You know what? The mob thing just makes it so much more colorful. The thing with the mob is, there’s that sort of thing going on all over. Here it’s more noticeable because it’s so, you know, compact. When I lived in Glendale, Queens, I had mob fronts on both sides of my building. Cianci and his boys are not a big deal to me. I miss Cianci.
Here’s another thing to love about Rhode Island and it’s also part of that compact-ness. You see locally famous people everywhere you go. You see reporters from the news at the market or your kid’s karate lesson. You see the State Treasurer filling his car up at the pump opposite yours. You see US Senator Lincoln Chaffee getting his own soda at McDonald’s.
If you managed to live in the Springfield area without ever getting mixed up in the mob, you can easily do it in RI. Are you looking at getting into politics? If not, you will likely never see it, even if you hang out in places run by the mob. Seriously, don’t worry about it.
Services are only bad in some parts of the state. For instance, I drive through East Providence (not a part of Providence, a separate city) everyday, and the paving and drainage on the roads is terrible. Directly over the border to the next town, everything is fine. East Providence is very poor, so the services aren’t good. Just like with every other state in the country, I’m sure.
Overall, you will see such a minimal difference from Massachusetts that it’s really not worth worrying. Your fiancee might, if he likes it rural (although Chicopee isn’t too rural. It’s not Sunderland or anything like that).
Eh, the streets aren’t great in Barrington either and it’s not poor. And it is the next town over from East Providence.
Anyway, yes, the average person is unlikely to get involved with the mob anywhere.
I’m a RI native and I think it’s a great place to live. If you are outdoorsy, RI has some gorgeous beaches, and also lots of places to hike and canoe or kayak. None of them more than an hour away from anywhere else in the state.
As someone else mentioned, there are tons of great restaurants in RI, some of which are mentioned on this site. Providence is a college town, so there are lots of funky shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. around the Brown and RISD campuses. Downtown Providence is home to a shiny new mall, an acclaimed regional theater, and WaterFire, which is one the funkiest art installations anywhere. Speaking of art, check out Gallery Night.
Another long time Rhode Islander here. The thing I like best about RI is it’s a cultural center. You have Trinity Square, which is a widely acclaimed theater. Unexpected Company which is one of the best improv groups ever. Providence Place, which was once described by the lovely Persephone as “The Mall of God.” Plus, you’re only an hours drive away from Boston and three hours from New York City which makes travel to those cities very doable.
