Seriously.
I’m thinking of moving there and I’d like to hear from Rhode Islanders (hell, I like the ring of that!) or former RIer’s about what is wrong with the place. No Jobs? Too much crime? No Sports team? Generally tacky people? What? Give me a reason NOT to move there.
Many thanks
For one thing, it’s not even a real island!
WTF is up with that?!
Their State Bird is a chicken.
Well, they talk funny, that’s for sure! Or maybe that just if you live in Warwick?
Euty is to person who sticks in my mine being from there. Maybe e-mail him? And we can ask Persephone if he has that adorable accent.
But it is a really cute and tiny state.
I jest about the accent because I have a nephew from Warwick and I will probably show him this thread. We had a bit of a language barrier issue when the Midwest met the East coast and vice versa when he came to visit us. 
I’d avoid their heavy metal venues.
I live very close to Rhode Island. It is small, very, very small and people from other states pick on it because of that. It is so corrupt that the former mayer of Providence is in federal prison for racketeering. A true Rhode Island accent is a funny thing. The weather mostly sucks just like it does elsewhere in the Northeast.
On the other hand, Providence is a cool city. Newport is beautiful and the state does have a unique feel to it. Boston and New York are close by.
I see that Shagnasty has beaten me to it, but Rhode Island does have a reputation for political corruption, up to and including former Governors going to jail due to corrupt practicies.
In the interest of accuracy, I have to correct this:
About a third of the state’s land is on islands, including the large one where Newport is located, which is named, surprisingly, “Rhode Island.” Other islands in the state are Prudence Island, Conanicut Island, and Block Island. Warwick is on a peninsula that’s nearly cut off from the mainland.
The state’s actual name is “The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,” and the other two-thirds of the land area, on the mainland, is presumably the Providence plantations.
Hey, any state that gave us H. P. Lovecraft and the Farrelly brothers can’t be all bad!
I left only because I had been there for 12 of the 13 previous years and wanted a change (okay, I couldn’t get a date). Sure it’s corrupt; so what? The accent takes some getting used to, e.g., “Yo, Shovel, ya lu’ me a’ whu’?” (translation: “Cheryl, my darling, do you feel for me the great affection I feel for you?”). The beaches are great, the towns are great, Providence has Brown and RISD (= good bookstores, art supply stores, and libraries) and the restaurants are diverse and excellent. On Federal Hill there’s Tony’s Colonial Market, from which I have been forced by my addictions to mail-order crates of prosciutto-wrapped fontina-stuffed hot cherry peppers. There’s a doughnut shop on every corner. The coast is close by no matter where you are. Boston is an hour away; the T is only 37 miles away. You have easy access to I-95. The Providence riverfront reconstruction is lovely and serves as the central point for summer festivals, including the lighting of bonfires by spooky boatsmen dressed in black. Newport and its jazz festival, black ships, etc. is close at hand. And you know what they say: The higher the hair, the closer to God.
I’ve been to Newport. It’s a pretty nice town. Although perhaps not so much so for those with thin wallets. It can be pretty expensive. And if you smoke, as I did at the time, you’re pretty much fucked. I don’t think you can smoke inside - anywhere.
You can’t throw a baseball across it.
Actually, the smoking thing is still unresolved–but I think we’ll probably be going the way of Boston on that issue soon.
What I like about RI is that it’s only 55 minutes long by 45 minutes wide (driving, that is.) You’re never very far away from anything going on–even if you live in the deep, dark recesses of Foster.
Current house prices are still pretty high, unfortunately. Probably because the northern parts of the state are practically a suburb of Boston. The economy is as frustrating as it is everywhere else. But the political corruption is truly a thing of beauty. There’s a recently released book about Buddy Cianci (former mayor of Providence) titled Prince of Providence, and it’s already been optioned for a movie (to be directed by Michael Corrente–a Rhode Islander.)
Let’s see, what else is important to know… Pretty beaches, great restaurants all over, Waterfire (a bunch of hibachis on the river, but nice), Dells lemonade, coffee syrup (for those of you into that sort of thing), the Big Blue Bug, and Roger William’s Root! What more could you ask for?! 
I’m from Connecticut but live very close to RI. It’s a great place especially the closer you are to the water. Where are you thinking of moving to in RI? I know a guy in Point Judith with a nice place for sale. But there is little to no industry down there unless your a lobsterman/woman.
Block island is great. Seafood is really really great!
Right then, it’s decided! Off to RI!
I know someone mentioned the property prices are high. Compared to my neck of the woods I’d literally be getting twice the house for the money (or once the house for a whole lot less).
Is it true that Staples owns most of the state?
I like that it’s a cozy place. I hear they’re thinking having the state carpeted.
Is there Krispy Kreme there? Who wants to go halvsies on a franchise? Seriously, we could buy the entire state in two years, tops.
I appreciate everyones input and welcome all comments.
Yes! We just got a Krispy Kreme! Fortunately for me it’s in Cranston and I live several towns away–way too far (in RI terms) to make it a daily stop.
Great thing about Rhode Island: RIPTA, the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority. Really, really nice bus system, takes you anywhere in the state. For someone from a state with very little public transit, it’s quite impressive.