Providence, Rhode Island

Not only is Providence the home of the esteemed Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Ivy League University Brown, but the community itself is centered around the arts and education. Creative people will feel at home, and have plenty of outlets for their work. There’s also a thriving music and arts scene throughout the city, particularly in East Providence.

Don’t get us wrong, Providence is a lovely city, but being a tiny capital of the tiniest state of the union means there’s just not that much to do. The schools take up most of the real estate and most of the city’s persona. It’s relatively safe and easy to live in, and there’s plenty to do there, and learn about … but … if you're coming from a big city it will feel quiet.

Providence shines in the summer with a big art fair, beautiful beaches, and lots of festivals. WaterFire, a festival where they light more than 80 bonfires on the rivers, is a big highlight. The east side is dominated by the college campuses, and the student communities center around Thayer Street. It’s relatively diverse, with a very strong Portuguese community. Many people work for the state or the universities or study at one of the great institutions. And it’s very walkable and bikeable, though most people do have cars.

If you want to see what's happening in Providence check out the calendar of events.

We highly recommend visiting Providence and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well

If you are an artist, or are into the arts, or a student, you’ll feel right at home at Providence, though the city also has a good mix of blue-collar workers as well. And improvements to the city are ongoing. The city is revitalizing the area between Pawtucket and Central Falls as the Conant Thread District, a charming 150-acre tract full of cool old mill buildings, and anchored by a new train station.