Living in PVD, especially the Brown/RISD area is very safe, but you’ll pay for that of course. You’ll get plenty of culture, but not anywhere near as much as NYC, but we are a short train ride from nyc. Groceries are expensive mainly because where you might be shopping, but soon a Trader Joe’s will open close by, and there is an Aldi not too far from that area, but not walkable, you’ll save much more shopping there vs say the Whole Foods. There is Eastside Marketplace which is operated by Ahold (Dutch grocer), which is full service supermarket, but smaller and a bit more expensive than the discount stores. Food is more expensive here vs say Europe or Asia, but cheaper than Australia, New Zealand or England. The US dollar being strong now will also hurt if you convert your expenses to your home currency.