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Best Neighborhoods in Providence RI | 7 Affordable and Safe Providence Neighborhoods

There’s a lot of pros for moving to Providence! US News ranks Providence RI in the top 100 places to live in the country and the top 50 places to retire. The city has a soaring economy, vibrant arts and culinary scenes, and several top schools. Providence has many neighborhoods you can move to, each with its own special features. However, there are 25 official Providence neighborhoods, so it can be hard to find the right one for you. You should do research on several neighborhoods in Providence and compare each notable Providence neighborhood together. Here are the best neighborhoods in Providence RI.

Blackstone | Historic, Quiet, and Safe Providence Neighborhood

Blackstone is a neighborhood and historic district in northeastern Providence. It is located along the Seekonk River and is predominantly residential, so you have plenty of options for homes for sale with waterfront views. It’s one of the safest neighborhoods in Providence RI, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Providence for retirees and families with young children. Blackstone contains fewer attractions than in the other best neighborhoods in Providence RI, but there are things you can enjoy doing. Swan Point Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in the state and contains the graves of H.P. Lovecraft, Ambrose Burnside, and other notable Providence residents. Brown Stadium is the official stadium for Brown University and is a venue for athletics events throughout the year. Blackstone contains many single-family homes for sale, including ranch-style and Colonial Blackstone homes for sale with restored roofs and central heating. You can also move to Laurelmead, one of the best retirement communities in Rhode Island. Laurelmead is a co-op where all residents have say in the community’s management, allowing residents to control the social calendar, dining options, and community gardens.

Fox Point | Walkable Neighborhood With Top Plant-Based Providence Restaurants

  • Population: 5,001
  • Average rent for Fox Point apartments: $2,624 a month
  • Median price for Fox Point homes for sale: $568,000
  • Fox Point crime: 3,776 offenses per 100,000 residents (31.5% higher than the Providence average)
Fox Point is in the East Side of Providence. Interstate 195 runs through the southern tip of the community and provides access to other Providence neighborhoods as well as cities near Providence like Seekonk. It is a compact and mainly residential neighborhood just south of Brown University, making it a good choice for students. It’s one of the most walkable Providence RI neighborhoods, with a grid-like street structure and wide sidewalks to accommodate pedestrians. Fox Point contains several notable Providence restaurants, including the best vegetarian, vegan, and plant-based restaurants in the city. Plant City is the world’s first plant-based food hall with four restaurants and five counters where you can order vegetarian and vegan pizza, burgers, and sushi. Aguardente is a modern tapas restaurant with a range of seafood dishes and specially made cocktails. It’s a good choice for romantic nights out or meals with friends.

Elmhurst | Quiet Residential Providence Neighborhood Ideal for College Students

  • Population: 11,099
  • Average rent for Elmhurst apartments: $2,372 a month
  • Median price for Elmhurst homes for sale: $400,000
  • Elmhurst crime: 2,287 offenses per 100,000 people (20.4% lower than the Providence average)
Elmhurst is best known for Providence College, a private Catholic college. US News ranks it as the best regional university in the Northern United States. Providence College offers 47 undergraduate programs and over 300 study abroad programs, including top courses in business and social sciences. Even if you’re not a student, you can shop at the Providence College Bookstore and read books for free at the Phillips Memorial Library. Besides Providence College, Elmhurst is residential with no major attractions. Elmhurst has various large single-family homes, letting you rent out rooms to make money and accommodate family members. Six-bedroom Elmhurst homes for sale covering 2,800 square feet are available for $500,000, making Elmhurst one of the best places to live in Providence for affordable real estate. Elmhurst has one of the lowest home prices per square foot, $207, though home prices in the community are rising. Elmhurst is also the home of Roger Williams Medical Center, one of the top hospitals in Rhode Island, making it a good neighborhood for seniors and people with chronic medical conditions.

Downtown Providence | Best Providence Neighborhood for Attractions

Downtown Providence was one of the earliest settled Providence RI neighborhoods. It boomed during the 19th century and then experienced a decline during the 1960s and 1970s. However, the community has undergone a renaissance, and it’s one of the best places to live in Providence with an up-and-coming and hip climate and terrific attractions and restaurants. You can attend concerts and theatrical performances at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) and attend conventions at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Providence Place Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the state, with over 140 different stores and restaurants. You can also visit an on-site movie theater and attend events like holiday parties inside Providence Place Mall. Johnson and Wales University has its primary campus in Providence. US News ranks it in the top 100 regional universities in the Northern United States and in the top 50 best value schools in the North. You can find affordable apartments for students and young professionals throughout Downtown Providence, including 95 Lofts. Eco-friendly studio Downtown Providence apartments are available for $2,200 a month.

