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The Best Places to Live in Rhode Island for a New Job

By Dillon Price, Monster Contributor

Rhode Island may be the smallest state by land area, but you’ll find big opportunities here. Nestled between Connecticut and southern Massachusetts, Rhode Island is called the “Ocean State” because of its 400 miles of coastline.

If you move to Rhode Island, you’ll love its beautiful beaches, safe communities, great food, and thriving arts scene. But choosing where to set up shop among the best places to live in Rhode Island can be tricky. Each Rhode Island community offers a slew of job opportunities and a high quality of life.

Here are some top reasons to consider living in Rhode Island:

  • Rhode Island is centrally located between Boston and New York City.
  • You’ll find some of the best beaches and coastal communities in New England here.
  • Rhode Island is among the safest states in America.
  • The seafood here is amazing.
  • There are tons of activities, attractions, and amenities packed into a small area.
  • Rhode Island has one of the best healthcare systems in the nation.
  • The public education system in Rhode Island is among the best in the country.

Seriously considering moving to Rhode Island? Explore the best places to live in Rhode Island below and decide which one is right for you.

Providence

Providence is the capital of Rhode Island and the state’s only major metropolitan area. It’s known for its vibrant and diverse neighborhoods and huge arts scene—centered around the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Providence has ranked among the best places for foodies. The city is known for its signature hard-shell quahog clams and is home to the Culinary Arts Museum. Plus, more than 83% of the restaurants here are local.

What else makes Providence one of the best places to live in Rhode Island? The cost of living in Providence is way lower than in Boston. And you can find tons of jobs in the life sciences, information technology, maritime, defense, shipbuilding, and healthcare.

Find Providence jobs on Monster.

East Providence

East Providence is located just across the Seekonk River from Providence. East Providence is known for its centuries-old architecture and historical sites, including the John Hunt House, the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse, and the Crescent Park Looff Carousel.

When you live and work in East Providence, you don’t have to travel to the big city to find places to dine, shop, and enjoy entertainment. The restaurants include everything from all-American grub to Portuguese fare. Plus, there are plenty of nightclubs, bars, and music venues to unwind on the weekend. If you love to laugh, come see the stand-up comics at Comedy Connection.

With a healthy economy and low unemployment rate, East Providence is one of the best places to live in Rhode Island and find work. The city’s leading sectors include green energy, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and finance.

Find East Providence jobs on Monster.

Pawtucket

Pawtucket is located just north of Providence and is Rhode Island’s fourth-largest city. Residents consider Pawtucket one of the best cities in Rhode Island because of its strong arts culture, local music, and suburban atmosphere.

Once known as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, Pawtucket has historically been a hub for textile manufacturing. Today, art and design is one of its biggest sectors—the city is home to some of the finest artists, designers, architects, and sculptors in the world. Additionally, many large companies are headquartered here, including Hasbro.

Find Pawtucket jobs on Monster.

Cranston

Cranston is a suburb of Providence, located just south of the state capital, and is the second-largest city in Rhode Island. The city has a dense suburban vibe and is a popular place for young professionals to live and work. It’s also known as one of the best places to live in Rhode Island because of its village centers, vibrant neighborhoods, and lively nightlife.

The economy in Cranston is made up of several industries. Healthcare and social assistance have the highest concentration of jobs, employing nearly 7,000 people. More than 5,000 people work in retail, which accounts for about 12% of the local workforce. Education is the third-largest sector, which supports roughly 4,700 jobs.

Find Cranston jobs on Monster.

Warwick

Just south of Providence and Cranston, you’ll find Warwick—Rhode Island’s third-largest city. Warwick is one of the best places to live in Rhode Island because of its suburban feel, access to Greenwich Bay, and outdoor recreation. The city is home to several beaches, and downtown Warwick is lined with local and national retailers, restaurants, taverns, breweries, and art galleries. The dining here includes everything from American fare to fresh seafood and Peruvian Tapas.

If you’re looking for jobs in Warwick, you can find most of them in education, healthcare, transportation, utilities, manufacturing, government, and leisure and hospitality. The city’s largest employers include Kent Memorial Hospital, Citizens Bank Warwick Call Center, UPS, and Metropolitan Life Insurance.

Find Warwick jobs on Monster.

Woonsocket

If you prefer a mix of urban and suburban life, then you’ll love Woonsocket. Woonsocket is located in northern Rhode Island on the border with Massachusetts and ranks among the cheapest places to live in Rhode Island. It’s also a paradise for people who love history and the arts. When you live and work here, you can experience live performances, see centuries-old architecture reminiscent of European churches, and browse the Museum of Work & Culture.

While Woonsocket is known as a textile-producing city, several other industries fuel the local economy in addition to manufacturing. Among them are healthcare, retail, and accommodation and food services.

Find Woonsocket jobs on Monster.

Dive into a Sea of Job Opportunities in the Ocean State

Now that you’ve learned about the best places to live in Rhode Island, have you decided to settle here? If your answer is “yes,” Monster can help you find a job to establish your new life in Rhode Island. Just set up your free profile and upload your resume to connect with Rhode Island employers. Plus, you can be an early applicant when you opt to have free job notifications sent to your phone.