Moving to Rhode Island?
Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the U.S., but it has over 400 miles of coastline. The state also has various different kinds of breathtaking landforms and scenic lakes scattered throughout the land. Rhode Island has nearly 300 ponds, lakes and reservoirs and more than 60 percent of the state is covered with woodland. Some of the most famous Rhode Islanders were novelists Cormac McCarthy and Jhumpa Lahiri.
The state also has many glacial and manmade lakes, which are the major tourist attractions. The state has lots of islands which also house a great number of resorts. These resorts have become a landing spot for the rich. Rhode Island was in the forefront of the industrial revolution, and also in the establishment of textile mills. Rhode Island hosted the first National Lawn Tennis games. There are also many other sports and activities to indulge in such as water sports, fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, water-skiing and whitewater rafting.
If you're moving to Rhode Island, there are a lot of things you're going to need to know. Luckily, you've come to the right place.
Things to Know When Moving to Rhode Island
Rhode Island Climate
The climate of Rhode Island is humid and usually mild. The state has summers extremely hot and winters extremely cold. The annual temperature of Rhode Island ranges from an average of 28 F in January to 3 F in July. The highest recorded temperature was 104 F which was on August 2, 1975 and the lowest was -23 F at Kingston on January 11, 1942. The average annual precipitation recorded in the state is 46.5 inches, and the weather of Rhode Island is highly variable with storms and hurricanes being a rare threat.
Registering your Car
Upon your arrival in Rhode Island after moving to the state permanently, you have a total of 30 days to update your registration and have your vehicle registered in the state before you may be required to pay a penalty. You are required to have proof of insurance to complete your vehicle registration. The initial registration fee can vary on a couple of factors such as sales tax and pay based on the vehicle’s purchase price.
Obtaining a Rhode Island Driver's License
A Rhode Island Driver’s License can be obtained at any Rhode Island DMV location. The state requires new Rhode Island residents to update their license from their previous state to a Rhode Island driver’s license. You must display proof of identity as well as verify that your vehicle is insured in the state of Rhode Island.
Crime Rankings
As of 2011, Rhode Island was ranked 11th out of 50 states in violent crime, with a total of less than 15 violent crimes for every 100,000 people in the state.
Industries
The state of Rhode Island is much smaller than most other states in the U.S. Due to its smaller size, the state does not support agriculture. The economy of Rhode Island does not have a prominent agricultural sector. The state’s leading manufactured product is electrical equipment such as surge protectors, lighting fixtures, and light bulbs. The leading service industry in Rhode Island is the finance sector, while insurance and real estate is also prominent. Community, business, and personal services rank second in the service industry of Rhode Island.
Employment Statistics
As of early 2012, the state of Rhode Island had an unemployment rate of 11.1 percent, which is the second highest in the nation behind Nevada and much higher than the national average of 8.2 percent.
Average Income
The median household income in the state of Rhode Island is $54,902, while the average per capita income for the state is $28,707.
Moving and Storage
If you are looking for a moving company or storage facility to help you with anything, you should check to make sure the company is registered with the United States Department of Transportation or with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Real Estate
The average listing price for homes in Rhode Island is $422,797, while the median sales price is just over $265,000. The Rhode Island Association of Realtors is the official real estate resource for the state of Rhode Island.
Major landmarks and attractions
Providence Athenaeum;Providence Performing Arts Center;Historic Federal Hill;Benefit Street State House;Providence Ghost Tour;DePasquale Plaza;Thayer Street;
State Capital: Providence
Largest Cities: Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, Providence, Kingston, Narragansett
Schools
The mission of the Rhode Island Department of Education is to provide all of its students with an affordable system of education. The Department of Education is developing a lot of excellent, efficient and accessible ways for its students to attain an education, and is fostering the overall development of Rhode Islanders. The school system hopes that by doing this, the students of Rhode Island can enrich their intellectual, social, and cultural life. Some of the universities and institutes of higher learning in Rhode Island include the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College, Brown University, the prestigious Ivy League school, and the University of Rhode Island.
National Parks
Roger Williams National Historic Site
Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
State park System
The state parks in Rhode Island are some of the nation’s most beautiful parks. Some of the state parks in Rhode Island include Beavertail State Park,Colt State Park, Goddard Memorial State Park and Misquamicut State Beach, which provide many opportunities to appreciate the natural wonders of Rhode Island by hiking, fishing, biking and hunting.
Major Airports
Providence T.F. Green International Airport