There’s a place called Smash and Splash in Cranston or Warwick I think where you can go and destroy junk with baseball bats, golf clubs, etc. very fun

This is really sad, I loved the noodles here :(

I only went once but there seemed to be a wide variety of groups there, couples included. I think it's open to anyone/everyone

Looks like you did a good job!

If your friend from NY asks you to bring over a pizza and you bring pizza strips, they're not going to be pleased, is what I'm saying.

Also, to the part where you are questioning my identity: born-and-bred Rhode Islanders have unique, proud identities that I can't personally relate to, so yeah, having moved here at age six I do still feel like a transplant. I don't think that's unreasonable.
And, I'm 31, because apparently age matters?

Calling it tomato pie seems more reasonable.

I'm an RI transplant from NY (moved when I was 6). When I was 6 years old I went to a "pizza party" expecting a slice of NY pizza pie and instead they served up these "pizza strips"... I was seriously disappointed.My brother says that they are essentially old sponges slopped out of a sink that are topped with dollar-store Ragu and I have to agree with him.

Actually, the more I think about it, calling them "pizza_" anything is a travesty. Doing so is an affront to the natural order and should qualify for crimes against humanity.

Long Live Beer works has trivia on Wednesday, we went for the first time last week and really enjoyed it!

Spoken like a true Rhode Islander!

Random bits of my impressions that may or may not be helpful

Orlando:- Tiny downtown area that feels like a real city. I didn't spend much time here but a friend rented an apartment in a high-rise and it was really cool and trendy at the time (we were in our early 20s) Most of "Orlando" is actually tons of suburban sprawl, neighborhoods and strip malls, for miles and miles. Lots of places to eat and things to do, but you have to work to find local places amid all of the franchises.

- Despite have 4 lanes of traffic on major roads somehow the roads are ALWAYS congested with traffic. Orlando drivers tended to be wildly unpredictable - either too slow or downright dangerous drivers. Also, you probably need a car.

- People were generally friendly. The weather is always warm, sometimes too hot, and very, very humid. Lots of rain daily. Every building is air conditioned though.

That was 2013-2014 so things may have changed since.

Providence:- The part that feels like a city proper is also pretty small, but overall less franchises. More local places. Lots of art. Universities have a big influence here, so lots of students and artists and events going on (not as much as New York or Boston though, but more than I was able to find in orlando) Lots of old historic buildings, if that's your jam.

- The food scene is small but really, really good. I moved here from Boston and Providence blows away the restaurants from the bigger city.

- You get 4 seasons, generally (this year the winter is super mild). Summers can be hot!- People here tend to be friendly but you get that New England vibe from them, folks are busy and more curt. However you have less "Florida Man" type people than Orlando (that can be a pro or a con depending on what you value)

- There is a decent bus system although a car would be more convenient usually. It's actually a bikeable city. It's very drivable. Rhode Island drivers are strangely almost as wild and bad as Orlando drivers, to my dismay, so watch out for that. Also the roads are under construction all the time, forever.

Providence is a weird place but in a fun, artsy, local kind of way.
Orlando is weird in a "I'm screaming and everything is on fire" kind of way.

Definitely agree with u/anoncamcam that PVD hasn't bounced back since Covid so it's a little sleepier here, and also that there are probably much better places in Florida to live. Unless you're a Disney adult I guess, in which case Orlando is still bad, you'd want to move to Kissimmee instead.

Edit - I saw in your comment below that you're looking for a diverse place. Orlando is super diverse, heavily hispanic / latino but with people from all over.PVD is more white for sure, but there is also a large hispanic / latino population, and the universities bring in a lot of diverse and international students, although not sure how many of them stick around after graduating. I'm white so I can't speak much more to the experience of POC here, although my partner is south-asian and she's been enjoying living here so far.

Is this an original character? It looks creepily familiar for some reason

I've lived in Orlando and Boston and Providence is better than both. Moved here in September and loving it so far. Can't wait for summer!