1. Moving
  2. Moving Resources
  3. Relocation Guides
  4. Moving to Providence

Start your free quote now!

Or Call 800-228-3092 to start your free quote!

HELPFUL INFORMATION

10 Things You’ll Love About Living in Providence, RI

Situated at the head of Narragansett Bay, Providence, Rhode Island is one of America’s most charming cities. From the cobblestone streets of College Hill to the stately manors of Blackstone Boulevard or the historic waterfront downtown, the city is a magnet for families and young professionals looking for big city amenities without the hassles of big city life. For anyone curious about the coastal, New England vibe, here are ten things you’ll love about living in Providence.

Aerial view of Providence, RI

Emerging Job Market

During the 19th and 20th centuries, Providence was one of the largest manufacturing centers in the United States, turning out an incredible volume of textiles, machine tools, jewelry, and silverware. However, as its factory base dwindled in the 1980s and 1990s, the city invested heavily in finance, technology, and business services, creating the knowledge economy that currently dominates the region. Though the city has retained its lead in a few traditional industries, such as shipbuilding, most of its economic growth is centered on:

  • Life Sciences. Rhode Island has a particularly strong concentration of healthcare and biotech companies specializing in next generation pharmaceuticals, drug delivery, immunotherapy, medical devices, genetic engineering, and digital health applications.
  • Information Technology. Providence is home to several leading-edge data processing, e-commerce, and cybersecurity companies. It’s also seen a flurry of patents for advanced fuel cells, semiconductors, electronic components, power conversion devices, and optical and electromagnetic sensors - all developed by Rhode Island engineers.
  • Business Services. The area provides extensive support for back office and corporate operations, such as web services, computing, data processing, marketing, and financial management.

Providence combines low taxes with a talented workforce and excellent academic institutions, which not only keeps operating costs low, but ensures a steady stream of skilled employees. The area has already attracted several major companies, such as IBM, CVS, Textron, Honeywell, and Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel chain. And with more venture capital pouring in year after year, Providence seems poised for continued growth.

Walkable Layout

Providence is a compact city, with streets laid out in a well-organized grid. Its wide sidewalks can accommodate a large number of pedestrians without ever feeling crowded, even in the downtown core. At the same time, traffic calming measures such as roundabouts, curb extensions, and reduced speed limits lower risk from vehicles.

The city has also installed safety features at busy intersections, such as high-contrast striping, pedestrian signals, and pedestrian markings, to protect people as they cross. Shops, parks, restaurants, businesses, and city attractions are located close to one another in most neighborhoods, which is why residents often find it more convenient to walk than drive.

Friendly Neighborhoods

Providence may be a modern city, but it hasn’t lost any of its storybook charm. The city provides a range of attractive options for students, families, and seniors. Some of its neighborhoods date back hundreds of years, before the founding of the country. Providence blends this deep sense of history with a range of Colonial, Victorian, and Federal-style homes nestled along tree-lined streets that explode with color during summer and fall. With so many choices, finding the perfect spot can be a bit of a challenge, but most newcomers start their search in:

Federal Hill

Once a hub for Italian immigrants, Federal Hill is one of the most diverse and colorful parts of the city. Stroll down Atwell Avenue, the neighborhood’s primary commercial and restaurant district, and you’ll find scores of Italian restaurants, bakeries, and specialty shops. In addition to great pizza and pasta, you’ll also find the country’s oldest purveyor of Italian wine and a marketplace that features live Italian music alongside its selection of cheeses, sandwiches, and cannoli.

The heart of the neighborhood is DePasquale Plaza, completed in 1909 by Antonio Cappelli, one of the area’s first Italian residents. Its central fountain is surrounded by cafes and colorful buildings, making it a popular spot to relax and enjoy a pleasant meal or warm cappuccino. Italian culture is a prominent feature throughout the year, but never more so than on the annual Columbus Day Festival, when its streets are packed with vendors, retailers, games, and amusements celebrating the community’s Italian heritage.

Despite its Old World ties, Federal Hill has seen a noticeable demographic shift over the past twenty years. Immigrants from a number of different countries have arrived, bringing fresh customs and perspectives. You’ll find their influence all over the neighborhood, especially when it comes to dining. The area is a hotspot for international cuisine, with some of the best German, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Lebanese, and Mexican food in the city.

