My DH grew up in Rhode Island, and moved to Seattle for college, where we met. He stayed, and 15 years and two kids later, we're still here! He would really like to move back to Rhode Island, and I'm considering, but just don't know much about the job and housing market there. We've visited his parents there many times over the years, and I love it, but visiting is different than trying to find jobs, houses, daycare, etc 3000 miles from home. Does anyone have any advice? There didn't seem to be any activity on the Rhode Island board, so hoping somebody on the Boston board may have some insight!
So - if you were going to move to the East Coast, where would you suggest looking? What companies would you look into for jobs? What is the housing market like? We both make a good income now, and are used to city life, but are looking for a slower pace to raise our family, and where I could stay home or work part time if it worked out financially.
Thanks!
Re: Cross Country Move - Advice (Rhode Island)
I use to live in RI
I lived in Providence and worked full time for hotels. (sales & marketing)
What is your profession? I can tell you what companies are big in the area -
What else would you like to know about RI - what town in RI are your inlaws from?
The East Coast and West Coast are two different worlds... I loved Providence - I'm from Boston.. I currently live in Boston with my one year old daughter and expecting my second child this July!
Let me know what info you are looking for and I'd be happy to give you my input
Thanks! My in-laws live in Kingston, right next to the University. Both of them are teachers - one at the university, one in middle school.
My husband has science degrees (chemistry and biology) but has been working in contracts/sales/marketing for the last 5 years. I am a contract negotiator for a large company, and have done both government and commercial contracting for the last 10 years. We are both pretty open to different opportunities - main goal is just a slower pace of life, and enough money to enjoy our time with our two kids!
We would want to be within a 30 minute drive to our work if possible, and would like to be able to buy a home with at least 1/2 acre lot. We are sick of the long commutes, cookie cutter houses and tiny yards here!
I'm moving to RI from Cape Cod! I loooove RI, I just love that it has everything so close (city, beaches, great food, lots of entertainment, suburbs, great schools, many different colleges and so on). Lincoln, RI (just north of Prov) has been on the list of 100 best places to live in America for years (I think it's 60-something right now) and I believe it also made a list of top places to raise a family. I also hear it has a great school district. As far as work goes, I'm in food service so Providence is ideal for me and my husband does sales and marketing and he's landed multiple job offers and interviews since he started looking.
Another great area that I would recommend is Cranston (just south of Prov). Also has great schools and similar city access. I know nothing really about southern RI (pretty much anything south of Cranston/Warwick area)
We are moving into the city of Providence since we're looking to rent and still only expecting our first child so school districts aren't very important just yet, but we would like to purchase in Lincoln. It an be difficult to move to the city if you don't know the neighborhoods, but RI is so tiny that it's easy to research without feeling overwhelmed.
Apartment hunting in RI is horrible, but I bet house hunting would be fun! There are so many cute white picket fence neigborhoods! The kind of neigborhoods that would make you want to start a family just so you have an excuse to move there.
I grew up in RI and now live in MA. It's great! I grew up in Jamestown which is an awesome little town on the water (it's actually an island). It can be a bit expensive these days to find a house there, though. North Kingstown and the other towns around your in-laws are all great. I went to high school in NK and thought the school system there was fine. If you want to be closer to the city, Warwick has some nice areas, as does Cranston and Providence.
The jobs market depends largely on your field. You can see if Raytheon is hiring, they have a couple different campuses in the state. https://www.jobsinri.com/
Good luck if you do move!!
Married DH 7/30/11
CSC arrived 5/7/12
CHC arrived 6/2/14