I am so sorry to hear it. It sounds like two really badly timed traumatic events. Smith hill can be a mixed experience, from what I hear. If it makes you feel any less guilty about your moving choices (which you shouldn't feel bad about), I know someone who lived on the East Side and had two home invasions the week they moved in (same perpetrator, took the spare key) which always helped me keep in mind that crime can be really random, even in the sleepiest neighborhoods.

You are absolutely right that it's not even about money or credit these days, but simply about luck and timing. I had the best luck by sorting by new. If you need to move ASAP and just want it over with and don't feel lile a competition, you can find a 2k studio in any of the new builds available now and I can tell you they are willing to negotiate for under a year, if that's what you want. These arent the most exciting buildings and overpriced, but they are all very well lit and in safe areas and moving in should be a breeze.

For context, the last time I heard of a friend having a $750 1 bedroom here was in 2010, so I wouldn't expect anything on that end. It's pretty hard to pay that even with a 3 or 4 bedroom rent split in Providence. Keep in mind that utilities for a 1 bedroom can be as high as $400-$500 if you have inefficient heat like electric and other costs like hikes in car insurance really add up fast, so budget accordingly.

I wouldn't normally give this advice, but with your lower budget and uncertainty between cities, maybe look into Woonsocket since it's about equidistant to both. It's pretty remotely located and it is definitely an acquired taste (do a lot of research and visit), but the cost and geography might make it a good bet (especially since you seem indifferent on a lot of aspects of where you live).

Lived here for years and go to RW a lot, but not super recently. I gotta be honest that the offerings and participating restaurants were super underwhelming this year. Gracies has a decent amount off of their 5 course if that'a your thing, but it's definitely a splurge.

All I want to talk about is what is up with that ketchup?

You'd be surprised at how random the traffic patterns are in Boston. Sometimes you just get dealt with an absolutely terrible hand (I don't commute, this is just my experience on occasional drives during the work week with random congestion). 11pm is no problem, but 2pm could vary.

This is what I would call an expert commute-- the kind of thing that is much easier to navigate when you have a year under your belt to contextualize it. At the very least, you should come out here and drive it once at noon to test your tolerance-- how tolerable really depends on the person.

The state is perpetually at the 10 yard line in opportunity and can't score a touch down due to mismanagement.

Genuine question, but doesn't it make visibility atrocious at night? MA is already like the darkest state I've ever had the displeasure to drive through.

Sort by new, pray, cry, repeat with tomorrow's listings.

People know it's illegal-- they aren't asking for permission. They're dead set on circumventing it and asking here if anyone has "a guy" more or less or how to take it off and reapply at a lower cost. I've never had tinted windows in any state, so the desire is lost on me (minus someone who posted with Lupus, that really made sense).

I don't think so and I'm from a "friendly" (read: passive aggressive platitudes) state. Rhode Island circles are hard to break into because people already have their circles after decades, but the same could be said about moving to a small town in any "friendly" state. After many years of working with locals, I have much more of a dedicated community than I ever did in my home state (but admittedly, it is hard to make plans with someone who is always going to a second cousins first communion or providing childcare for extended family). I'm from a small family, so I have no experience with those dynamics.

This is going to be a hot take, but the real estate gold rush here is far more unfriendly and un-neighborly than anything I experienced in the past. Before I get dumped on for this, I don't mean mellow people looking for a home from other areas and finding their footing, but the "investors take note" type plugging in airbnbs, sitting on a house for a year without moving in and reselling for 100k profit, and flippers taking a starter home and increasing the price 5x after some new paint and appliances. Some of these are longterm locals, but I'd say many aren't and this profit-obsessed-type lacks investment in the community which, to me, is properly unfriendly.

I'd rather live next to someone who keeps to themselves in their home or than a vacant investment, airbnb, or construction site.

At the current interest rates, I'm going to say unlikely. Even in Warwick and absolutely not in Southern MA unless OP has a large downpayment to offset the interest rate.

I've actually never toured a dog friendly apartment since moving here a decade ago (and I didn't exclude them). I was always looking for older homes, local landlords and the best ones overwhelmingly drew a line at dogs.

And ya. I moved here and in one afternoon had an apartment lined up (after viewing 3 great ones and having our pick). Now, you're lucky to simply get an email back.

