What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has the distinction of being the smallest state in the country in terms of area. You can find it located along the northeastern edge of the country along with the coastal states.

Don’t let its size fool you though. The state of Rhode Island has a lot to offer any folks interested in taking up residence there. It may be exactly what you’re looking for in a new home state.

High-quality education is easily accessible to residents of Rhode Island. The state also possesses plenty of natural beauty as evidenced by the abundance of waterside attractions there. The expensive homes and long winter days in the state do take away from its overall appeal though.

Are you contemplating a potential move to Rhode Island? Learn more about the pros and cons of going through with that move by reading on.

Rhode Island is a great place to live in if you have young kids. It’s easy to find reputable grade schools, middle schools, and high schools in the state. Schools in Rhode Island routinely earn high marks for the quality of education they provide.

Arguably the best aspect of the educational infrastructure in Rhode Island is that it doesn’t favor specific areas. No matter where you live in the state, there will be a high-ranking school nearby. You don’t have to let school districts determine where you should buy a home in Rhode Island.

After your child graduates high school, they can choose from one of the esteemed higher education institutions in the state. Rhode Island’s collection of colleges and universities is among the best in the country.

Brown University is located in Rhode Island. The aforementioned private university is one of the most prestigious schools in the entire world. Over the years, Brown University has produced many notable alumni including Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel Prize winners, and MacArthur Genius Fellows. Numerous other luminaries in various fields also came from the halls of Brown University.

Simply earning entry into Brown University is regarded as a remarkable accomplishment. Brown University has one of the lowest acceptance rates of any school in the entire world.

If your child has an eye for art, then perhaps they will benefit from attending a different Rhode Island school. The Rhode Island School of Design may be more appealing to them as a proving ground for their talents and sensibilities.

Unsurprisingly, the Rhode Island School of Design’s art programs have consistently ranked among the best in the country. Many influential figures in the fields of art, graphic design, as well as film and television came from that school.

Rhode Island occupies a pretty plum spot along the East Coast of the United States. Thanks to that, the state finds itself serving as home to a wide array of gorgeous natural locales.

People don’t call Rhode Island the Ocean State for nothing. Found all throughout the state are numerous breathtaking beaches. Among our favorite beaches in the state is the Napatree Point Beach. Napatree Point Beach looks like an unspoiled slice of paradise. It’s the kind of place you want to visit if you’re looking for a peaceful retreat.

For those looking to have more fun along the water, the beaches in Narragansett Bay are the places to visit. They are especially great for surfing.

We also want to highlight Block Island for those looking for a great beach to visit. The rocky Mohegan Bluffs that serve as the backdrop to the shore can help you take some great pictures.

If you aren’t in the mood for the beach, there are other natural attractions in Rhode Island that are worth seeing. Hikers will definitely want to drop by Jerimoth Hill at some point. Jerimoth Hill features the highest point of elevation in the state.

Colt State Park is another place to add to your list. Visit Colt State Park during the fall to understand just how special it truly is.

As we mentioned in the introduction, Rhode Island is the smallest of all the states. That’s not necessarily a good or bad thing. Still, the state being on the small side does have its perks.

For instance, getting around Rhode Island is pretty easy. No matter which Rhode Island neighborhood you live in, you’re never too far from other locales. You don’t have to spend several hours on the road just to reach another city inside the state.

Unless you run into heavy traffic, your longest drive within the state should still take an hour tops. Even with traffic, you’re probably still just adding 10 to 15 minutes to your trip.

Speaking of traffic, that can be a bit of an issue in Rhode Island. It doesn’t take much for the roads to get crowded there. Just remember that you’re never too far away from your destination so rushing may not be necessary.

Moving to the Northeast is not always easy. More often than not, the high house prices are the obstacles that prevent people from moving there. Unfortunately, you’ll have to deal with those obstacles if you’re planning on moving to Rhode Island.

The median cost of a home in the United States is $231,000. In Rhode Island, that jumps up to $285,000. Houses are still more affordable in Rhode Island compared to some other states in the Northeast. Still, that additional $54,000 can be tough to put together.

Your new home is not the only essential purchase that will make a big dent in your bank account. Other essential cost of living expenses in Rhode Island are also quite pricey. Utilities in particular tend to be very expensive in the state. Do your best to moderate your power usage to avoid bill shock when the payment comes due.

Because of Rhode Island’s high cost of living expenses, many folks who move there start out by renting an apartment. They work their way up to the home purchase instead of buying one ahead of the move.

Dealing with snow is just part of the seasonal routine for many Rhode Island residents. On average, the state gets 35 inches of snow annually. That’s significantly higher than the average snowfall amount for the rest of the country.

You have to be careful when trying to deal with the heavy snowfall in your area. Clearing out your yard and driveway is going to be necessary.

Many residents opt to use snow shovels, but that can be taxing on the body. Instead of a snow shovel, you could use a snow blower. Just remember to use and maintain the snow blower properly so it lasts for a long time.

Another tough aspect of dealing with the snowfall in Rhode Island is that it forces you to run your heater continuously. Given how expensive utilities are in the state, running your heater that much is going to cost you a lot.

Rhode Island being the smallest state in the country makes traveling inside it easier. On the flipside, the state’s small stature also means that it’s densely packed. You’ll have a tough time finding a popular spot in the state that isn’t crowded.

The summer season is when the state’s population density becomes an even bigger issue. Add the tourist population to Rhode Island’s population and the end result is crowded areas just about everywhere you look.

Touring through Rhode Island’s most popular spots is a lot of fun during the summer. Unfortunately, you may have a tough time completing that road trip because of how crowded all the popular places are.

Related Questions

Which Foods Should You Try in Rhode Island?

When you think of Rhode Island cuisine, you probably think of seafood. You’ll be glad to know that there are indeed plenty of terrific seafood dishes that are popular in the state.Among the local favorites are clam cakes, stuffed quahogs or stuffies, and Rhode Island clam chowder. If you’re not a big fan of clams, the calamari dishes in the state are also absolutely delicious. You can then wash that all down with some frozen lemonade.For dessert, many Rhode Island residents prefer munching on some doughboys. Pair those doughboys with some coffee milk and you have a nice afternoon snack.

What Is the Economic Outlook for Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has been hit hard by the recent economic downturn. That comes as no surprise given how much the state relies on tourism.Unemployment there is currently at 7.2 percent, which is higher than the nationwide rate. Job growth is also projected to be slower there over the coming years.The state of the economy in Rhode Island is a legitimate reason to hold off on your plans to move there. You may want to wait until it bounces back a bit before deciding what to do.