Leaving NYC for Providence transformed their daily life

Leaving NYC – After five years in New York City, a theatre graduate from Hunter College felt the pace closing in. Trips between New York and Rhode Island turned into a permanent move to Providence, where she says public transit works well without driving, neighbors feel mor

For years, she’d pictured an East Coast future—starting with the ambition that took her from her home in San Diego County to New York City. In her teens, she applied exclusively to New York schools, eventually choosing Hunter College, where she earned a degree in theatre.

At first, the city felt like exactly what she wanted. She loved New York City’s arts and culture scene, and she appreciated how easy it was to get around without a car. But after five years, the constant bustle began to weigh on her.

New York. in her words. has “a lot going on. no matter where you turn”: loud noises. tall buildings. and crowds upon crowds. She started feeling claustrophobic and began thinking about settling in a smaller, more laid-back city. That change didn’t happen all at once. During this period, she made frequent trips from New York City to Rhode Island to do shows.

Then, the moment she remembers most clearly: the first time she stepped off the Megabus in Providence.

She was immediately struck by the peaceful scene, and she noticed art everywhere—“even some of the houses were painted in bright pastels.” She said she was drawn to Providence’s sense of whimsy and could tell the pace felt slower and more intentional than what she was used to in New York City.

Providence, she said, was a different kind of charm. It is the state capital, but the vibe felt unlike anywhere else she’d been. She also found herself unexpectedly liking the pizza better. With neighborhoods like Federal Hill—filled with Italian restaurants. pizza and pasta spots—she said it was hard not to feel at home.

As she shuttled between New York City and Providence, her personal life shifted too. She met her now-husband: a Massachusetts native living in a neighboring town right outside the city. They moved in together rather quickly. and she said she needed somewhere to stay because she had decided she was leaving New York.

Once the move was made, New England lived up to what she expected—especially because she doesn’t drive. She pointed to the region’s robust public transportation system, describing it as an amenity she had grown accustomed to during her time in New York City.

With her son, she takes the RIPTA bus through Providence. She said it is relatively convenient. typically on time. and can take them almost anywhere they want to go across the state. She also said she noticed a more personal rhythm to everyday interactions: people in her new community stop to say “good morning. ” and neighbors seem to look out for one another.

Those connections, she added, have been real and ongoing, including “a plethora of mom friends” she met from story time at the library.

Now, she says, New England truly feels like home.

She said that when she first visited. Providence felt “like a bit of a fairytale — a safe haven from the hustle and bustle of NYC.” Even after almost a decade. she believes she can still see the magic in the city. Although she and her husband briefly considered moving to San Diego to be closer to family. they eventually realized they’re New Englanders “through and through.”.

She describes the culture shift in her own terms: she and her husband have the stereotypical “kind but not nice” personality. a straightforward. logic-based sensibility. and a shared love of iced coffee in 20-degree weather. Despite her upbringing in sunny Southern California, she said she truly feels like an East Coast person at heart.

Still, life in New England doesn’t erase the hard parts. One of the main adjustments is the weather. She said she’s not a snow person and isn’t sure she ever will be.

She also talked about how having distinct seasons affects her mental health. While she said this seasonal rhythm has been good for her, she admitted she missed the San Diego beaches when this year’s record-breaking snowstorm hit.

Even with that, she summed it up plainly: New England is where she wants her son to grow up, and if that means powering through rough winters, she said, “so be it.”

San Diego County New York City Hunter College theatre Providence Rhode Island Megabus Federal Hill RIPTA bus public transportation record-breaking snowstorm winter weather