Providence . . . a historic city reborn
The national media is abuzz! MSN named Providence to its list of top ten places in America to live, calling it the "most improved city" in the nation. The New York Times headline reads, "Providence Begins To See Its Future . . ." Forbes Magazine named Providence among the top 50 places in the country for business and careers. Similarly, Money Magazine named Providence as the best city in the East for young professionals because of our superb quality of life. In 2007, the National Trust named Providence one of the dozen most distinctive destinations in the US, and the list goes on and on!
In the last few years, Downtown Providence has been undergoing a striking renaissance that has added an official Arts and Entertainment District and European style to its classic New England beauty. Out-of-State real estate developers have recently discovered Providence and are currently investing more than 3 billion dollars, building high-rise hotels and condominium towers Downtown and transforming Providence's waterfront. The New York Times states, "Providence begins to see its future
The East Side of Providence has direct access to Interstate 95, which can quickly take you to some of the Rhode Island's beautiful ocean spots, or on to Boston, one-hour north, or New York City, three-hours south. The States small size makes it convenient to live in the culturally rich Capital City and work just about anywhere in the State with no more than a thirty-minute drive to work. The average commute to work in Rhode Island is only fifteen minutes. In fact, many East Side residents walk to work!
Roger Williams, A famous religious freedoms advocate, founded Providence in 1636, when he purchased the land from the Narragansett Indian tribe. A statue of Roger Williams in Prospect Park, in the East Side's College Hill neighborhood, commands a breathtaking view of the Rhode Island Statehouse and Downtown.
All things good
Comfortably fitting into the picturesque East Side neighborhoods are a variety of fabulous small bistros and cafes. Providence is home to the renowned Johnson & Wales culinary and hospitality University, which fuels the City's world-class culinary scene.
East Side residents not only enjoy fine food, but also have a healthy appetite for the visual arts and design. RISD student artists and graduates are featured in street fairs on Benefit Street and at the RISD Artists Store. The RISD Museum, Gallery Nights, Providence Art Club and many other venues, give the East Side Community constant exposure to new trends in art and design, and regular opportunities to buy "artist studio direct"!
Providence tops the list of American Cities that are most appealing to telecommuters and those at the forefront of the new "creative economy". The East Side is a hub, attracting creative individuals whose work allows them the freedom to live most anywhere they choose. Providence, with its exceptional quality-of-life, appeals to this growing group of dynamic individuals. When the need arises to leave town, either for business or pleasure, T.F. Green Airport (PVD) is just a 10-minute drive from the East Side.
Downtown Providence, where three rivers now run, is reminiscent of Venice, complete with romantic gondola rides, river walks, quaint arched bridges, and a waterside amphitheater at Waterplace Park that is the frequent site of cultural events and scenes from the TV show "Providence". Providence Place Mall, containing an array of national retailers including Nordstrom's and an IMAX Cinema, is located right across the street from Waterplace Park. Downtown Providence also boasts the country's first indoor shopping mall, circa 1827, the unique multi-level Arcade, is home to small shops and restaurants. A few blocks down from the Arcade is "PPAC", the Providence Performing Arts Center, where many shows are booked throughout the year. Just down Washington Street from the Providence Biltmore Hotel is the renowned Trinity Repertory, which has a busy schedule of critically acclaimed plays. South Main Street and Thayer Street contain the Cable Car and Avon Cinemas respectively, which show a range of movies but specialize in art house and foreign films.
Multiple environments
India Point Park and South Water Street border Downtown Providence on the southeast. The park is a pleasant spot for strolling, dog walking and sailing. At its end is the ferry terminal for Rhode Island's nearby vacation spots, Block Island and Newport with its mansion tours. South Water Street and nearby South Main Street contain clubs and restaurants providing a variety of atmospheres and food to suit many tastes in one five-block area. Just north of India Point Park is the Fox Point neighborhood and Wickenden Street retail area, a strip of trendy independently owned stores, antique shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. You can relax on the porch of The Coffee Exchange, where students and hip types eat muffins, sip coffees and hangout.
Can't forget the kids!
The East Side has much to interest children and is also a richly dynamic environment to raise a family. Having many neighborhood parks, biking & hiking paths, beaches, children's museum and Kid's Library, skateboarding park, zoo, sailing, ice skating, nearby skiing and a network of top independent schools, East Side families have plenty of choices for nurturing young minds and bodies and keeping children happy and engaged.
All-in-all, Providence is a welcoming, colorful and charmingly manageable City that is a wonderful place to live life fully. The City is true to its name, "Providence".
See our selection of East Side TOP 40 Homes For Sale
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Located in New England on the Atlantic Ocean and Narragansett Bay, Providence, with a population of 175,000, is a small, friendly, sophisticated City full of beauty, history, good food, intellect, art and culture.
Brown University
The East Side, with 20% of Providence's population, is home to Ivy League, Brown University, founded in 1764, and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and the thriving artistic and intellectual community they attract.
Many stately, refurbished Colonial and Federal period mansions can be found in and around Brown University and College Hill. Benefit Street is a visual treat of New England architectural beauty, complete with 19th-century-style streetlights; here you will also find historic churches (Baptist and Unitarian), the Providence Art Club, RISD Museum along with many other cultural and historic points of interest.
WaterFire
On designated evenings throughout the year, wood braziers, interspersed along the riverfront between Waterplace Park and Hemenway's Seafood Grille & Oyster Bar on South Main Street, are lit to create the visually stunning WaterFire, which is often accompanied by strolling musicians and other street performers. Nearby are many popular, upscale restaurants, like Capital Grill, New Rivers, XO, Mills Tavern and Al Forno.
A lively Italian neighborhood, Federal Hill, borders the Downtown area on the west side and is full of interesting restaurants boasting world-class Italian food. Marking this community just above Downtown on Atwells Avenue is a pineapple sculpture on an arch that overhangs the street. On the edge of Downtown bordering Federal Hill sits the Providence Convention Center and the Providence's Civic Center, the venue for rock concerts, The Ice Capades and Ringling Brother's Circus.
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