Your Local Guide to Providence Student Housing: Best Neighborhoods for College Renters

Hi, I’m April, your local guide for living in Providence, RI. I attended college in Providence and lived in this great city for many years. I have rented apartments and houses in various neighborhoods, and I can attest that Providence is extremely welcoming to students. This New England enclave is home to many renowned colleges and universities. Let’s explore some of the best areas for student rentals near the top institutions of higher education.

Providence isn’t just the capital of Rhode Island; it is home to a thriving college community where finding the right neighborhood can enhance your entire college experience. The city is unique in that it embraces apartment living rather than relying solely on campus housing. This presents an opportunity for students to deepen their learning by giving them greater independence and responsibility. Your social life will expand while you mature. I learned so much living in houses and apartments while attending college in Providence.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Providence

While Providence is a vibrant city, it has a small-town New England spirit. In addition to the college scene, you will find classic seafood and Italian restaurants, museums, boutique shopping, art festivals, and parks. There is a diverse mix of academics, professionals, blue-collar tradespeople, and artists. The city is also a cultural melting pot with distinct neighborhoods settled by European immigrants. Much of Providence is steeped in architectural history that adds to its New England Charm.

In this guide, I’ll share the top 9 neighborhoods near popular colleges where I think you will find the best values and a positive life experience while attending school.

Brown University

Brown University is an Ivy League college that has been a Providence institution since 1764. The school is primarily a research university with programs in applied mathematics, engineering, archaeology, medicine, and business.

The main campus sits on the east side of the College Hill neighborhood, while the Warren Alpert Medical School campus is located across the Providence River in the historic Jewelry District. The university offers dormitory accommodations, mostly for undergraduate students. There is ample student housing available off campus for those who prefer a more integrated community lifestyle beyond campus life.

College Hill

To the east of the Providence River and the city center, sits the College Hill area. This historic neighborhood offers plenty of cultural activities. Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design campuses share the hill. What I love about the area is its walkability with narrow, tree-lined streets. The main drag is Thayer Street with boutique shopping, cafés, and small city parks overlooking the entire hill down to the river.

You will find Victorian Era grand homes, brick estates, and two to three-family wooden homes that all date as far back as the 1700s. There are also some brick apartment buildings in this neighborhood with rentals for students. The community is a mix of academics, artists, and families.

Hope East Side

The area of Providence referred to as Hope East Side is home to the Brown University Stadium and Miriam Hospital. This neighborhood sits just north of College Hill. Hope Street runs along this section of the city, offering easy access to College Hill to the south and north to the sprawling Hope Street Saturday Farmers Market in Lippitt Park.

Hope is primarily residential with plenty of housing options for students, families, and medical professionals. It has a quieter vibe than the more densely populated College Hill neighborhood. I think the Hope Street community is an excellent choice for graduate students and those who have young families.

Jewelry District

The Jewelry District of Providence has a lot to offer for students. When I attended the Rhode Island School of Design, we rarely ventured to this area. It was quite industrial and didn’t really offer much in the way of housing and shopping. The area was originally a center for jewelry manufacturing from the 1800s through the early 2000s.

Interstate 95 isolated the district from the rest of Providence to the north. The highway was rerouted in 2013, opening up the neighborhood for revitalization. By that time, the jewelry industry was phasing out, leaving loft-style manufacturing buildings vacant. Today, the Jewelry District is conveniently located just south of Downtown Providence. It is bordered by I-95 to the west and the revived Providence River to the east. Many of the vacant buildings were renovated into apartments with studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.

If you enjoy loft-style living and a vibrant art scene, this Providence neighborhood is for you. When not in classes, you can enjoy the open green spaces and waterfront walking paths. This is an especially convenient location for those attending Brown’s Alpert Medical School.

Rhode Island School of Design

The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a prestigious private art and design college founded in 1877. Programs offered include illustration, painting, graphic design, architecture, and so much more. In addition to intensive studio classwork, RISD has a rigorous liberal arts program to round out each student’s education.

I had the privilege of attending RISD as an undergraduate. For most of my time there, I lived off-campus in affordable rental housing. I was able to experience living in 2 houses with roommates on Angel and Thayer Streets, a two-bedroom apartment in a historic two-family home, and a one-bedroom apartment in a brick building on Benefit Street.

It’s important to note that RISD and Brown University have adjacent campuses and each offers a joint degree program where you can take classes at both schools. Because the main campuses of both occupy much of College Hill, student apartment rental neighborhoods overlap. Refer to the housing options described under each school for a broader range of options.

Benefit Street Neighborhood

Benefit Street runs north to south along the bottom western edge of College Hill. It is steeped in history and often referred to as “The Mile of History” because it has some of the oldest buildings in Providence. The tree-lined street runs through the RISD campus and is flanked by academic buildings and cultural venues, such as the Providence Athenaeum and the John Brown House.

