SperlingViews - Rhode_Island, Rhode_island

Though I have met some very nice people in Rhode Island, I'm amazed at the number of rude individuals I've encountered. Every morning, I hope to survive the day without being ridiculed by a total stranger. Rhode Island is full of angry, mean spirited, people who need to drag others down to feel better about themselves. There's an enormous amount of ignorance in this state. [read more...]

According to a recent news story, each household in the state of RI would need to pay about $35+K to bring unfunded liabilities. Given the severity of this situation, be prepared to spend more money on taxes. RI will never be tax friendly to retirees who are not from the government sector or a school teacher.[read more...]

Best little state in the union.[read more...]

I moved here with my husband and two children a few years ago because my extended family resides here. Since I cant get them to see what life is like in the rest of the world I will probably live here for quite some time, reluctantly. The people are extremely rude. Inhabited by rich snobs and the bitter "lower-class" that are under their feet. There is beauty in some of the nature when it comes to this state and unfortunatly, if it werent for these aweful people you come in contact with this could be a serene place to live. Everything is OVER PRICED. The theme is, pay through the nose for mediocrity or worse, because everyone is either struggling or greedy. This applies to all goods. Things have not changed since the days of the rich vs the poor here. Yes here in RI you are not inbetween, you are either rich or poor because every chance the state gets, and each town within, they it drains your earnings to stuff their pockets. This is also the reason why you will see goods and entertainment are so expesive here. Most families here live check to check or off of credit. I have lived all over the world and I know what it is like outside the walls of RI and I know that there are better and friendlier places to live> ANYWHERE BUT HERE PS: I chose to live in Portsmouth because it is the best of the worst and the scenery sometimes makes me feel like I'm not in Rhode Island anymore.[read more...]

I moved here with my husband and two children a few years ago because my extended family resides here. Since I cant get them to see what life is like in the rest of the world I will probably live here for quite some time, reluctantly. The people are extremely rude. Inhabited by rich snobs and the bitter "lower-class" that are under their feet. There is beauty in some of the nature when it comes to this state and unfortunatly, if it werent for these aweful people you come in contact with this could be a serene place to live. Everything is OVER PRICED. The theme is, pay through the nose for mediocrity or worse, because everyone is either struggling or greedy. This applies to all goods. Things have not changed since the days of the rich vs the poor here. Yes here in RI you are not inbetween, you are either rich or poor because every chance the state gets, and each town within, they it drains your earnings to stuff their pockets. This is also the reason why you will see goods and entertainment are so expesive here. Most families here live check to check or off of credit. I have lived all over the world and I know what it is like outside the walls of RI and I know that there are better and friendlier places to live> ANYWHERE BUT HERE[read more...]

The economy here is awful and the weather is terrible. The cost of living is absolutely out of control! [read more...]

Definitely four distinct seasons. Spring is beautiful, summer is perfect, fall is beautiful and winters are very cold.[read more...]

We just got 22" of snow before the season had officially started. Taxes would be a burden for a retired couple as well as the winters......one winter we got over 110" inches. We are a state with an area 65 X 35 miles and over a million people. Very crowded![read more...]

Rhode Island has one of the highest unemployment rates and a shrinking population.[read more...]

While I do love the state of Rhode Island, my affection does not stem from the weather conditions. Before I continue I must say that I enjoy the weather of all four seasons. However, Rhode Island becomes frequently cloudy in the summer, and receives and much rain/ice as it does snow in the winter. With these factors considered I would advice that one should move to Rhode Island if weather is not a major concern.[read more...]

I live in Rhode Island. Its way to expensive here its not a bad place to live but the cost of living is crazy. The taxes are high and we don't get much for them. I live in Warwick. Its probley the best palce to live in RI. Good nieghborhoods and plenty of store around. Warwick has 2 malls,the states only airport and a train station is being built now.[read more...]

Rhode Island can be a very expensive place to live. I have lived here all my life and have seen the prices of housing rise greatly. For about 30 years I lived in Washington County (aka South County). I was priced out of the area a few years back and it is now very common to see properties listed in the millions if they are waterfront/waterview. Rhode Island currently (2008) has the distinction of having the nation's highest unemployment rate and a state economy tht is running a high deficit. If you find yourself in the position of needing to find a job or losing your job the prospects are very bleak indeed. Some of the best housing deals can be found in Warwick/West Warwick, if you can get a mortgage that is.[read more...]

Rhode Island is a very pretty state with lots of beautiful water ways. Coming from teh San Francisco Bay Area for work I was very excited by the less expensive housing prices. However Rhode Island has a very high tax rate! Property taxes and income taxes are very high. In 4 years our property taxes have gone up consistently and therefore increased our payment added into our mortage from $500 per month to presently $750 per month on a $375,000 house. Food is expensive whether it is in the grocery stores or at a restaurant. There are no $1.00 taco trucks here! It is great to be able to reach everything in the entire state in 45 minutes or less. When using sperlings comparisons for other locations everything in RI comes up more expensive except housing for all of the locations I am considering which are warmer weather well known locations. I've realized that all in all moving will be a flat change in overhead expense because what I would be saving in taxes and the daily expenses like food would enable me to own a more expensive house. Quite a surprise. When I first came here people locally denied this and mention "taxachusettes" to prove their point. However in the last year I have heard many people talk about possibly moving over the state line into Massachusettes to save money. All of the high taxation makes a very big difference in the price of gas and larger purchases and many locals drive to Mass to spend their money. Who knew the littlest state would prove to be the one with the highest tax rate.[read more...]

Rhode Island is a beautiful State to live in with all of its tourist attractions and activities. However, as with many States, it has a hugh budget deficit. As a result, for the average senior citizen, it is becoming too expensive to live here.[read more...]

High and getting higher[read more...]

Property taxes are high. Rents are high. The mandatory car insurance is expensive. More and more of the industrial jobs that RI was known for have moved South. Its hard to make a living with the tough economy. An estimated 1000 families have left RI according to an article in the newspaper.[read more...]

Everything is taxed, cars, boats, campers, gasoline $0.31/gal. excise,[read more...]

higher cost of living relative to average employment rates[read more...]

Lived in Rhode Island for 2 years and to me, it's hands the worst state in New England. It has the worst drivers in the country according to the latest GMAC survey (http://www.turnto10.com/automotive/4541164/detail.html) and the cost of living is very high. Now I know that no matter where someone's from they're always going to say that drivers from their state are the worst, but having grown up in Massachusetts, lived in Florida, California, and even Mexico for a while, I can honestly say that Rhode Island drivers are the most the aggressive and unintelligent drivers I've ever encountered. The latest Morgan Quitno Press poll which ranks how livable a state is, has Rhode Island in 26th place (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11747698/) down three places from last year and making it the worst in New England. Trust me, there's a reason why the unemployment in Providence is at 6% and the future job growth, as listed on this site is, -0.91%. If your looking for quality of life look elsewhere, because while some would try to have you believe that Providence is a "Renaissance City" this is definitely NOT the case.[read more...]