**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. 


Providence

What Cheer?

**The Best Thing About Pawtucket?**   Proximity

Pawtucket benefits more than most from its proximity to Providence (10 minutes) and Boston (45 minutes). While Pawtucket can be charming on its own it’s greatest strength is easy access to the ocean, cities, culture, entertainment, colleges/universities and everything else just a short bike or ride away. All this proximity makes a small city feel much larger with the easy access to all these big city amenities. 

**The Worst Thing About Pawtucket?**  It’s More Of A Town/Neighborhood

If you’re counting on the city proper to provide you with all your cultural and commercial experiences you’ll be disappointed. There is an arts and entertainment thing going on here but ultimately you’ll need to get in your car and drive to get a full dose of culture, outdoor lifestyle, and city experiences. 

**How You Living?**  In A Nice Home

There isn’t a ton to do here but there are nice suburban neighborhoods, like East Ave and Central Ave, made up primarily of pre-World War II homes. Many who want to dodge the rising costs of Providence, or insane costs of Boston (longer commute), but live in a good home, have chosen Pawtucket as their escape valve. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?**  New England Economy

Pawtucket is close to the booming tech and healthcare industries of New England which makes it economically powerful via proximity. While housing costs can move up or down a bit, the reliability of housing prices in cities with colleges and universities, plus a massive healthcare industry, provides some downside protection if the overall economy shifts as they tend to be recession proof. If you stay awhile you’ll benefit from a recently started $400m development on the waterfront that includes: a new multi-use stadium for a professional soccer team, expanded waterfront, workforce housing, hotel and commercial office space. A burgeoning economy within reach, lower housing prices + downside protection = smart choice. 


Top LOOKS for Rhode Island

Providence, RI

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A Tale Of Two States

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Provincetown, RI

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