Rhode Island is an incredible state and a study in superlatives. It features modern cities, small towns and rural hamlets that reflect the variety of lifestyles of the approximately 1.1 million residents who call it home. The state is a focal point for history, education and creativity. You will fall in love with summer water sports, the autumn foliage and the wide assortment of cultural offerings. If you are thinking about living in Rhode Island, one of these top places may be the ideal location.
One of the six New England states, the “Ocean State” boasts 400 miles of impressive coastline. While the Atlantic Ocean runs along its southern border, Rhode Island also shares borders with Connecticut to the west and Massachusetts to the north and east. Providence is the capital and most populous city. Home to Brown University and several other highly regarded colleges, the city has a vibrant atmosphere. The second largest city in the state, Newport is a vestige of the old New England seaside town and boasts several opulent mansions from the Gilded Age, such as the Breakers and Marble House. Along with revitalized Cranston and Warwick with its picturesque coastline, there are also smaller communities like Coventry featuring bucolic settings.
“Little Rhody” has the smallest area of the 50 United States. Dominated by Narragansett Bay and its tidal lowlands, the geography of Rhode Island also includes forests and rolling hills. The state is crisscrossed by a network of incredible bays and inlets with urban communities concentrated along the coastline. The limited size of the state and the high demand for housing makes living expenses higher than national averages. Most of Rhode Island has a humid continental climate that produces warm summers and cold winters. The southern part of the state has a more temperate climate that generates higher summer and milder winter temperatures.
There are many exciting ways to explore the state’s breathtaking scenery, rich cultural heritage and architectural wonders. The numerous white, sandy beaches offer some of the best swimming in the region. There are panoramic vistas from seaside cliffs and picturesque views of solitary lighthouses. You can enjoy a relaxing day at the beach or a romantic walk along the shore beneath the stars. There are colonial-era wooden buildings and cobblestone streets as well as National Historic Landmarks like the White Horse Tavern and internationally renowned museums. Well-known cultural celebrations, such as the Newport Jazz Festival, draw people and performers from around the world.
With a wide range of great cities and neighborhoods from which to choose, finding the best places to live in Rhode Island may not be easy. We will give you a leg up, as these cities are our top choices for the best places in Rhode Island. To refine your search for the best places to live in Rhode Island, customize the listings by population size, cost of living, education and employment as well as by several other criteria and amenities that are important to you.