<p>I really used to like Brown. However, when I visited my friend in Rhode Island this summer we went to Providence and I didn’t really like the city. My parents say that this should not affect my choice, but I figure that if I’m going to be living there for at least four years location should play a roll in my decision. What do you think about the city and about how much it should affect my choice in colleges?</p>
<p>It’s up to you. Whatever you see unfit in the city might be compensated for in the Uni itself… just the general vibe etc.</p>
<p>I’m not a fan of Providence, but I chose Brown in spite of it. If you’ll be happy at the other schools you’ll consider, you can make it as large a factor as you wish. You might decide that, in spite of the location, you may like Brown enough to “deal with it” for 4 years. It’s all up to what you want and how much you like your other choices. I didn’t apply to certain schools because I really don’t like the Boston area, and that was the only reason.</p>
<p>i actually love providence - even though i live in boston now, i drive back often, particularly to eat at my favorite restaurants</p>
<p>the area near campus (east side) has an awesome, historic character that is very unique. thayer and wickenden streets have lots of great places to eat. i also love the quirkiness and miss places like the cable car - an independent movie theater with couches for chairs and unlimited free popcorn refills.</p>
<p>it’s also objectively gorgeous, these pictures might help 
[The</a> Richard Benjamin Collection](<a href=“City of Providence Home - City of Providence”>City of Providence Home - City of Providence)</p>
<p>Providence (very close to Brown campus) resident here. What didn’t you like? While I think it’s completely valid to weigh your feelings about a school’s location in your decision about which school to choose, you should make sure that your feelings are based on accurate data. I know I have fallen in love with places based on initial encounters, only to find they weren’t really so nice after more extensive experience, and I have come to enjoy other places despite pretty poor first impressions. Before you decide you don’t like Providence and therefore are uncertain about Brown, you might want to reflect on what in particular you didn’t care for and then do some more in-depth investigation about how those considerations would/would not affect you if you were to attend school here.</p>
<p>I really like it as well.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/americas-favorite-cities-2009/13[/url]”>http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/americas-favorite-cities-2009/13</a></p>
<p>[America’s</a> Favorite Cities 2009 - Cities - Providence - Travel + Leisure](<a href=“http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2009/city/providence]America’s”>http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2009/city/providence)</p>
<p>also this review, courtesy of the new york times, complete with slide show
[36</a> Hours in Providence, R.I. - NYTimes.com](<a href=“http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/travel/03hours.html]36”>http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/travel/03hours.html)
<a href=“A Weekend in Providence, Rhode Island - The New York Times”>A Weekend in Providence, Rhode Island - The New York Times;
<p>What didn’t you like, or what was lacking? </p>
<p>I had a good time exploring the little neighborhoods when my daughter attended, and going to the RISD museum. While not a great city, there is likely more going on than you realized (although you didn’t say what the issue was.) It is particularly fun when there are one of the many Waterfire festivals going on.</p>
<p>The College Hill area itself is fantastic and I enjoyed checking out the twisty little streets and finding good things to eat in the neighborhoods surrounding the school. And hanging out on Thayer street. As a student you’ll likely be spending almost all of your time on campus. Sometimes a crappier or more boring town makes a tighter community, and Brown has a vibrant community with lots going on on campus.</p>
<p>Also if you do have time to get away, it is easy to get to Boston, or if you like biking, the East Bay bike trail offers a long ride over to Newport through the small waterfront towns (there is a bus too.)</p>
<p>I guess it is personal decision, but I do think the school is more important than the location. That said, getting to a new part of the country can also be a learning experience.</p>
<p>I love Providence, but it is a place that takes time to get to know. There have been MANY threads on Brown’s location in the past so I suggest you do a little digging around here.</p>
<p>I think Providence is a great place and I’d rather be there than many places. Anyway, just want to clarify that the East Bay bike path does not go to Newport, it goes to Bristol. I think people at Brown tend to insulate themselves onto the hill and downtown more than they should but most people don’t have a car so it’s somewhat understandable.</p>
<p>Doesn’t go to Newport? oh well, I took the bus and my daughter took the bike and we met up in Newport somehow. She did mention going many times. She was able to make it in around 3 hours, but says it took 5 for most people she took along. I did do on the bike path myself, but a couple of hours was all I could do, no all the way to Bristol (or Newport.)</p>