College Hill Neighborhood
College Students
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. Thayer Street runs through the neighborhood and has cafés, bookstores, and casual restaurants that mainly serve the campus community. 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 proximity to schools and the opportunity for beer and pizza!
Zoned Schools:
- Vartan Gregorian Elementary
- Nathan Bishop Middle
- Hope High
Median Home Price: Around $780,000 (higher due to historic housing stock)
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Harvard Square fringe (Cambridge)
-East Rock (New Haven)
Downtown Providence Neighborhood
Young professionals, service workers, graduate students, and remote workers.
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. The area is busiest on weekdays, with office workers and students from nearby campuses. At night, it’s quieter, though restaurants and small venues around Westminster Street and Washington Street bring steady activity.
Zoned Schools:
- Nathan Bishop Middle
- Classical/Hope High
Median Home Price: Condos average $380,000–$430,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Old Port (Portland, ME, scaled down)
-Downtown New Haven
Fox Point Providence Neighborhood
Families, long-term residents, and people who want walkable waterfront access.
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 Fellini's Pizzeria and Al Forno. Blackstone is the wealthiest neighborhood in Providence, with stunning classical architectural masterpiece homes amidst many of the most revered attractions like Ladd Observatory and the Festival Ballet Providence.
Zoned Schools:
- Vartan Gregorian Elementary
- Nathan Bishop Middle
- Hope High
Median Home Price: Around $650,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Hingham’s downtown fringe (MA)
-Annapolis Eastport vibe (MD)
Wayland, Providence Neighborhood
Families, young professionals, and people who prefer a walkable residential-commercial mix.
The Vibe of Wayland, Providence
Wayland is centered around Wayland Square, one of the most convenient commercial hubs on the East Side. The neighborhood includes a mix of single-family homes, row houses (in New England, these are often three-deckers), and small apartment buildings. The shops, cafés, and boutique stores make it feel self-contained. It's quieter than College Hill and less pricey than Blackstone, which is why it attracts people who want the East Side lifestyle without the steepest prices.
Zoned Schools:
- Lippitt or Martin Luther King Elementary (varies by street)
- Nathan Bishop Middle
- Hope High
Median Home Price: Around $650,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Jamaica Plain’s Centre Street zone (Boston)
-West Hartford Center fringe (CT)
Mount Hope, Providence Neighborhood
Families, students, and long-term residents.
The Vibe of Mount Hope Neighborhood:
Mount Hope sits between Hope Street and North Main Street and offers more modest housing options than College Hill or Fox Point. The housing is a mix of two- and three-family homes and smaller apartment buildings. Hope Street carries most of the local shops and food spots. The neighborhood is walkable in sections and close to Brown and the hospitals without the pricing of the more historic districts.
Zoned Schools:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
- Nathan Bishop Middle
- Hope High
Median Home Price: Around $450,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Allston-Brighton residential pockets (Boston)
-Eastside fringe (Detroit’s Grosse Pointe Park)
Federal Hill, Providence Neighborhood
Young professionals, food service workers, and long-time neighborhood families.
The Federal Hill Neighborhood Vibe:
Federal Hill is one of Providence’s best-known areas, centered around Atwells Avenue, which is lined with restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and boutique shops. Housing includes multi-family homes, apartments above storefronts, and renovated triple-deckers. Streets can be filled with locals well into the evening. It’s a good fit for people who want easy access to restaurants and nightlife but prefer something more grounded than the many college-oriented areas.
Zoned Schools:
- Asa Messer
- William D’Abate Elementary (varies)
- DelSesto Middle
- Central High
Median Home Price: Around $380,000–$420,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-North End (Boston)
-Little Italy (Baltimore)
Smith Hill, Providence Neighborhood
State workers, students, and long-term residents.
The Smith Hill Neighborhood Vibe:
Smith Hill sits near the Rhode Island State House and the highways. Housing is mainly multi-family buildings, modest single-family homes, and older apartment structures. It’s close to downtown and the state offices, which makes it convenient for public-sector workers. The neighborhood varies block by block in feel, with some quieter residential streets and some busier corridors near the Capitol.
Zoned Schools:
- Harry Kizirian Elementary
- Nathanael Greene Middle
- DelSesto Middle
- Mount Pleasant High
Median Home Price: Around $350,000
Similar Neighborhoods:
-Albany’s Central Avenue zone (NY)
-Hartford’s Frog Hollow fringe