Located right by the water and between major metropolitan areas like Boston, New Haven, and New York City, this New England city has plenty to offer for all lifestyles. When you move to Providence, you’ll notice that even though you’re in a city, it still has a charming small-town feel.
If you’re moving from out of state, there will a substantial amount of planning involved in order to make the move successful. In this guide, we’ll go over the basic things you should consider for your Providence move, from factoring in the costs of living to finding a Providence moving company.
Have an Estimate of the Cost of Living
If you’re moving to Providence from a high-cost-of-living city such as New York City or San Francisco, you’ll enjoy the savings that you’ll get renting or buying property in Providence. However, if you’re coming from a city or town with a generally low cost of living, be prepared to spend a bit more on expenses like housing, utilities, and entertainment.
The median rent in Providence is $1,482, and the median home price is $485,243. Costs of utilities and groceries also need to be considered. If you’re coming from a city that has mild winters and summers, factor in that you’ll need to use air conditioning in the summer and the heater in the winter, which can make your energy bill more expensive.
Getting around Providence is quite convenient compared to many other cities in the country. There is public transportation available, the city is car and bike-friendly, and much of it is walkable. Providence has various neighborhoods, and you’ll be able to find shops, schools, and entertainment without having to go too far.
Know the Job Market
If you work remotely and aren’t planning to look for a new job when you move, this doesn’t necessarily apply. However, if you’re going to be on the job hunt, make sure to explore the job market and industries prior to moving.
The top industries in Rhode Island include tourism, manufacturing, fishing, agriculture, and the service industry. Some of the most popular jobs in Providence include software engineer, project manager, and operations manager. If you work in an industry that isn’t as common in Rhode Island, your job search could take longer than expected.
Find the Right Neighborhood
Compared to many other metropolitan areas, Providence is relatively safe. Within the city, you’ll find that there are a variety of charming neighborhoods that suit different needs. As you search for your new home, do research on neighborhoods within the city to see if they offer the qualities you need for your lifestyle or family.
Some of Providence’s nicest neighborhoods include:
- Downtown Providence
- Fox Point
- Elmhurst
- Blackstone
- Federal Hill
- Mount Hope
Providence has something for everyone, whether you’re a student on a tight budget or a new parent looking for a quiet suburban neighborhood close to schools.
Start Planning & Packing
Give yourself plenty of time (at least a couple of months) to arrange your move. One of the most time-consuming aspects of the moving process is packing – it never seems like there’s that much furniture until you start putting things in boxes. Getting a head start on packing will save you stress once you get closer to the moving date. Even if you haven’t finalized where your new home will be, you can start getting rid of items or furniture you don’t need and decluttering.
Along with packing, arranging the paperwork for your move is also a priority. Make a list of all the different services, bills, and mail you receive to your current address – you’ll need to update all of these. Consider that you’ll also need to update your driver’s license after you move.
Book a Moving Company
Finding the right moving company is also an important step that you don’t want to rush. Researching a moving company can be tedious in itself – you don’t want to hire a company that is not reliable or doesn’t handle your items with care. As you’re starting to declutter and pack, you should start searching for a moving company to set a date – they tend to fill up quickly, especially if you’re moving during peak moving season.
Isaac’s Moving & Storage has offices around the country, including Providence, and is here to help with your local or long-distance move. Our movers receive the most extensive training in the industry, and more than half of our business comes from referrals. We make customer satisfaction our priority and handle every move with care.
Let Isaac’s Moving & Storage help you have a stress-free move. Contact us today to get a free estimate.
