I actually have checked out the property twice. Once months ago and then again this weekend. The property has been renovated superbly. The apartments are spacious and have all the amenities plus loads of character. True they are pricy but I've been to most of the new mill renovations (Puente/Plant, Calender Mills, Promenade, Pearl, Royal Mills and even the unfinished Hope Artiste Village) and the finishes are really the best I've seen at Pearl. It's true the neighborhood is kind of sparse but I have a car. There is 24/7 camera surveillance of the property. I got the feeling that the neighborhood was safe enough for a city. Coming from philly, "murder capital of the east coast" I probably don't scare easily enough.
By the way, how is the cab system in Providence?
I'm really spoiled by the cabbies in philly, not the friendliest lot but always plenty around and great for getting home from a pub.