23F moving to Providence

Submitted by Main-Love4638 t3_113taaq in RhodeIsland

Before anyone says it, I know there are tons of posts about moving to providence but its hard to find EVERY single one so please bear with me (:

I am a 23F from MA moving to the Providence area in May/June for work, which I know may be a rough time due to the college students. I was looking for some advice when to look, if anyone has ay knowledge of what that turnaround schedule looks like.

My bigger question is about apartment complexes. I'm not sure how many are in Providence OR Pawtucket (which im open to as well) but if anyone has any recommendations for those, I'd definitely prefer to live in one just as a single female, I feel it will afford me a better feeling of safety. Or generally, what you feel the best area is to move to as a single female.

And on the off chance that any landlords are seeing this who may or maynot have availabilities coming up in May or June, feel free to reach out please and thankyou!

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** incase anyone asks my budget is 1250 but if I could go under that'd obviously be most optimal

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*** EDIT I have taken the advice and started asking some friends to be roommates. thankyou for everyone who was realistic with me without making me feel too bad! (:

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Comments

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DoggyP93 t1_j8s3ka5 wrote

You should start looking now there is a shortage of apartments. Also, with your budget you will likely need a roommate even if you don't want to live downtown. The average rent for a 1 bedrooms in providence is over $1600

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jdmess401 t1_j8s7lcb wrote

Unfortunately, the very unhelpful landlord in the comments is correct, prices are outrageous—and like you now see, they’re unwilling to accommodate anyone that will make them any less than top dollar.

Do you have a car? Prices in Warwick were a little cheaper last I checked, but you’d likely be sharing a house as opposed to an apartment. Try networking with some friends to find a roommate, if you can.

I’d search the sub for other discussions about renting in Pawtucket, there’s plenty to read through.

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howsyourlife t1_j8sc28d wrote

Start looking for roommates or expand your search to outside areas.

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MT_Photos t1_j8skhai wrote

If you don't need to live in RI and can look at Seekonk or Attleboro id recommend both - lived in Attleboro for 2 years found it cheaper and more peaceful

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Rizsen t1_j8sl0kf wrote

You should give Rumford a shot. My wife and I lived there for a few years (at 400 Pleasant St) before we bought a house. It's not easy on the eyes, but it was cheap and it's a hell of a lot better than living in the bucket. It's just a short ride to Prov and Seekonk. Looks like a 1 bedroom goes for $1295, upon a fast google search. Good luck.

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buddhasmile t1_j8srkj1 wrote

I’m reading all the post what am I missing here. I’m a Landlord in Woonsocket that charges rent for 2 bedrooms + heat and laundry for $1100.

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scammers_beware t1_j8stm7t wrote

"for work" hopefully means you have a job waiting. RI is the "gotta guy" state. I work for a landlord. There's apartments always available, if you are willing to pay for it. I would like you to consider that Providence has just put on the books a law that taxes landlords more if they are not living in the actual apartment building. If you live in providence, you can take the bus system which is actually pretty good, but parking is going to be difficult for you. Parking is at a premium, and the best you will need to do is to get a permit from the city so you can park overnight. It's better to live outside of Providence proper, warwick, maybe West warwick, cranston, pawtucket, these are all good options, Johnson is a little bit more expensive but everyone there has a yard.

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SusieRI t1_j8su6p7 wrote

I don't have an answer or advice for most of those things in your post, but I would strongly suggest you also look at East Providence.

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BiddahProphet t1_j8syver wrote

1250 isn't going to get you much in Providence. Check out all the areas around it. Most of Rhode island is only a 30 min max commute to Providence we're a small state

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schkoda411 t1_j8t1zvx wrote

$1200 might get you in a complex with just a very small room. Pawtucket has some OhKay areas but stay out of central falls. Most mill buildings I work in are well over $1600 now starting for a decent area

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strugglebus984 t1_j8t34p6 wrote

I’ve done a search of apartment complexes I’m aware of in North Providence, Pawtucket and Smithfield that are nice, but according to the websites, 1 bedrooms and studios are 1800 and up. As others have noted, I think you will need to look further away from Providence or get a roommate. Sorry!

