Barrington

Attached to the southwestern coast of Massachusetts and jutting out into Narragansett Bay, the outline of Barrington reminds some of Italy. With a little imagination, Adams Point resembles the heel of a boot, Rumstick Point is the toe, and the areas north become the upper portion. And while Barrington might not be able to compete with the likes of the Roman Empire or the Renaissance, the town has a rich history of its own, not to mention plenty of amenities to keep residents entertained. “People in Barrington love to get outdoors,” says Realtor Elizabeth Kirk, who has represented real estate transactions in the area for more than a decade. Opportunities for outdoor recreation abound here, as do local shopping and dining establishments. This peaceful Rhode Island town has evolved from a 19th-century brick manufacturing center into a modern-day suburb that offers easy highway access for commuters and plenty of creature comforts nearby. Plus, it’s all a lot closer than Italy. Rhode Island might be called the Ocean State, but Barrington is a town defined by rivers. The western edge is bordered by the Providence River, the eastern edge is bordered by the Palmer River and the town itself is divided in half by the Runnins River. At Rumstick Point at the southernmost part of Barrington, the rivers converge and empty into Narragansett Bay. All of that water means plenty of fun on it. Activities include lounging on the sand or swimming in the waters off Barrington Beach, fishing in a pond or setting out on the deep blue sea from a nearby marina. Several parks provide land-based recreation. Haines Memorial State Park is one of the most popular in the area, with a pond for fishing or kayaking, a dedicated dog park and hiking trails. At Veterans Memorial Park, anglers can fish from the bank or from a kayak. This park is also home to the Barrington Skatepark. Nature lovers can hike the Osamequin Nature Trails and witness superb views of Hundred Acre Cove, including the chance to catch sight of a rare diamondback terrapin, a species of turtle whose only known nesting spot in the state is in this cove. The East Bay Bike Path extends from Providence to Bristol, covering a distance of over 14 miles, about 4 of which run through Barrington. This cycling amenity is part of the larger East Coast Greenway, a system of trails that extends from Key West to Maine's Canadian border. Rhode Island Country Club, located in the southwest corner of Barrington, has hosted multiple USGA Championships. While spectator golf events here are open to the public, membership in the club is by invitation only. The Barrington school district earns an overall rating of A-plus from Niche, which rates Barrington as the best public school district in the state of Rhode Island. Primrose Hill Elementary and Barrington Middle both earn an A, and Barrington High School earns an A-plus. Students at Barrington High School can participate in more than 70 school-sponsored clubs and more than 30 varsity-level sports. Private school options in the area include The Wheeler School in Providence, rated the best private school in the state by Niche, which gives it an A-plus.

Most people have to leave the area to visit a historic landmark, but not the residents of Nayatt. The Nayatt Point Lighthouse, a weathered tower overlooking the coast, sits at the edge of this residential neighborhood. The structure has been a fixture of the city since 1828, originally used to illuminate a narrow passage between Nayatt Point and Conimicut Point. Since then, the lighthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places for preservation. It now exists as part of a residential property. While the rest of the homes don't come with a personal landmark, the neighborhood still has much to offer. According to Allison Dessel, a realtor and Barrington native, life in Nayatt is centered around the water: "All of our public beaches are amazing, but for residents here specifically, they're going to be spending a lot of time at Barrington Town Beach." Dressel adds, "It's accessible, and we have food trucks here, people paddleboarding and doing beach yoga. It feels like you're on vacation." The Rhode Island Country Club is also right next door, featuring an 18-hole golf course. For their shopping dining and retail needs, residents drive to downtown Barrington. Dessel explains, "Barrington has so many different shops and businesses, like bakeries, an old creamery, bookstores, and dentists; everything you need is nearby." The Realtor also says the neighborhood is a short drive from Providence, making it a desirable location for commuters. Homes in Nayatt are in high demand — compared to the national average of selling after 42 days on the market, houses here go after 25 days.  The most common architectural styles are Cape Cods, Craftsman and colonials with yards and maple trees. The properties also have plenty of parking space: most come with a garage and driveway. While there aren't any sidewalks, residents still walk or bike around the neighborhood. Properties close to the waterfront tend to be larger in size, with some sitting right up against the beach. Prices start at $600,000 for a 3-bedroom and go up to 2 million for houses by the water.  Students attend Barrington Public Schools. They can begin their education at Nayatt School, which receives an A-plus rating from Niche. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Education named the elementary a Blue Ribbon School. Students can continue at Barrington Middle School, which earns an A-minus rating. The school was recently renovated in 2019, providing students with a brand-new facility. Students can complete their education at Barrington High School, rated A-plus overall. Despite having over 1000 students enrolled, Barrington High maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. When residents need a break from the beach, they can head to Veterans Memorial Park, the largest green space nearby. The park spans over 230 acres and is densely forested, with miles of trails to walk on. Locals frequently encounter wildlife: during the spring, ospreys and bald eagles are often spotted scouring for herrings in Brickyard Pond. Residents are also permitted to fish in season. When summer rolls around, the park is filled with the scent of summersweet shrubs and children running around attempting to catch dragonflies. One local describes the park as "the best-kept secret" in town due to how scenic and secluded the area is.  