BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello,

I hope that it is okay for me to post this here as it is not exactly a travel question. I have recently gotten opportunities that are causing for me to choose between living in these two cities. Obviously they are incredibly different!!! I am having a really tough time, and was hoping for some input from people who have been to these cities. What would you choose if you were in my position and why?

For a bit of background, I am 22 female going into teaching, the job would be working in inner city schools. I have lived my whole life on the west coast, and am not well travelled (at this point!). I am looking to have new experiences, and see new parts of the world (including my own country!)

If those are the two choices, I would vote for Providence. An hour south of Boston. Maybe three to New York. Newport maybe a half an hour away. Good local arts scene a Red Sox minor league team up the street in Pawtucket, a climate not too much different than you are used to. Maybe a little more sunshine.
the more I think of it, you have to go to Providence. Go to Miami for a vacation while you are there, but definitely check out Province.

I haven't been to Miami yet, but I did live in Providence for about a year and a half. It's a nice, small city. The downtown has been fixed up nicely and it is a pretty good walking city. You'll have a nice variety of neighborhoods to choose from or you could even live outside of Providence and commute (the state is small enough that pretty much any city in Rhode Island counts as a suburb of Providence.)

I don't have kids so I didn't pay much attention to the schools, but I didn't have the impression that they were too bad. I would guess there are fewer problems than in Miami, but I don't have any evidence of that.

As Bill said, Providence is also a great location for exploring New England. Heck, you could even drive to DC in about 8 hours if you want.

I third the vote for Providence for living purposes. I live halfway between Providence and Boston and I love it. Personal bias aside, my big reason for choosing Prov over Miami would be cost of living. Going out and doing anything in Miami was scary expensive when I was there. Providence, on the other hand? Insanely cheap. A lot of people who work in MA live in RI to save money. I assume there will some sort of difference in your pay scale as well, but, based on my limited experience, I still think you'll end up with more disposable income in Providence.

I love Miami, but I like Miami as a vacation spot and not necessarily a place to live. I would vote for Providence

I would definitely go to Miami. The winters in the northeast are too long and depressing. In fact, my wife and I are planning on leaving this area for somewhere warmer pretty soon. Another factor is that people in the northeast are not the friendliest bunch. I've been here a year and the few friends I have are other midwesterners (I'm from Ohio) or Romanians (my wife is from Romania). All the other midwesterners I've met have had the same experience with the local population.

i would guess the inner city schools in miami are rough...just from what I read and hear...not from first hand experience. I have been to both cities and this will come down to personal preference in terms of weather, surroundings, things to do, nightlife, daylife.

Providence as Boston bill stated is close to Boston and other interesting places in the northeast, Miami is stuck in south florida, not near anything besides the warm florida keys, the carribean and about a million cruises...

Weather - You appear to be from BC so winter is probably not a problem for you, but winters in New England are flat out depressing...I lived them for four long years...Miami well, what can you say at least 70's all year round...you will get some rain

Nightlife - Miami has it down on their strip...

Daylife - the beach vs. Minor league baseball, driving to other states for some action...museums maybe, and Brown a fine US institution.

Miami will also be much more diverse than Providence, larger, and will have more going on in my opinion. But you drive an hour from Providence you have some places to go, you drive an hour from Miami you have maybe Fort Lauderdale depending on how you drive a lot of Ritzy neighborhoods of Florida...you drive south you have water, and the keys

Another vote for Providnce- Yes, there is winter but that is part of the appeal-actually four seasons- You can fly cheaply from Boston or NYC to Miami for vacations. Although I am sure there are gangs in Providence, the problems are miniscule compared to Miami.

Thank you to everyone who replied.

I have chosen Providence. I am very excited to live there (with the seasons!) and having the opportunity to explore the E Coast.

Two great cities I am very familiar with. I too would prefer Providence. Miami is beautiful, great weather(besides hurricanes), great food, and great nightlife. Providence has all of the above(even hurricanes- check out the hurricane wall that runs thru the city)- and much more real people. Genuine, lots of chefs and artists, lots of interesting people- I vote for Providence

Let me know if you would like anymore info for Providence. Federal Hill has some great Italian food and there are tons of great restaurants everywhere. I know lots of places to eat and drink. You will love Providence- it is a happening city! Buddy Cianci did some things right