Eight of us (ages 19-27) are considering moving to coastal New England for a few months just to unwind for a while, though we don't know very much about it. We were considering Providence RI, New Haven CT, or nearby suburban areas. Do these cities have significant portions of ghetto, or are they as nice as they appear on tourism sites? What other nice places on the coast might we be able to find a big house (around 5 bedrooms) for under $2500 monthly? All info will be helpful, given that we know almost nothing about that region, other than its reputation for beauty.

Every city has some neighborhoods that are sketchy. Both of the cities you name have made great strides in the past decade or two, but Providence has done a much better job. My daughter moved there from Boston and loves it. Here are some sites that were useful in her move:

http://www.providenceri.com/moving/moving.html

http://www.wsbe.org/Education/Pointers/rhode.html

http://www.providenceonline.com/providencemonthly/

www.projo.com

Both New Haven and Providence have ghettos, the ones in New Haven being grimmer. Providence has more of the feel of a decaying ethnic town struggling as Italians, Irish and Quebecer elderlies meet their reward. Let me suggest trying to rent a place in the Wakefield-Naragansett area. Very lovely that way.

I'd definitely pick Providence over New Haven. New Haven is really not very nice. If you want suburban and nice near New Haven, I'd consider Fairfield (about 20 minutes south). It is an interesting mix of college town (Fairfield University, my alma mater, is there), and a very nice suburban town. I lived there for 8 years after college, and loved it as both a student and full-time resident.

Karen

You might want to look at Portland Maine. A very interesting, medium sized city on the coast, with lots of great scenery and beaches just outside the city.

As a native, I'd like to defend New Haven. The city is beautiful and centrally located. You can easily take the train to NYC or Boston for the day or weekend. It has world class museums and theater (thanks to Yale). Though many posters on this forum imply that the downtown is a ghetto, this is not true. It is hard to stumble into a ghetto area when you are walking unless you are starting from the hospital (and there is no reason to be there unless you are sick). In general, New Haven is a very walkable city with plenty of good housing (again, thanks to student demand).

I would also assert that New Haven has equally good Italian food to Providence, and certainly the best pizza on the east coast (brick oven).

The neighborhoods have many nice gourmet grocery stores.

For your age group, I think you are wise to think about a college area--Providence, New Haven, and even Boston/Cambridge are good choices (though boston might be too expensive).

I have to agree, Portland, Maine is one of the most beautiful area in New England and still quite reasonable. A good source to check out would be http://www.mainetoday.com

Good luck

I don't want to sla New Haven because I haven't been there for year but I do not have a favorable recollection of it.


what are you going to do when you move.. do you have to work or just "unwind?" I hav elived in Prov for years before moving and can testify that it has really improved. There are lots of ethnic neighborhoods, colleges, good theater , yet you only need to drive about 45 minutes to see the country side or the ocean. Because of RI School of Design there is a pretty strong artsy and alternative vibe and Johnson and Wales culinary academy means lots of new resturants. The real estate prices have jumped in the past 3 years but if you stayed away from the specific student areas you could probably rent a house for the price you say.

Wherever you choose to settle, I think the problem that you will have is finding a 3 month rental, unless you plan to rent either for the summer or off-season (eg. renting a ski chalet in the summer or a summer house in the winter). I've never thought of Providence or New Haven as summer resorts, like I would Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

If you are able to obtain a 3-month rental, are you looking for furnished or unfurnished accommodations? If you rent a house, it is very likely that you will be responsible for the lawn too.

If you are unable to procure a short term rental, I suggest that you contact real estate brokers that have listings that have been on the market for a lengthy period of time. If the home is vacant, the seller might be interested in a short term rental while the house is on the market in order to reduce his overhead. But realize, if there is a mutual interest, that although you will be helping out the seller by furnishing the rooms to give the house that lived in look, you'll need to keep the home impeccably clean every day, and that you will have real estate agents and prospective buyers coming in and out of your abode 7 days a week. Appointments can be scheduled, but all of you will have to be out of the house during viewings.

We rented a house in Newburyport, Ma location could not be better- the riverfront house was a few miles off the Atlantic Coast- an easy ride to New Hampshire, Cape Ann, and Maine. The home is family own and rented monthly or weekly (off season). I found it in Yankee Magazine and as of last issue the ad was still running (I can't find the website but the phone number in the ad is 617 267-8565) -- the house is lovely, heirloom furnishing - and as I mentioned ideal location.

I noticed that you chose 2 cities near the ocean. If the ocean is part of the idea, the nyou might want to ask about that in those areas as well. I went to Milford (CT) a couple months ago and the water was like a lake. If you are looking for something with a little more surf, then you may want to go towards RI (not sure how it is there near Providence) or further up towards Mass, NH, and ME. Depending on where you are from, the cost of rental might be a shock to you. We moved to Mass back in January from the south and our rent on a smaller house than the one we were buying in the psuth is twice as high as the mortgage in the south. And we are nearly an hour west of boston. But if you have no worries of kids and etc, then you should be able to find something for your price range even around Boston somewhere. Vacation rentals will be much higher though during the summer season...

I suggest you check out Portsmoth,NH. Right on the water, 60 min from Boston or skiing/hiking (if you're interested in those activties). The town (city) offers plenty to do if you're so inclined. Portsmouth has a strong sense of community, has historical significance and is visually the quintessential New England town.

And I would also agree with the Portland, ME suggestion though I've never lived there. (I grew up in Portsmouth.)

Where are you moving from? You may find New England to be a faster pace than you think! Providence and Portland,Maine are both very nice, but hardly the charming cottages and day boats that people see in their minds when they think of quintessential New England...
What is a few months? 2,3,6? Are you going to be looking for some type of work? If so, what kind of work? What time of year will you be coming?

I am 26, and have had the ultimate blessing to have lived in New England my entire life. However, I can't imagine anyone moving here, especially young adults, without considering these factors. I would be happy to give a recommendation with a little more information...