What neighborhoods should I visit in Providence?

May 18, 2019 12:50 PM

I have the chance to visit Providence and would like to check out some neighborhoods as potential places to live. I like the East Side, though I'm interested in recommendations of areas where it's still possible to buy a single-family home for $250k or so.

What are other walkable, charming parts of town? I work remotely, so commuting isn't an issue, though I'd like to be able to get to the East Side relatively easily. I'd like to be somewhere fairly quiet but be able to walk to a grocery store, parks, and other basic amenities. I like old houses (early 1900s, maybe older) and I'm looking for a pretty small place, nothing fancy. I might consider a condo on the East Side, but ideally I'm hoping to find a house with a yard (meaning I can't afford anything there as far as I can tell). What are nearby cities like Cranston like?

posted by pinochiette to Travel & Transportation around Providence, RI (5 answers total)

Best answer: I would look at Edgewood (in Cranston) and Pawtuxet (in Warwick).
posted by poodelina at 1:09 PM on May 18, 2019

Best answer: Look at Smith Hill and Elmhurst for single family houses. (Try not to live right next to Providence College; at least a block or two away.)
posted by Huffy Puffy at 1:19 PM on May 18, 2019 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I'd agree with Edgewood and Elmhurst/Mt Pleasant. I'd also consider Riverside if you don't mind being a little further from Providence-- lots of smaller houses available, easy access to the bay and the bike path, not too far from the east side.

Another option would be Federal Hill/ the West End but there's not a lot of single family homes there.
posted by geegollygosh at 7:05 PM on May 18, 2019 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Part of Pawtucket is right next to the East Side. Rumford is a nice area just over the bridge in East Providence.
posted by wryly at 2:59 PM on May 19, 2019

Best answer: I lived in Providence for over 10 years and moved just over the border into Massachusetts 3 years ago (mostly because it was so hard to find a good single family home in the city). I think it's going to be difficult to find a single family home for ~250K in an area that's walkable, close to things like grocery stores and parks. As you already know, you're priced out of the East Side with that budget, but what's kind of surprising to me is that you're now priced out of the West Side as well. 2-3 years ago you could have probably found a small house with a small yard somewhere in the Broadway/Westminster area that would have needed some work, but there's nothing currently available on Redfin. The West Side is quickly gentrifying and the real estate prices are rising to reflect that.

Your best bet for living in the city is either in the Elmhurst/Chalkstone Ave area or in Elmwood Ave/South Providence area. Both those areas can be nice, but neither of them is what I'd call walkable. I'd also check out Cranston, Pawtucket, Rumford and Attleboro MA. Attleboro (and maybe Pawtucket soon) is on the commuter rail line, which is a really nice thing if you don't have a car.
posted by Fidel Cashflow at 4:04 PM on May 20, 2019