College Hill

One of Providence’s most affluent neighborhoods, College Hill was originally settled in 1635 by Roger Williams, who founded Rhode Island after being banished from Massachusetts. Today, the neighborhood is home to some of the oldest structures in the city, most of which are located along Benefit Street. Known as the Mile of History, it contains an impressive collection of Colonial and Victorian architecture, including the:

  • Stephen Hopkins House
  • John Brown House Museum
  • First Unitarian Church of Providence
  • First Baptist Church in America
  • Cathedral of St. John
  • Marine Corps Arsenal

As its name suggests, College Hill has strong ties to education. Brown University, Pembroke Center, and the Rhode Island School of Design are all located here, with several school buildings open for the benefit of the public, such as the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology and John Jay Library. Residents can also deepen their knowledge of art history at the RISD Museum, which features an extensive array of works from Ancient Greece to present day.

The neighborhood is also one of the planks of the city’s blossoming arts scene. The David Winton Bell Gallery at Brown University hosts four to five exhibitions a year, showcasing some of the leading contemporary artists in the nation, as well as works by students and faculty. The nearby Providence Art Club has also been a gathering place for creators to meet, collaborate, and display their works for over 140 years.

In addition to its schools and historic architecture, College Hill also contains Roger Williams Park, one of the most beautiful and peaceful spots in the city. Located along the Moshassuck River, its red brick paths and towering trees provide a break from the neighborhood hustle and bustle.

Blackstone

Located on the East Side of the city, Blackstone is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Providence. The majority of the community is dominated by single-family homes, including colonial and ranch-style houses, renovated according to modern standards. It’s also home to some of the top-rated public and private schools in the state, an important consideration for parents with small children. It’s one of the safest parts of town as well. Property crime is more than 40 percent below the national average, while violent crime is virtually nonexistent.

With fewer attractions than downtown or College Hill, Blackstone is a relatively quiet neighborhood. On the weekends, many residents congregate around Wayland Square, which runs along the edge of the Seekonk River. The area is full of restaurants and coffee shops, as well as several boutiques selling wine, jewelry, clothing, and home décor.

Blackstone Boulevard is undoubtedly the area’s most popular attraction - a landscaped greenway that stretches for over 1.5 miles, from the Blackstone Park Conservation District all the way to Swan Point Cemetery, burial place of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft. Its carefully cultivated trees and shrubs create a rustic atmosphere, far removed from the fast pace of city life. It's not only a local landmark; its stunning beauty has earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places!

Renowned Food Scene

Providence isn’t just a culinary hotspot. It’s a dining destination. Though a relatively small city by the standards of the East Coast, Providence constantly outperforms expectations thanks to the influence of Johnson & Wales University, one of the top culinary schools in the country, not to mention its diverse heritage and access to fresh seafood.

Besides the scintillating Italian cuisine on Federal Hill, residents can also enjoy raw oysters and clams pulled straight from the Atlantic Ocean, as well as Caribbean, Portuguese and Syrian pastries baked fresh daily, not to mention double patty smash burgers made from grass-fed, drug-free beef.

Rhode Island-style hot wieners are another local favorite. Made from beef, veal, and pork sausages, smothered with onions, mustard, and meat sauce, you can find them in almost every diner or greasy spoon between Pawtucket and Warwick.

Just north of Blackstone, you’ll find a Jewish Delicatessen serving pastrami and corned beef cured in-house from scratch. On the waterfront, you’ll find Plant City, a two-level food hall that serves nothing but plant-based dishes inspired by traditional Mexican, Italian, and American recipes. In Fox Point, south of College Hill, you’ll find long-simmered moles and hand-ground heirloom corn tortillas made from the Mixteca region of Mexico.

For those who prefer upscale dining, downtown Providence is crawling with restaurants run by James Beard Award nominees. Some of the best chefs in the Northeast work here, using local and seasonal ingredients to craft unforgettable dishes, such as stuffed butterfish, Hudson Valley foie gras, and Basque-style cheesecake. The city is a whirlwind of flavor, where every meal is an adventure, from the appetizers to dessert.

Reliable Public Transportation

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) runs the city’s bus lines. A quasi-public, independent authority, RIPTA has been responsible for public transit since 1966. The agency operates 58 fixed-bus routes making an average of 2,700 trips a day, shuttling people from Woodsocket in the north all the way to Cranston, Warwick, and Westerly in the south.

Thanks to their experienced drivers and management team, vehicles either arrive on time, or within 1-5 minutes of their scheduled departure. For those interested in exploring the beaches around Narragansett Bay, RIPTA connects you to the Providence Ferry Terminal Downtown, which carries passengers to the coastal cities of Bristol and Newport.

Academic Excellence

Students living in Providence have access to some of the finest colleges and universities in the country. Brown University, one of the eight schools in the Ivy League, is famous for its commitment to outstanding scholarship, intellectual freedom, and open curriculum, which allows students to study subjects across a wide range of disciplines.

