I’m sorry to say it, but if $1250 is at the top of your budget you will very likely need to live with a roommate. Even in the surrounding areas the absolute floor is like $1500. Moving in the spring certainly isn’t going to help for sure, but the overall housing market is just batshit insane right now.

That said, if your budget is based on car ownership you may be able to slide up your housing budget a few hundred bucks in exchange for ditching your car. Providence is plenty walkable and if you have a few months you may be able to find a place close enough to work to justify going carless.