Residents of Nayatt are close to various shopping and dining options. To the east of the community is the Barrington Shopping Center, located just outside neighborhood boundaries. The plaza has a Shaw's Supermarket, where locals pick up groceries and other essentials. Restaurants like Pitapocket are also in the area, serving Mediterranean cuisine and Turkish tea. After eating, locals can head next door to Barrington Books, a small bookstore selling everything from board games to graphic novels. More bakeries, creameries, and restaurants are scattered outside the plaza between Hilltop and Wascea Avenue.  Locals here tend to gather at the Rhode Island Country Club, a feature of the neighborhood since 1885. The club's highlight is its 18-hole golf course, designed by Donald Ross. The country club has hosted four USGA Championships and multiple state and local events, making it a hot spot for golfers in the area. Other than testing their swing at the course, residents also come here to play tennis, squash and swim in the pool. The club also serves as a venue for events such as weddings, fundraisers and school dances.  Nayatt is by Highway 114, which connects to Interstate 195. Residents take I-95 to get into Providence and Boston, two major cities nearby. The Rhode Island TF Green International Airport is about a 20-mile drive away, a perk for frequent flyers.

When Allison Dessel first graduated high school at 18, all she could think about was leaving for the big city. "I just wanted to get out and explore. I was ready to move somewhere else forever," she says. Now, at 51, she's found herself back at her hometown — Rumstick, a neighborhood in Barrington. "I definitely took living here for granted. As time went on, I realized how wonderful this community is, and even though I tried to leave at first, this place makes it hard not to come back." Dessel says there's something idyllic about Rumstick that makes people want to stay: "It feels very picture book. When you look around, you see kids on their bikes and families having picnics at the beach. Everyone is genuinely happy to be here." There are two major locations where locals spend most of their time at: Barrington Beach and downtown Barrington. Barrington Beach is the neighborhood's centerpiece. Residents paddleboard in the water, admire the sunset or pick up tacos from a food truck when visiting. "The beach is used for everything from the concert summer series to prom pictures," Dessel says. Residents head downtown for their shopping, dining and retail needs. The city is full of local businesses and restaurants, like the Newport Brewery, a community staple since 1948. Rumstick is also a 12-mile drive from Providence, the state's capital.  Many homes were constructed during the late 19th century, resulting in houses featuring classic New England architecture. Large, two-story colonial and Georgian homes are the most common styles spotted. Properties in Rumstick Neck tend to have long driveways and large yards, adding an extra layer of privacy. While there aren't any sidewalks, residents frequently walk or bike around the neighborhood. "It's a very friendly community," Dessel says. "People stop to say hi to you or ask to pet your dog." Prices run on the steeper end, starting at $850,000 and going up to $4.5 million. The average home sells for about $1.5 million.  The strong school district is one of the many reasons a family might choose to move here. "We've got blue-ribbon schools," Dessel explains. Students can begin their education at Nayatt School, which receives an A-plus rating from Niche. They can continue at Barrington Middle School, which earns an A-minus rating. The school was recently renovated in 2019, providing students with a brand-new facility. The last stop in a student's educational journey is Barrington High School, rated A-plus overall. Despite having over 1000 students enrolled, Barrington High maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. Most residents spend their time at Barrington Beach, but those looking for a change of scenery can head to Veterans Memorial Park, the largest green space nearby. The park spans over 230 acres and offers trails and different habitats to explore. The Barrington Land Conservation Trust also provides guided tours for five different paths. In spring, ospreys and bald eagles are often spotted scouring Brickyard Pond for herrings. Residents are also permitted to fish in season. One local describes the park as "the best-kept secret" in town due to how scenic and secluded the area is. When Dessel grew up in the area, there weren't many options for anything. "You would have to go into Providence to see the dentist or something," she explains. "And there was really only one place to eat it." However, several businesses have popped up over the years, imbuing Barrington with a new sense of life. "I'm a big foodie — I could give you a recommendation for every meal and every occasion, she says. For seafood overlooking the water, locals head to Bluewater Bar + Grill. Sushi is available at Miku, and the Newport Creamery serves classic burgers and shakes. "I also got to shout out Del's Lemonade," Dessel adds. "It's frozen lemonade, trying it will change your life." For day-to-day groceries, residents go to Shaw's Supermarket. While Rumstick doesn't have an official HOA, residents find community among themselves and in the greater Barrington area. "The currency of Barrington is community," Dessel says. Whenever I go out, I see some sort of event being held. There's a bunch of town clubs, like the gardening club and the astrology club. You see people out with their telescopes looking at the sky." Other clubs include the Preservation Society and the Business & Community Association.  The neighborhood is right by Highway 114, which residents can take into Providence, about a 12-mile drive away. Highway 114 also connects to Interstate 95, which residents use to travel to other major cities, such as Boston. Another place I-95 leads to is the Rhode Island TF Airport, an 18-mile drive away.

