The 5 Best Neighborhoods In Providence, Rhode Island

If you love the beach, Travel + Leisure says you'll love Providence, Rhode Island, a destination with 400 miles of shoreline. According to Condé Nast Traveler, this quintessential town will give your family a typical New England experience but with a nice dose of culture and the perfect excuse to decorate in the Cape Cod style. The outlet notes its up-and-coming art scene and large, diverse collegiate population as some of the most beautiful things about living in Providence.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, Providence came in at number 105 of the top places you'd want to call home and 47 for the best place for retirees, noting the many cultural attractions like the RISD Museum and top restaurants to entice artistic residents. Since Brown University is nearby, it's also an excellent place for students. If you are considering moving to this sprawling urban mecca in Rhode Island, keep scrolling to see the five best neighborhoods.

Wayland lands in the top spot! There's plenty to do in this neighborhood. The Rhode Island Monthly says not to miss Wayland Square, a lively community with spectacular restaurants and boutique shopping. The outlet notes a perfect morning would start at the Wayland Bakery. This 1928 landmark serves delicious baked goods and coffee, or you can go for an international menu at Madrid European Bakery and Patisserie Bakery. For lunch, stop by the Irish pub, McBride's, and for dinner, enjoy a classic dinner at Wayland Square Diner. According to HomeSnacks, the neighborhood has a median home value of $557,950 and a median income of $63,196. The unemployment rate is also low, 1.1%, and the crime rate is 1,584 for every 100,000 people.

Per Trulia, residents love the walkability of everything, from grocery stores to top restaurants. One commenter said, "It's the east side. Very upscale and friendly. Best place to live in Providence. Just enough city but still in the suburbs. Safe and great for children." Another resident raved about the convenience and boasted about all of the activities available within walking distance, which is something to consider!

If you want to be nearby for cultural and educational institutions on the East Side, then the College Hill neighborhood is for you! According to Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, College Hill is situated near the Rhode Island School of Design and Brown University, founded in 1764!

Per HomeSnacks, around 9,000 people live in this lively area, with a median home value of $488,000 and a median income of just over $61,000. With such prestigious universities nearby, it's no wonder College Hill is a coveted place to live. As for home style, Stephanie Basile, a Lila Delman Real Estate sales associate, tells Mansion Global, "The styles are mixed—everything from Greek Revival and Colonials to Victorians. It looks like a New England village in a city." The outlet points out that College Hill is part of the National Historic Landmark District, which is quite notable.

Calling all self-proclaimed foodies! According to Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, Elmhurst is the ideal neighborhood if you love food or enjoy discovering new restaurants. The tourism site suggests Papa Paulie's to get your day started with a delicious breakfast or lunch. If you're on the go during the work day, stop by Anthony's Italian Deli for delicious sandwiches or Food for the Soul, a no-frills spot with plenty of top comfort food options like the chop BBQ dinner or the BBQ rib dinner. There's a not-to-be-missed Peruvian restaurant called Machupicchu Restaurante with dishes like Papa a la Huancaina or Lomo Saltado.

According to HomeSnacks, just over 10,500 residents live in this neighborhood, with a median income of over $61,000 and a median home value of $190,236. Don't overlook this neighborhood if you want to be within walking distance of some delicious restaurants! It's all within reach in Elmhurst.

If you're looking for an urban neighborhood with a suburban feel, look no further than Blackstone! Niche highlighted the unique vibe of the area and the many coffee shops, restaurants, and bars as major draws for families and a young workforce that live there.

According to Trulia, the highlight of the Blackstone neighborhood in Providence is its prime location, which is so important! The residential option has everything you could want nearby! One neighbor told Trulia, "It's close to everything, grocery stores, banks, the farmers market, playgrounds, the highway, etc." Besides the walkability, people also enjoyed how dog-friendly the neighborhood is for their fur babies, the well-tended lawns, and being near hip restaurants as favorite things about living in Blackstone. HomeSnacks noted this neighborhood of around 6,336 residents to have a median home value of $441,850. The median income also hovers at approximately $107,880 for the location.

If you want to experience the excitement of city living, SpareFoot recommends choosing DownCity in Providence's downtown area! The site notes nearby attractions like the Providence Performing Arts Center, the Providence Place Mall, and the dynamic WaterFire outdoor installation as notable things to see.

Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau says there's incredible architecture, including the tallest building on Westminster Street, known locally as The Superman Building. The Industrial Trust Company Building, which has a spectacular Art Deco design, was built in 1927 and is a whopping 428 feet tall. If you love shopping, don't miss Arcade Providence, which is known for being the oldest mall in the U.S. Of course, the dining scene downtown is stellar, with options like Capriccio for European staples to The Capital Grille for delectable steak dishes. There are nearly 5,000 residents living in the neighborhood, according to Niche, so if the hustle and bustle of city life are for you, consider DownCity.