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. 


Artsy without the fartsy

The Best Thing About Providence?

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](https://www.goprovidence.com/events/).

We highly recommend visiting Providence and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) 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](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well

Lifestyle 

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. 


Creative Opportunity

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**Weizenugb**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Providence is wonderful. Amazing restaurants and bars, easy to get around, way less hectic than Boston but still plenty to do and cheaper. It’s much different now than how all the old-heads remember it back in the day. I’ve been lucky to see it grow, and yes, like OP said it is an overlooked gem.

For more reviews of what living in Providence is like from locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/providence/reviews)


Reviews of Providence from Locals

**The Best Thing About Providence?**  Artsy without the fartsy

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 through the city, and particularly in East Providence.

**The Worst Thing About Providence?**  It’s meh.

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, there’s plenty to do there, and learn about … but … it’s just not that remarkable. 

**How You Living?**

Providence really 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.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

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. 


College Hill is home to Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design and Pembroke College. As with many New England college neighborhoods, there are apartment buildings and split level homes for housing options and plenty of cheap eats and good pubs for nights out. There are also young professionals living here as relatively inexpensive apartments will always be fair game for those in-school and those recently graduated. Mostly though the choice here is about the energy, the proximity to schools and the opportunity for beer and pizza!
- College Hill


College Students

College Hill

Downtown Providence is the central business district and as a result the starting point for most young professionals in their search for an apartment. Plenty of options for housing within a short walking distance from work as well as bars and restaurants make it the most convenient option available. 
- Downtown
- Elmhurst


Young Professionals

Downtown

Fox Point is one of the most popular neighborhoods for families in all of Providence. It has beautiful views of the river, great historic homes, plenty of outdoor play spaces, soccer fields and great local family restaurants like Felline Pizzeria and Al Forno. Blackstone is the wealthiest neighborhood in Providence, stunning classical architectural masterpiece homes amidst many of the most revered attractions like Ladd Observatory and the Festival Ballet Providence. 
- Fox Point
- Blackstone
- Elmhurst


Families

Fox Point

Providence

**Weizenugb**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

Providence is wonderful. Amazing restaurants and bars, easy to get around, way less hectic than Boston but still plenty to do and cheaper. It’s much different now than how all the old-heads remember it back in the day. I’ve been lucky to see it grow, and yes, like OP said it is an overlooked gem.

Anonymous
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉

It’s absolutely a gem. It’s like Boston lite. Feels like Boston with good hospitals and colleges (plus better nightlife than Boston). Close to the mountains and the beach, and close to nyc and Boston. It also has a pretty good sized airport for the size of the city it’s serving so you can usually fly right out of PVD.

Also, lots of good Portuguese and Cape Verdean food in providence :)

**smokejaguar**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

It wasn't always this way. A decade ago both this and the state sub were much smaller, but, oddly enough, more reflective of the residents of RI, albeit skewing younger, college educated, and middle class.

I used to put together meetups on a regular basis, sometimes with up to 50 participants, and attendees had a great time. I'm not sure I could pull that off now.

**GoGatorsMashedTaters**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

downtown
Moving to Providence may be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. People here may be tired of me constantly saying this place is wonderful, but this place is paradise compared to a lot of places in the south.

Now I’m not saying there isn’t a lot of work that can be done to improve this place, but what I am saying is this is in the top 10% places you could across the country.

The issues here can be fixed as well. The community can work together and make the changes they want to see. Laws need to be changed, housing needs to be built, some cops need to be fired, the list goes on. I feel better about the state of things here compared to where I came from in Florida.

Providence, Rhode Island

What Cheer?

Looklyloo Score: 88