Surrounded by scenic vistas along the Barrington and Palmer rivers and boasting excellent public schools, Hampden Meadows is a sought-after Barrington suburb. “The school system is one of the best in Rhode Island,” says Ted Friedman, a resident of Barrington and associate broker at the Friedman Group with 22 years of experience in Hampden Meadows. “People move for the schools and the waterfront community, and they’re close to the beach and town center in Barrington.” About 11 miles from downtown Providence, Hampden Meadows is connected to urban amenities without losing the peaceful, wooded ambiance stretching from the riverfront to the Massachusetts border. Residents live in a mix of single-family homes on quiet, tree-shaded streets, many of which showcase coastal and colonial architectural features like wood shingle siding and symmetrical rows of crisply painted shutters. “We’re not a cookie cutter community, so there’s some historic homes built pre-1900, but a majority were built in the 1940s and later,” Friedman says. Classic single-family formats like Cape Cods, bi-levels and two-story Colonial Revivals with attached garages on quarter-acre lots sell for $350,000 to $800,000. Larger custom builds, homes with private backyard waterfront access and those on larger lots sell for $660,000 to $1.4 million. Students attend kindergarten through third grade at Sowams Elementary School which earns an A from Niche, fourth through fifth grade at Hampden Meadows School which earns an A, sixth through eighth grade at Barrington Middle School which earns an A, and ninth through 12th grade at Barrington High School which earns an A-plus. The Barrington Public School District is No. 1 in Rhode Island according to Niche, producing high test scores and student achievement in extracurriculars from state championship winning cross country teams to national middle school mural competitions. For shopping and dining beyond Prince Ali’s Kebab, a small Middle Eastern eatery, and Bluewater Bar + Grill, known for a seasonal seafood dinner menu and views of the neighboring boat yard, residents travel outside of Hampden Meadows. Across the river, locals frequent the cafes, boutique shops and sit-down eateries in downtown Barrington’s shopping plazas, as well as the Shaw’s and CVS for essentials and groceries. More extensive retail and big box destinations like Target and The Home Depot line Route 6 about 5 miles away in Massachusetts. A synagogue is the sole house of worship within Hampden Meadows, but several churches provide further services across the river in Barrington. Several trails and waterways provide options for recreation throughout Hampden Meadows. “We’re a very fitness-oriented town,” Friedman says. “The bike path runs 14.5 miles from Bristol to Providence, and we’re right smack-dab in the middle of it.” The East Bay Bike Path spans the Barrington and Palmer rivers a stone's throw away from the Barrington Yacht Club and Striper Marina, where motorboats and sailboats set sail toward the upper Narragansett Bay. Kayakers and paddle boarders explore salt marsh islands and the banks of the Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge in One Hundred Acre Cove, a vital ecosystem for several bird species and the diamondback terrapin. At the center of Hampden Meadows, forested walking paths run through New Meadow Neck from Linden Road to the tennis courts on Kent Street. Many Hampden Meadows events are centered around supporting local schools, like the annual Hampden Meadows School Tough Tiger, a fundraiser adventure run put on by the PTO. Kids and family teams run through neighborhood streets and forested trails, climbing over obstacles and crawling through mud pits before celebrating with live entertainment and food trucks at the finish line in the school’s parking lot. Commuters either drive across the bridge to highways through Barrington or cut through Massachusetts, eventually merging onto Interstate 195 for an 11-mile drive into downtown Providence. Residents working in the Boston area may loop around Providence for a 60-mile drive up I-95 to the larger metropolitan area. Hampden Meadows has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10 compared to the national average of 4. With many streets terminating at the Barrington or Palmer rivers, Hampden Meadows is bordered by higher risk flood zones. “People wanting to live by the water know what they’re getting into,” Friedman says. “If you’re in a flood zone, you get flood insurance.”