well, i moved from out of state and i am sure
you have heard the stories about the corruption,
the nepotism and how everyone know everyone..
u can't mention a name without someone trying
to figure out if they know them or not ...it so annoying...
i think they are starting to realize that they can not
live in the past forever ...you would think it would
be the opposite since all the radicals that were
kicked out of mass. wound up here..the other radicals
that were later kicked out of mass. and ended up
in, say, wisconsin or calif. really started the progressive
movement so i still can't figure out exactly what happened
here but i am working with several econ and tech orgs
to promote the growth of technology in the state ,
especially since they have lost some 45k manufacturing
and other jobs in the past decade or so...
let me know if u want to know anything else..
david

so I skipped everyone's reply, in hopes of not being tainted..on the otherside of things, I might be repeating already discussed issues.

Anyway..I'm a true RI/Providence townie, though currently relocated in Boston. I was born in Providence, grew up in the heart of Fox Point and later up on College Hill. Thayer was one of my many homes through high school. I've seen every side of Providence, even spending a summer on the streets of the South Side and parts of Cranston.

If I hadn't grown up there, I'd probably be living there now. I need time away from it all, but maybe I'll be back in years to come. BUT..Providence is an *awesome* place. The culture, the arts, the people, the diversity, the weather, the politics. There is plenty not to like or be annoyed with, but name a place you loved everything about, and wasn't clouded by deceit.


SOOoOoOooo...To answer some of your specific questions:

Loves: Waterfire, the culture, the city-feeling without anysense of suburbia, being able to get across the entire city in under an hour, the music, being close to everything else in the northeast, but in a quiet city.

Hates: Nothing, though there are things I dislike.. Brown/RISD kids (but they play an important role..), needing a car (life is MUCH easier with one), oh hell..I guess I don't really have all that many.

Affordable neighborhoods: Depends on what you're looking for in a neighborhood, and your price range. For example, College Hill is more expensive than say, Fox Point..but it might be worth it if you're looking for something a bit more pleasant and warm. On the otherhand, most of the rest of the East Side is overpriced and not worth the extra expense (in my opinion). What are you looking for in a neighboorhood? I would suggest getting a small, crappy place somewhere as a sublet for the summer, and travel the city looking for a more permanent place. Contact me directly if you would like more information..the housing market is a little funky right now.

avoid: Why should one avoid anything in life?

Winter: I'm a skier, so I'm probably not the best person to ask. But I'll say this: The weather in the northeast is inherently spontaneous and unpredictable; you do just as well looking outside from time to time, as you do listening to the weathermen. The issue is the jet stream and it's movements from E/W. So in short, if you aren't an individual acccepting of spontenity and change, you'll often find yourself annoyed and frustrated. Oh..and there is no concept of "seasons."

transportation: RIPTA is pretty good, and I don't really have any complaints..but at the same time, the traffic isn't so bad that having a car is so inefficient, and the benefits do pay off. There are many times where going out to East Providence, Seakonk, Newport, or even Boston, are either easier, or desired for some reason. Also.. you're in the northeast, and going to N.H. Vt. Maine, or elsewhere makes for great weekend retreats.

airport: TF Green isn't the biggest, and doesn't have complete coverage..but on the otherhand, Boston's Logan airport does, and is only 60 minutes away. You could even go from anywhere in Providence to Logan airport 100% on public tranportation (granted, it would take awhile)

Other: what are you waiting for?

:D

hope this may have been of some help. Maybe now I'll read through what other people have said.