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boop-snoot-boogie t1_j8t7xtn wrote

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.

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PrinceHomeless t1_j8tphvk wrote

Looks like you got the budget advice already, so I'll spare you that bit. I've found the sweet spot to be seriously looking at apartments (i.e. going on tours) 4-6 weeks before you actually move, so in your case, in mid-April throughout May for a June move. I find it helpful to be casually scoping out neighborhoods and prices before that as well.

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Status_Silver_5114 t1_j8twqno wrote

Also - if looking in PVD - med students start looking in Feb and March for June 1 availability Fb July. So if you have the slightest expectation of a place for that time frame start looking now. If your employment situation is still tbd I doubt you’ll be able to get a place solo / with a roommate pvd is doable?

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DeanOMiite t1_j8ur91l wrote

I'm a realtor, have been for 12 years, got my start in the business doing apartment rentals. Feel free to DM if you have housing questions. (I'm not soliciting for business, I don't even work with renters, I just want to help)

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64bit_Tuning t1_j8v1xov wrote

Get away from Providence ASAP

The state is small enough that you can reasonably live just about anywhere and not be too far away. Providence is a toilet.

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cojwa t1_j8vb5cy wrote

You can definitely find an apartment in Pawtucket for $1250. I’d also recommend looking in East Providence

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gustavrenfield t1_j8vs8pk wrote

Stay away from Providence Student Living! Best advice I can give

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jjgg20004 t1_j8vx7t8 wrote

I pay 1100 in Pawtucket the better side of it

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werewolfmanjack t1_j8wifj7 wrote

Just came here to recommend living with roommates at your age. You’ll be able to live in a more fun area and if you pick the right people you’ll have immediate friends and entree to the city. you don’t want to only rely on your co workers as your social group. Whatever you do - it will probably work out - just my two cents. My time living with roommates in RI were the best of times - some of them becoming life long friends.

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BingBong022 t1_j8xgk2c wrote

Haaaha, $1200 you might be able to rent a tent under a bridge for that

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CoffeeHarvester t1_j8xrllp wrote

I wish I had a suggestion other than "find some roommates" or "try looking elsewhere". It's pretty sad when a single person in their early 20s can't get started with an apartment somewhere. Same thing I saw when I moved west. People live with their parents until they're like 30 or banding together 4 different people to rent one space. Otherwise, you're either well off or on the street. Good luck.

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MT_Photos t1_j8yvnnh wrote

Replying to kaffee_ist_gut (#1,849,874)

They definitely have gone up - but I still think for value and quiet/safety you'll get more for the same money there. Plus taxes and insurance is cheaper vs in RI - I learned that when I moved to RI.

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kittyluxe t1_j925v5e wrote

as a fellow female transplant from boston - i suggest renting a studio in one of the many loft complexes in providence and pawtucket for one year or 6 mos. It might cost slightly more but they often give u a free month and/or include utilities and parking.
Its easy to move in and out, they are great with maintenance and have security. They aren't perfect but remove a lot of unknowns.
Honestly the neighborhoods of providence are really small with their own vibe. it will take u a while to choose a fave. My first place was in smith hill - found out i was paying for the tenant downstairs' hot water. So i moved to the west end - great apt and cool neighborhood although walking around alone sucked. I'd live there again. Just. Don't get a first floor apt.
I also lived in elmhurst ( was okay - boring) and in an old mansion in pawtucket ( gorgeous apt depressing neighborhood) I'm older now and live in the east bay because i can get to providence in 10 minutes and the beaches and neighborhood are beautiful.
I'd say make an adventure of it for a while, learn a lot and then find a place to settle in that truly suits you.

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