The Best Communities: Rhode Islanders Speak Out
Stephen Beale, GoLocalProv News Editor
The Best Communities: Rhode Islanders Speak Out
“I grew up in Massachusetts and I think Rhode Island, in general, is better than Massachusetts,” said Sharaya, a social services worker who lives in South County.
Sharaya yesterday was one of many Rhode Islanders who responded to GoLocalProv’s exclusive ranking of the best communities in the state.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn contrast to Massachusetts, Sharaya, who declined to give last name, said people in Rhode Island are friendlier. “The lifestyle is different in Rhode Island,” she said. “In Massachusetts it’s more congested—there’s more people. People here look at you, smile, ask how you’re doing.”
In GoLocalProv’s exclusive ranking of communities in Rhode Island, there was no doubt what the best communities were in the Ocean State. Based on everything from crime rates to how many museums or bars there are, we assigned a ranking to all 39 cities and towns and Cranston came out first.
Some Rhode Islanders—both in interviews and online comments—thought we were dead-on, while others said the numbers didn’t tell the whole story.
“It’s the best—there’s no place else to go,” said Kathryn Hackett, a 47-year resident of Cranston. Her favorite thing about her hometown? “That Garden City Shopping Center is a real plus,” Hackett said. Besides all the shopping, she said she liked to visit the gazebo and attend summer concerts at Garden City.
The arts scene and cultural life of a community was one of five things GoLocalProv looked at in coming up with its ranking. Other factors were crime rates, schools, taxes and income, and how affordable homes are.
Another longtime Cranston resident, however, does not think her city does well in three of those areas. “I think the taxes are little high,” said Jennifer Foster. “I think houses are priced extremely high.” Foster, who has three teenage children, didn’t think Cranston schools were the best either, but she said the city does have a lot of activities and sports to keep children busy.
Convenience Is Key
One former Cranston resident was torn over the question. Alex Sears, 19, now of Providence, said he isn’t a fan of big cities and the crowds that come with them, but he said Cranston has one big advantage.
“This is the most convenient city because everything is where you need it,” Sears said, referring to the shopping in the area.
But others said they preferred small, quiet communities to cities. Sharaya, the social worker from South County, said the city where she works is not her first pick for the best community in Rhode Island. “I guess I like the South County better than up here,” she said. “I like the less craziness. It’s not the hustle and bustle.”
Michele Cameron, who lives in northern Rhode Island, also questioned GoLocalProv’s ranking of Cranston, saying her work in social services exposes her to the seamier side of the city. “I feel that there are some nice areas but where we go it’s pretty low income.”
For Cameron, what makes a great community boils down to three things—good schools, safety, and quiet neighborhoods.