2019 Best Places to Live in Washington CountyAbout this List

Kingston

• Suburb of Providence, RI
• 10 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Kingston proves to be a great place to live for me. I am a student at URI and the commute is not too far from campus. There is also always stuff to do with friends on the weekends. I love it!
Read 10 Reviews

• A+

• A

• 6,983 Population

South Kingstown

• Town in Rhode Island
• 57 reviews

Current Resident: Once part of a domestic violence safe home organization in another state, having transitioned all the way from the Deep South to Rhode Island, I ironically felt most safe and truly at home once welcomed here, so far removed from what was familiar to me. It was here that i finally felt I was thriving in victory, not merely surviving in victimhood. Now a single mother with 3 young children, I felt a surprising relief and hope, knowing the phenomenally warm, compassionate community here were humanizing us and treating us like family. From the first moment of introduction, they engaged us wholly and presently, and validated us as individuals. I could never do or say enough to express my gratitude and fondness for the community and domestic violence resources here in South Kingstown. Instead of merely sheltering individuals and families temporarily to procure funding, they are truly committed to changing, gratifying, and empowering lives.
Read 57 Reviews

• A

• A

• 30,712 Population

North Kingstown

• Suburb of Providence, RI
• 45 reviews

Current Resident: It's a nice calm place with a good variation of people in it. NK is in a very good spot in our little state of Rhode Island, it's not to far from the city, and it's very close to the water. It is a beautiful place to be with lots of relaxing parks, big commercial job opportunities, and pretty beaches. Our town is also a great place to live, with many children around to grow up with and become acquainted with. I mostly love North Kingstown because of the vast variety of things there are to do around and within the town. We also have a great high school that offers us many custom-tailored paths to take throughout our four years there.
Read 45 Reviews

• A

• A

• 26,178 Population

Narragansett

• Suburb of Providence, RI
• 25 reviews

Current Resident: Yes, great beach community, it is NOT the municipal “home “ of URI, however it is the off campus epicenter of student rental housing in South County. The muni home of URI is South Kingstown. The hamlet of Kingston is the campus location. The academic year student housing brings many economic benefits however for some pockets in various sections, the student housing brings an element undesirable behaviors that negatively impact full time residents.
Read 25 Reviews

• A-

• A

• 15,601 Population

Narragansett Pier

• Suburb of Providence, RI
• 7 reviews

Niche User: Small tourist town. During the winter, many businesses are closed because the population decreases so much from the summer tourist population! I love living here, the town is beautiful. I love living next to the beach. The school system is awesome in Narragansett as well.
Read 7 Reviews

• B+

• A

• 3,977 Population

Exeter

• Town in Rhode Island
• 9 reviews

Nearby Resident: Extremely good town, good school district, great community. People are involved with each other. On the wealthier side.
Read 9 Reviews

• B+

• B+

• 6,761 Population

Charlestown

• Town in Rhode Island
• 22 reviews

Current Resident: Beautiful place with decent people. Cheapest taxes and great area all around. Elementary school is amazing!
Read 22 Reviews

• B

• A-

• 7,762 Population

Hopkinton

• Town in Rhode Island
• 18 reviews

Nearby Resident: Nice and calm. Not too much to do in this town, but outdoor recreation here is very good. I like to go biking and kayaking here.
Read 18 Reviews

• B

• A-

• 8,112 Population

Westerly

• Town in Rhode Island
• 50 reviews

Current Resident: I really enjoy the main street in downtown Westerly. The Westerly Library is an amazing source of easy to use knowledge and Internet. It is surrounded by Wilcox Park, which is great for babies and dog walkers alike. The townspeople are generally friendly and the local store owners are kind. There is also a great selection of restaurants in the area, everything from authentic Japanese to excellent American burgers and fries. There really is something for everyone in Westerly. Raising a family here is nice because the schools seem to work hard and in the interest of the student, and do their best to make sure that safety is a priority.
Read 50 Reviews

• B

• B-

• 22,626 Population

Ashaway

• Town in Rhode Island
• 4 reviews

Current Resident: I love my home town. It was amazing, the whole town was loving and caring for each other. There were a lot of small little restaurants and houses that would be an amazing sight. Everyone in the town was hard working, almost everyone knew each other and helped each other out.
Read 4 Reviews

• B-

• A-

• 1,118 Population

New Shoreham

• Town in Rhode Island

• B+

• A-

• 830 Population

Richmond

• Town in Rhode Island
• 11 reviews

Current Resident: It is a small town, with necessities close by. Shopping, medical centers and parks are all close by. Our school system is one of the best in the state, which I can say confidently as I am a graduate of the high school and feel that I have been more prepared than many of my college classmates. I have been raised here also, and recently bought my first home here. The crime rates are low, and there is a perfect college community.
Read 11 Reviews

• B+

• A-

• 7,608 Population

Carolina

• Town in Rhode Island

• B

• A-

• 680 Population

Weekapaug

• Town in Rhode Island

• B

• B-

• 459 Population

Watch Hill

• Town in Rhode Island

• B-

• B-

• 169 Population

Misquamicut

• Town in Rhode Island
• 1 review

Visitor: Misaquamicut is a very cute beach town. It's very touristy, but it's also got a few very nice locals. The beaches there are gorgeous and the weather is very nice. It's very close to places where you can go hiking and the greenery of the east coast is everywhere!
Read 1 Review

• B-

• B-

• 385 Population

Hope Valley

• Town in Rhode Island
• 4 reviews

Current Resident: It's country! It quaint! Lots of farms with fresh food. Safe feeling living here... coming from the city it's definitely an adjustment but I must admit hope valley has its good qualities!
Read 4 Reviews

• C+

• A-

• 1,777 Population

Quonochontaug

• Town in Rhode Island
• 1 review

Niche User: Born and raised in Charlestown, RI I love it for everything it has to offer, even it's flaws. No matter where I live in my life that little beach town will always be my home. The people are happy and cheerful and always willing to help each other, even in wintertime this beach town is all happy and having fun. In the summer the population must triple at least and in come the Quonnies and Charlestown beachers for the summer. Most times summer people are awful but these beach house townies are some of the nicest you could possibly meet. (Though steer clear of some of the campers!) All in all Charlestown has some downs, like the fact that it's a trip to get to any stores or restaurants. City people wouldn't be fond of our wooded paradise. Charlestown is a wonderful place that will always be my home away from home.
Read 1 Review

• C+

• A-

• 606 Population

Bradford

• Town in Rhode Island
• 2 reviews

Niche User: I have yet to have to deal with a crime of any sorts.
Read 2 Reviews

• C

• B-

• 1,477 Population

Wyoming

• Town in Rhode Island

• D+

• A-

• 230 Population