Well, last year I considered taking a job in Madison, and there are other significant differences between Madison and Providence, not very visible but which make a huge difference to the individual. First of all, their public education system is among the best in the nation; their high school is ranked #4 nationwide. Thus, because of that single difference, if I had gone there, I'd be living in town instead of being stuck in the suburbs like here. It's a huge factor. Then, if you want to live there "there are no bad areas" and crime is fairly low everywhere. Finally, housing is much cheaper. Altogether, it means that one has many more options as to where to live in Madison than in Providence.