Livability.com ranks Warwick #2 of top 25 places to live in northeast - by Frank Picozzi

Great municipal services, good schools, 39 miles of beautiful shoreline, historic sites, and terrific restaurants are just some of the things that make the city of Warwick a wonderful place in which to live and work. Our diverse commercial base is comprised of small businesses as well as regional and national companies and includes, but is not limited to, the manufacturing, health care, tourism, hospitality, retail, and maritime industries.

Additionally, our convenient access to I-95 and I-295, Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport and the intermodal MBTA commuter rail make it a breeze to travel into and out of the city. Add to that beautiful parks, top-notch recreational facilities, dedicated non-profit organizations that meet varying community needs, a vibrant arts community and unique seasonal events, and it’s clear to see why Livability.com has ranked Warwick second on its recently-issued list of the top 25 best places to live in the northeast.

Livability.com notes that it’s one of the leading online resources for those researching municipalities throughout the country. For roughly three decades, they’ve been focused on examining cities, with special attention to small- to mid-size, and helping them to showcase why they’re a good choice for residents and businesses to call home.

In their assessment, Livability.com highlights Warwick’s “nearly 40 miles of glorious coastline with everything coastal dreams are made of, from clam chowder stops to picturesque lighthouses and sandy beaches to stroll.” It notes that the burning of the Gaspee, one of the first acts of rebellion that led to the Revolutionary War, happened off Warwick’s shores. It also recognizes the school system, safe neighborhoods and convenient access to other large cities as contributing to the quality of life here.

Livability.com also makes mention that residents are actively engaged in any number of civic organizations, and that fact plays a tremendous role in making Warwick such a special place. Although it has a population of roughly 83,000, the fact that it’s comprised of over 30 villages – each with a unique role in Warwick’s rich history – gives it a much cozier, small-town feel. Here, residents and the business community come together for charitable causes, to support those in crisis, to celebrate milestones and special achievements, to cheer on youth sporting events, and just to enjoy each other’s company at neighborhood gatherings, community-wide events, and special seasonal activities.

If you’d like to learn more about Warwick, log onto warwickri.gov or visitwarwickri.com, email econ.dir@warwickri.com, or call (401) 738-2014 to speak with someone in the Economic Development Department. Or plan a trip here and see for yourself why Warwick continually makes “best of” lists.

Frank Picozzi is the mayor of the city of Warwick, R.I.