OP, keep in mind that just because something is in your parameters online, that it doesn't mean it's likely to get it. I'd look at things like how many people have contacted the realtor via the posting or if it's an "open house" (when like 30+ people might as well get a raffle ticket). Sorting by new helps you be first in line on the ideal apartments. It's very similar to how seeing a house listing and having an offer accepted on a house are very different parts of a home buying process. And yes, this is true even if income and credit ratios are good because the application just isn't going anywhere if several good candidates are ahead of you.

Dog friendly skews heavily on the side if new builds, though some house rentals are more friendly. I don't see a ton of dog friendly multifamilies, but that's just my experience over moving several times. My friend is moving into a dog friendly, in unit w/d new build and the going rate is 2k/studio. I've shared basement laundry with buildings of 5-10 people and it's hardly an inconvenience.

Having a dog here is unfortunately hard mode in an already extremely hard process. Good luck.

A lot of no pets places tend to be more flexible around cats-- at least small landlords. No harm in asking.

Pawtucket is the best of times or the worst of times, depending on the street. I'd do a lot of research if you aren't local and going to commit without experience living there.

I see you said E.P. If it's nice out, id check out the East Bay Bike path area for a walk and maybe the area around Borealis coffee.

The downtown bridge is nice, there is quite a bar/brewery scene in the armory neighborhood that's more recent.

Federal Hill is nice and I'd swing by Pastiche (their chai vanilla lattes are basically the best hot drink in the city). You can easily walk between the main points on Westminister, Broadway, and Atwells very easily since you're not driving.

Check out the small businesses on Hope and Blackstone Boulevard.

"that might show us what living there would be like? "

If you want the real local experience then get rear-ended by someone on I-95 changing over 5 lanes to make an exit (no turn signal, of course). /s

My advice would be to see what your life would be like if you actually lived here. So if you can't afford to rent in downtown or something, then I wouldn't spend all of your time there. Check out the neighborhoods in your price range, if you are commuting then do the commute you plan to do at rush hour, if you're a light sleeper/WFH, then check out the neighborhoods to see how noisy it is at night, during work hours, etc. So much depends on why you want to live here and what your non negotiables are.

I think other people will have the classic charm things handled so that's my contribution.

edit: I also see you said Fiance and if you're buying in Providence you should be aware of where things stand with the schools-- "it's complicated"

Dreadphile used to be crazy active every month for years, but I think the guy running it took a break a while back. Looks like the page hasn't posted in about a year.

Also, based on the school closing comment, the kids are likely younger. Elementary aged kids are going to be terrible at keeping up this kind of charade (and for how many years is this the plan?). I agree it will likely lead to trauma and lost/strained friendships if they get kicked out. Sharing this experience on your end is so helpful.

My interpretation of the last sentence is that if primary custody is shared between multiple districts (main example: two parents who are separated but share custody could choose the district between the two parents). Care of a guardian here doesn't mean helping with child rearing but the state assigning guardianship (so a sister, aunt, grandmother who is a full time appointed liasion).

You are certainly more than welcome to contact the district that you are hoping to go to and they can tell you whether they are able to enroll. I would strongly caution you against doing this under the table as it could be very disruptive for your kids to have to abruptly unenroll and difficult to explain. It's likely it will come up when your kids get to know friends.

I'm going to assume they are elementary from the school closing comment, but I would say your best course or action would be to complain to the district about this disruption in school closure to see if they can get you into your top choice (this is often Vartan if you need a suggestion). And while you're at it please remind the district how poor of an idea that is. I am sorry that your kids school is closing.

Yeah the collective income of the unit really needs to be (so a couple or combined income of all the roommates). Sometimes it's not even the rent, but the utilities on top of everything else when it's not being split.

Lots of Parking. I recommend trying the Nitro Bar while you're there too.

South West Missouri is just a different world. But hit up Johnson Shut-ins and camp in the Ozarks while you're there.

That sucks. I have been here for about a decade and it'a a huge benefit knowing many areas of the city super well. That being said, there are still entire neighborhoods I don't know very well at all. I suggest you rent somewhere that you can afford a mortgage so that you can vet whether this is a place you's want to make a 10+ year commitment. Research everything from the schools (if you plan on having kids know what route you want to go), to the traffic patterns, any pollution you might want to know about, etc. There's a lot of subtle stuff it's good to know about going into it.

Ah thats right! thanks for the correction. I believe they eliminated a lane (which really hasn't been missed, as a driver).