I’d echo this. Edgewood (Providence or Cranston — we share a zip, 02905) or Pawtuxet Village (Cranston) or even Gaspee Point (Warwick) are all close enough to downtown to be easily commutable (no highway) but very family friendly.

May be able to get beer or wine at convenience stores in MA, might be worth a call.

I don’t think any liquor stores in RI are open today. Pretty certain MA has the same rule.

My wife commutes to the hospital daily, starting in her fellowship, and I do it regularly for daycare dropoff/pickup. Not for nothing, with traffic there’s no such thing as a guaranteed ten minute commute to the hospital unless you live in like, the Jewelry District or maaaaaaybe Fox Point

I second this. Elmhurst is excellent and exploding with new young families

Thanks for your honesty!

I will admit that the school complex out here confuses me. I grew up in a part of the country where you just went where your family happened to live, with no charter or private options offered. My home school has a similar ranking to this niche page, but in addition to the daycare we had we also had a steady stream of ivy league admissions and ranked one of the most diverse schools in state. I will say that our district was very supportive of staff and admin and my teachers spent their entire careers there-- so it does seem like it's good you heeded that managerial warning.

I guess I'm just always trying to share that kids are pretty adaptable. I will admit we lacked some AP classes, but my friends just got credit by getting books and self studying.

Not trying to change your mind-- I sincerely hope you are happy with your district! Just trying to soothe some nerves of people my age who might not know some of the more successful graduates of lesser ranked public schools.

Agree!! Edgewood is a good spot

I second Edgewood.

Exactly!!

I wouldn’t even hit the highway if I lived in Edgewood. I worked on Atwells Ave and live in Warwick. I just took Warwick Ave straight into the city and cut through the neighborhoods of traffic sucked.

Not 10 min from hospital with traffic though….

And during traffic you can use allens ave and Narragansett parkway to get there if the highway is jammed. They go right through to eddy and the hospital

Yes, Edgewood is really nice. Patuxet Village is too, if not too far.

No. East Providence is not 10 min drive from the hospital when that bridge gets backed up.

Yeah no. Not helpful.

Check out the Oak Hill neighborhood of Pawtucket. Just over the city line from Providence on the East Side. Because it’s technically Pawtucket, housing prices drop sharply, but is very nice with TONS of young families!

Elmhurst is a great option in PVD for families with kids. We’ve been here for 10+ years and the number of young families continues to grow (at least in our corner of the neighborhood).

Biggest downside is schools. For elementary we’ve done parochial. Friends have done same, as well as some in public and others charter. Oldest is now at Classical

I admit I’m a harsh judge of schools.

As for EP specifically, their academics and student progress are really not great, especially their middle schools, some elementary schools are decent but others not so much.

I also have a lot of close friends in school/city management and the ones that work in EP describe such ineptitude and uncaring management it’s amazing.

When we were looking for houses, EP was quickly ruled out because of the schools. We spent a lot of time visiting, researching and it just kept landing near the bottom.

Other than that it’s a nice community though!

Maybe the new high school will help, because the sorely need it!

Angell street is open til 5 thank you

Edgewood is great; is also close to roger williams park. stay on west side of the bay bridge traffic can be a disaster. Pawtuxet village may work for you too.

https://www.providencejournal.com/story/lifestyle/food/2022/11/10/restaurants-open-on-thanksgiving-2022-where-to-book-a-table-in-ri-take-out-options/69613552007/

It's not subscriber only so if you're reading enough stories to hit the paywall, maybe consider subscribing.

Friendship Market/Phonm Penh market (not east side, on the West End) is open. Decent meats and veggies.

Yeah I work there, Eastside Mart on Lloyd is open though

I’ll also vouch for East Providence. I bought over near Pierce Field almost 2 years ago and the town and neighborhood is nice and close to green spaces and the bike trail and walkable to the city. It’s ideal. The new high school my son goes to is awesome and we will be updating the other schools too. Also let’s keep Metacomet green 🙏🏻

Completely agree with this Chong Qing recommendation!