Velo Fellow

I think many of the latest incarnations of so-called new urbanism give it a bad rap. Often, they do seem to be trumped-up (if not Trumped-up) gated communities, which encourage people to be insular as Amerabizarro suggests. New urbanism as it was originally conceived is meant to create real community like you see in centuries-old European cities (and, of course, Manhattan). That just means that the stuff you really need is easily accessible and doesn't require use of a car. Reducing car use helps generate a sense of community by making outdoor spaces more inviting and encouraging people to engage one another (not to mention the environmental benefits). Diversity and inclusion is another basic tenet of new urbanism, I believe, but this is the one most often flouted by planners under pressure to keep property values up. My view is that one of the best ways to improve neighborhoods is to invest in non-car modes of transport - including public transport and cycling infrastructure.

Thanks everybody - much appreciated. $200 per month doesn't sound too bad! Much much cheaper than the British Rail and London Underground, that's for sure!

I'm expecting to move to Providence this fall, and I'll be commuting to Boston most days (working elsewhere other days, or at home). Anyone have opinions of the trains between Providence and South Station? Can anyone give me an idea of what a monthly or yearly rail pass costs? It seems that Amtrak doesn't publish prices on the net. Any input appreciated!

Anyone have High Definition TV? Does Cox offer it? What about terrestrial signals?

Well done, Priscilla! Hopefully, we'll be following in your footsteps before too long. But what's this about Whole Foods? Is there a doubt that it will remain open?

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful info! I expect to be in Providence within the next month to scope things out for myself. Here's another couple questions. Of course it's impossible to tell from maps how hilly it is... how daunting is the walk up from the station? What are the best parks in/near the East Side? From what I can tell from Google Maps, Blackstone Park is heavily wooded, but I've seen Prospect Terrace mentioned here and there. Which are the best for kids? Many thanks!

I was really glad to find this topic on the board. I currently live in London and just accepted a job starting in October (2006) in Boston. My wife and I have lived there before, and don't want to do that again, so we're considering Providence. I've been corresponding with various real estate people and they're (predictably) positive about everything, so I'm hoping to get some honest answers here! We're considering Providence for the same reason most folks do, I suppose - easy commute to work in Boston, lower cost of living & housing, lots of history, nice architecture, good restaurants, active urban renewal, good parks, etc. We also want a city that's manageable enough to walk or cycle to most places (the cycle paths are a big draw for us). For centrality and proximity to the train, we're thinking of the East Side. But our concerns are crime and schools. (We have a daughter who will be almost three then and another baby due in June.) I've seen conflicting reports on both of these topics. Are the public schools really as bad as everyone says? And would I be safe cycling or walking home from the train station at 10pm? Any advice greatly appreciated! [email protected]