Federal Hill | Providence’s Little Italy and a Hub for Top Providence Restaurants

Federal Hill is Providence’s Little Italy. Travel + Leisure Magazine named Federal Hill one of the five best Little Italy neighborhoods in the United States, praising it for its charming historic architecture and delicious restaurants. Federal Hill is the best place to live in Providence RI if you’re interested in great restaurants and cafes. Il Massimo is a classy Italian restaurant with a rotating seasonal menu, including wines from boutique Italian wineries. Pastiche Fine Desserts is a casual and kid-friendly European-style bakery well known for its tarts, cakes, and scones. Federal Hill continues to have a substantial population of people of Italian descent, especially near Atwells Avenue, the main commercial and restaurant district in Federal Hill. But Federal Hill is a diverse community; 27.1% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% identify as Black or African American, and 5.5% identify as Asian. Federal Hill has a substantial foreign-born population, with over one-quarter of residents being born in another country. Currently, 69 residents come from Italy, while 494 come from the Dominican Republic, and 304 come from Guatemala.

College Hill | Most Affluent and Upscale Providence Neighborhood

College Hill is one of the most affluent Providence RI neighborhoods. It has the highest home prices of any Providence neighborhood and one of the highest median household incomes, at $55,800. You can find luxury and upscale College Hill homes for sale throughout the community, as well as exemplary apartments. College Hill contains complexes like FOUND Study College Hill, which contains studio and one-bedroom fully furnished College Hill apartments. It’s also the hub for colleges in Providence, being close to Johnson and Wales University and containing the campus for Brown University. US News ranks Brown University in the top ten national universities. Brown University is an Ivy League school with numerous exemplary programs, including some of the best programs in America for archaeology, history, and higher education. Moses Brown School is one of the best private schools in Providence. Moses Brown School is one of the oldest private schools in the country, well known for its comprehensive curriculum that includes foreign language and religion classes. These two schools make College Hill one of the best places in Providence RI for young people and students.

Wayland | Best Providence Neighborhood for Singles and Athletes

  • Population: 3,140
  • Average rent of Wayland apartments: $2,758 a month
  • Median price of Wayland homes for sale: $582,500
  • Wayland crime: 1,383 crimes per 100,000 people (51.8% lower than the Providence crime rate)
Wayland is another neighborhood located along the Seekonk River. Unlike other neighborhoods, Wayland contains a prominent riverfront park, Blackstone Park. Blackstone Park covers 45 acres and contains two ponds, open meadows, wildlife habitats, and walking trails, making it one of the best outdoor attractions in Providence. The park is home to the Narragansett Boat Club, the oldest rowing club in America. Anyone can join and enjoy rowing programs, including fun programs for teens and youths. The park and boat club make Wayland the best place to live in Providence RI for athletes and active people. Wayland is one of the safest neighborhoods in Providence RI and one of the most quiet Providence RI neighborhoods. It’s very popular amongst singles, with nearly half of households in the community consisting of just one person. Wayland is one of the best neighborhoods in Providence RI for singles. Wayland homes for sale are more modest than homes in other Providence neighborhoods, containing two or three bedrooms and covering less than 2,000 square feet. However, the Wayland real estate market is smaller than in other neighborhoods in Providence, so you may need to wait to buy a home.

Providence Neighborhoods Map

You can use this map of Providence neighborhoods to find great neighborhoods, including the best places to live in Providence RI for students and families. You have so many great Providence neighborhoods to choose from! You can find a vibrant and up-and-coming neighborhood with great attractions like Downtown Providence, or you can move into a quiet neighborhood with good parks and schools like Blackstone and Elmhurst. But moving to your dream Providence neighborhood means moving with the best Providence movers. Correira Brothers has over 15 years of experience in the moving industry, including thousands of moves to the best neighborhoods in Providence. Get a free moving estimate by calling 401-648-6683.