The Best Places to Live & Explore…
For Every Lifestyle

Living a Beach Lifestyle in Providence, Rhode_Island

Providence is the capital of Rhode Island. Although it is not a beach town it is coastal with water access to the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby Rhode Island beaches are some of the country's best.  Providence is a jewelry center as well as being home to at least 7 colleges, including Brown University, Providence College, and Johnson & Wales among others. The city has also worked hard to reinvent itself with many imaginative urban renewal projects along three rivers that had once been paved over . Today a delightful pedestrian waterfront, Waterpark Place, draws in tourists with its bridges, gondolas, cobblestone walkways and entertainment . From Providence you can easily take a train to Boston or New York, or a ferry to Martha's Vineyard. Photo of skyline courtesy of Wikipedia via Flickr and boliyou. Photo of Waterplace Park courtesy of Wikipedia and Loodog.

Where to Retire in Providence and Home Prices

You can live downtown in the city or the suburbs. There are some active adult communities in the area. If you go out of town you can live on or along the water - because of its many bays and ocean frontage, Rhode Island has an amazing coastline. According to the NAR, the median selling price in Providence-Warwick RI region was $431,700 in the 4th quarter of 2022.

What Is Special about Providence

Providence is now known as the Renaissance City. Waterplace Park, the reclaimed area over 3 rivers is one of the most successful urban renewal projects in the country. Providence is an exciting urban environment and bustling college town. It is conveniently located on the coast and I 95.  The scenic beaches and bays of coastal Rhode Island are very accessible.

What Is Not Special about Providence

Taxes are high in Rhode Island and its fiscal health is one of the weakest of any state.

Climate and Physical Environment

Providence is located on I 95 about 50 miles from Boston and an hour from Cape Cod. Rivers and bays connect the City to the Ocean. The average july high is 83 and the average January low is 20. The wettest month is March (4.4")

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Cultural institutions include Opera Providence, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory.  The Providence Public Library is first-rate with 9 branches and a charming  Athenaeum. Residents can college sports at Brown and Division I basketball at the Friars of Providence College.

Crime

As is typical of a city, the crime rate in Providence is above the national average.

Medical Facilities

There are several hospitals located here including Rhode Island Hospital and Miriam Hospital.

Transportation

Transportation options include Amtrak, I 95, TF Green Airport with its discount carriers, as well as fast ferry service to Martha's Vineyard.

Your Stories about Providence, Rhode Island

Add Your Story

Discuss this review of Providence in the Forum

If you have suggestions on how Topretirements.com could improve these reviews, contact us.

Suggest a community that you think is a great place for this lifestyle.

Tell us Your Story about this lifestyle or city. Add a Video about it.

Find Your Dream Lifestyle

01
01
02
01

Rate This Town