of Rhode Island and spreads eastward into Bristol County, Massachusetts (where New Bedford and Fall River are located).

Downtown Providence has undergone a renaissance, and is an inspiring example of urban redevelopment. Older historic buildings have been restored and attractive parks and a “River Walk” line the Providence River as it descends into the bay. A shopping complex, convention center and new residential developments have brought residents downtown. New office complexes host banking and financial institutions, and the historic Ivy League Brown University Campus lies just east of the downtown.

Suburban Providence is a mixed bag, with older industrial and working class suburbs lying in all directions, including Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket and East Providence. Nicer suburbs lie further southwest and across the Massachusetts border towards Attleboro. Newport, 25 miles south at the head of the bay, is a world-famous historic and present-day playground for the wealthy with more connection to New York and Boston than Providence. New Bedford is an old whaling town trying to capitalize on tourism in its old historic district, recently made into a national park, but it has a long way to go.

Providence has a laid-back character despite its capital-city status. Brown University adds to the intellectual and cultural landscape. Many are capitalizing on the area’s central location relative to other East Coast cities. While many living costs and especially housing are reasonable by East Coast standards, property taxes are quite high. The city has become an air gateway to New England, with a small, manageable airport and discount carrier service. The economy shows relatively low future employment prospects.

Providence is located at a point where numerous streams flow into the Narragansett Bay. Typical of eastern lowlands, the terrain is flat to slightly rolling, with heavy deciduous tree cover away from the water. Proximity to the bay and Atlantic Ocean significantly influences the climate, in part by moderating winter temperatures and snowfall. Snow cover does not remain for long periods. In summer, refreshing sea breezes often cool the otherwise uncomfortable days. At other times of year, fog occurs frequently. Measurable precipitation occurs about 1 day in 3 and is evenly distributed throughout the year. Most summer rainfall comes as thunderstorms. Late summer and fall tropical storms can hit, and the area is prone to coastal “noreaster” storms year-round. First freeze is late October, last is mid-April.

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Providence Cost of Living

Educated population, arts and culture, and attractive downtown make Providence a great place to live.

$350,800
+3.6% higher than avg
$55,787
-23.7% lower than avg
9.0 / 5.0
Comfort Index
summer/winter
Providence Crime
53.1 / 100
Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low) to 100 (high). US average: 35.4
Minimum annual income
To live comfortably in Providence, Rhode Island
$67,320
for a family
$49,600
for a single person
Pros & Cons of Providence
   Educated population
Cost of living and housing
   Arts and culture
Economy
   Attractive downtown
Depressed areas
Reviews for Providence
    See all (19)

Over 6 years ago
I think I hate this city more then my  More
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Over 8 years ago
I currently live in Rockford IL and just graduated college for broadcasting. I want to move out of this depressing, negative city and was thinking about Providence,  More
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And I've been to San Francisco and Seattle, so that's saying a lot. If you like pot, good for you, my annoyance is with all the people who smoke pot plainly in  More
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