Art students can hone their talents at the Rhode Island School of Design, which offers instruction in a wide range of creative fields, including film, animation, photography, and graphic arts. Johnson & Wales University has a huge number of majors for both graduate and undergraduate students, allowing them to build the skills necessary to pursue high-paying careers in everything from accounting to healthcare, media, and culinary science.

Though not as well-known as Brown, Providence College is one of the top ranking schools in the Northern United States, with science, liberal arts, and humanities programs designed to foster moral, social, and intellectual development. Together with its innovative industries and strong job market, the city is one of the best places to learn, grow, and prepare for a career in the modern knowledge economy.

Active Nightlife

There’s no telling where a night out in Providence will lead you. On any given evening, you’ll find karaoke, trivia contests, and live bands in bars and clubs across town. You can play classic arcade games at Free Play Bar or light up a stogie at Cigars Masters or laugh until you cry at Comedy Connection, Providence’s leading comedy club.

For craft cocktails, stop by The Avery, Marcelino’s, or Needle and Thread. For something off the beaten track, check out Riffraff Bookstore and Bar, one of the few book sellers that serve libations in the back. Or dance until you drop at Alchemy, Platforms, and the Salon, with live DJs performing every weekend. If you prefer a quiet drink with friends, head down to the Trinity Brewhouse, the oldest pub in Rhode Island, or knock on the door at Justine’s, the city’s most popular speakeasy.

Annual Festivals

As if a night out in Providence wasn’t fun enough, the city also hosts public fairs, concerts, and events regularly throughout the year. No matter your interest, there’s always something to look forward to. Notable highlights include:

  • Restaurant Week. Enjoy special deals at some of the city’s leading restaurants. With dozens of participating venues, it’s your chance to experience some of the finest food in town.
  • PVDFest. The area’s signature art festival, featuring dance troupes, live music, and art installations along the Providence River. The creative energy draws talent from the United States and beyond, for a diverse and inspiring look at the innovative spirit that drives communities around the world.
  • AS220’s Foo Fest. A massive block party put on by AS220, the city’s leading art collective. Held annually in Downtown Providence, the event features dozens of inventive, imaginative, and experimental works by avant-garde creators.
  • Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival. The largest public film festival in New England, showcasing new and established directors from across the globe. Winning entries qualify for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.
  • Rhode Island Comic Con. Featuring guests from all facets of the entertainment industry, this is your chance to discuss pop culture with fans and creators, and get the latest news about upcoming movies and TV shows.
  • Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Visit the Roger Williams Park Zoo and stroll through dark pathways, guided by the flickering lights of thousands of carved pumpkins. One of the spookiest and most popular Halloween celebrations in the Northeast.

However, for sheer spectacle, nothing can compete with Waterfire. Held only a few times a year, it turns the Providence River into a captivating, outdoor art exhibit, with bonfires rising out of the water to cast a warm, captivating glow over the city's parks and skyscrapers.

Dynamic Art Scene

Between its art schools, art societies, and art museums, it’s clear Providence has a thriving arts community. As the creative capital of New England, the city prides itself on invention, personal expression, and originality. The city’s artists are widely celebrated for their ability to mix traditional forms with cutting edge techniques in order to create bold, contemporary designs that excite and challenge viewers. With several rotating galleries located both downtown and along the Mile of History, residents have plenty of opportunities to appreciate the diverse range of talent within the city’s artistic community. Gallery Nights, held on the third Thursday of every month, provide free, guided tours of the city’s prominent museums and art institutions.

But while these facilities help expand the public’s imagination, Providence doesn’t believe art should be confined to exhibit halls. Through the Avenue Concept, the city’s public art program, the government funds murals and sculptures in parks, squares, and busy streets, to create an urban environment that’s both colorful and eye-catching.

Well-Situated

One of the benefits of living in Providence is its proximity to some of America’s largest cultural hubs. Boston, Hartford, and New York City can be reached in only a few hours, either by car or train (Amtrak operates daily services between each city), opening up a wealth of opportunity for travel and tourism.

Moving to Providence

No matter how far you’re moving, North American Van Lines has the skills, knowledge, and resources to get you there safely. We’ve been relocating households for over ninety years, with comprehensive services covering the entire process. From planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery, our agents ensure the transition to your new home is as seamless as possible. Make your move an adventure, not a headache. Contact us today for a free quote!

Start your free quote now!

Call 1-800-228-3092 to speak to a representative.

Moving Companies Serving Rhode Island