Honestly, try to find something out of Providence itself at least for your first year. I haven’t really looked at apartments in 5 years since I moved, but even then it was slim pickings in the city itself. I could be wrong but you’d probably get more bang for your buck further away (and nothing is actually far from wherever your job will be). The issue with providence apartments is 1) scams 2) great on paper and then you get there and it’s actually a shithole in an area you don’t love. Move to the burbs if you can, less to worry about. Secure a job first and if it’s something towards or in Boston, move closer there/along a commuter rail if you can afford.