Warwick Ranked #83 in Money's List of Best Places to Live

Warwick Ranked #83 in Money's List of Best Places to Live

In the just released Money magazine annual Best Places to Live list, a ranking of America’s best small cities, Warwick, RI, was the only local contender to be recognized, coming in at #83 (incidentally, the same ranking it secured in the 2006 list). The magazine studied 746 cities with populations between 50,000 to 300,000, excluding places where the median family income is more than 200% or less than 85% of the state median and those more than 95% white. Reviewers screened out retirement communities, towns with significant job loss, and those with poor education and crime scores. Housing affordability, school quality, arts and leisure, safety, health care, diversity, and several ease-of-living criteria weighed in along with additional data on the economy (including fiscal strength of the government), jobs, housing, and schools.

Mayor: Distinction is "an honor"

“We’re very excited about that,” says City of Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian. “It’s an honor to be the only Rhode Island community included.” While Avedisian concedes the city didn’t move up in the rankings since being included some years ago, it’s great to even be on the list, he says, adding, “We have out a lot of effort into to preserving the quality of life we provide here.” The magazine cites Warwick’s proximity to Providence and being an hour’s drive from Boston as positive attributes in addition to ample housing for singles and growing families, retail shopping and recreational activities. Cranston, Pawtucket and Province, though unranked, were also contenders. Eden Prairie, Minn., took top honors.