There are several older homes and buildings with apartments that are mostly rented to students and faculty. Benefit Street is a short walk to the Providence River and its waterfront attractions. It also offers easy access to downtown Providence, where the rest of RISD’s campus is, and where you will find a happening nightlife scene.

Without a doubt, Benefit Street is one of my favorite neighborhoods. It is so convenient, and it seems to be the hub for college activity when school is in session. If you like history and culture, choose the Benefit Street Neighborhood.

Fox Point

Fox Point is just to the south of College Hill. It is a trendy waterfront area where the Providence River, Seekonk River, and Narragansett Bay meet. You’ll find a diverse mix of college students and urban professionals. The architecture is a mixed collection of charming historic homes, two-family wood structures, and newly constructed apartment buildings.

This neighborhood is known for its walkability, vintage boutiques, coffee shops, and casual dining along the scenic Providence Riverwalk. India Point Park offers 18 acres of open green space with grassy lawns, bike paths, and a fishing pier. In summer, you will enjoy many outdoor concerts, fireworks displays, and the ever-popular Rhode Island Seafood Festival.

Johnson and Wales University

Johnson and Wales University is located in downtown Providence with a subsidiary campus in the nearby Harborside area of Cranston. The school is well known for its outstanding culinary arts program. In addition to food service education, JWU also takes pride in its business and hospitality colleges.

The Downcity Campus is in a lively area of Providence and does have residence halls. But some students prefer to live off campus in rental housing. The Jewelry District borders the campus to the south with many student apartment options serving both Johnson and Wales and Brown University.

Downtown Providence

Downtown Providence is a densely developed area, yet not overwhelming in scale. One of the best assets of the downtown area is the Providence River waterfront with walking paths and small urban parks to enjoy. Downtown Providence is pedestrian-friendly, making it very convenient for shopping, dining, and going to the theater. Students will love the annual WaterFire festival that happens right near the JWU campus.

Daytime is busy in this neighborhood with a solid mix of commercial and educational facilities. There is a great restaurant scene at night. Rents are a little higher here than in other areas of the city, due to major revitalization efforts. Many find that the convenience is worth the trade-off.

Federal Hill

Federal Hill is a lively area just west of downtown. This treasured neighborhood is home to the largest Italian American community in the city. It is renowned for great ethnic restaurants and markets. There are also several cultural venues. Indulging in the comforting Italian-American food scene on a weekend night out is a must in Federal Hill.

While the neighborhood is predominantly residential with dining and shopping spots, it is an easy walk to the Johnson and Wales Downcity Campus. This area is busy with festivals, such as the notable Columbus Day Celebration. There is a strong sense of community here that makes Federal Hill an excellent choice for students who prefer not to live in a dormitory.

Providence College

Providence College is a Catholic institution of higher education located to the north of downtown Providence. The school was founded in 1917 by the Dominican Order. The campus is located at the highest elevation of Providence in a primarily residential neighborhood.

The college focuses on a liberal arts education, yet it does offer degrees in business and health sciences. PC also offers a Master of Theological Studies degree. There is adequate on-campus housing for undergraduates. However, you will find plenty of student housing options in the Elmhurst and Smith Hill neighborhoods.

Elmhurst

Elmhurst is a primarily residential neighborhood in the northwest section of Providence. Once a farming community, Elmhurst attracted a large population of Irish and Italian immigrants, displacing wealthy landowners and encouraging more development. This area has a somewhat more suburban feel than the rest of the city.

The neighborhood has a youthful vitality due to the presence of Providence College. You’ll find local pubs, cafes, and boutiques to enjoy. The hot spot in town is the LaSalle Bakery, featuring an excellent pastry selection. There is a good offering of apartments for students here.

Smith Hill

Smith Hill offers a vibrant urban lifestyle. It is home to several notable Providence attractions, including the Oakland Avenue Historic District and the Providence Place Mall. You will find a mix of housing types, including apartments and townhouses. The architectural styles range from classic Colonial Revival to contemporary designs.

This neighborhood is quite diverse with immigrants of Western and Eastern European descent, as well as a growing Hispanic population. Smith Hill is known for its St. Patrick’s Parade and the Bolivian Festival. The grand Rhode Island Statehouse sits prominently at the top of Smith Hill.

Finding the Ideal College Neighborhood in Providence

Finding the right neighborhood for your college experience comes down to understanding your academic and lifestyle priorities. Each community offers distinct benefits and characteristics that align with your goals. Things to take into consideration are budget, proximity to campus, and overall safety.

When choosing to live off campus, this isn’t just a place to crash between classes. You are deciding to immerse yourself in a community that expands your college experience outside of classwork. I highly recommend visiting each neighborhood and speaking with students who live in them. Take inspiration from their experiences and stories.

College is a time for learning, discovering, growing, and building a solid foundation for your future. In Providence, you'll find communities that support your goals and create an unforgettable educational journey. As a seasoned renter in Providence who has experienced many of these neighborhoods, I can tell you that there are many unique opportunities for planting roots in this city while pursuing an awesome education.