A town for those who love the outdoors
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.
Outdoor recreation on land or sea
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.
Superb public schools and an elite private option
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.
There's no place like home, especially one on the water
The median home price in Barrington is $590,000, and buyers should expect to pay an average of $353 per square foot. The median year of construction for homes here is 1952, a fact that reflects the town’s development following World War II. Homes in the area tend to up in price further south and closer to the water. North of Primrose Hill Road, houses typically fall into the $400,000 range; a typical two-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style home in this area can sell for around $420,000. Further south, a three-bedroom/two-bathroom Colonial Revival home can list for around $700,000. Near Rumstick Point on the southern edge of Barrington, prices can go up to $3.3 million for a four-bedroom/four-bathroom colonial-style.
Eat and shop locally at Barrington Shopping Center
Barrington Shopping Center is a hub of retail activity. There, shoppers will find national retailers like Talbots and Jos. A. Bank, alongside the locally owned Barrington Books, as well as Shaw’s for groceries and CVS Pharmacy for other household necessities. Further south, shoppers can browse vintage clothing at Luca or antiques and handmade jewelry at Grasmere. “Barrington is a great example of a little New England town with a bunch of local shops,” says Kirk. When dining out, Barrington residents can choose from more than a dozen locally owned restaurants, including Thai cuisine at Tong-D, fresh seafood at Bluewater Bar & Grill and Portuguese fusion at Oxford Tavern.
Get out of town
Highway 114 traces its way through the middle of Barrington and intersects with both Route 6 and Interstate 195 a few miles north, providing residents with easy access to those thoroughfares. For trips that require traveling a little further, Providence’s T. F. Green Airport is about 20 miles away from Barrington.
Written By
Andrew Spencer
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Coon
