Blackstone is a rural town on the Rhode Island state line
On the border of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Blackstone is a rural town of about 9,000 residents. In the early 1800s, the small village developed near textile mills along the Blackstone River. It was at the junction of many railways and the Blackstone Canal, making it not just an industrial hub but a gathering place for those living in nearby towns. Today, Blackstone maintains its rural feel. It’s a popular place to live for those working in nearby metropolitan areas who want space to breathe when they clock out. “It’s a very convenient area for commuters,” says Suzanne Ranieri, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, who is a lifelong resident of the neighboring town of Bellingham. “It has access to the highways going to Providence and Worcester, and it’s not more than 20 minutes from the commuter rail to Boston.”
Recreation surrounding the Blackstone River and other outdoor experiences
Near the Rhode Island state line sits Blackstone Gorge, where rocky cliffs overlook the Blackstone River. Visitors can trek wooded trails, kayak or fish at this scenic spot. The Blackstone River Greenway, a 48-mile bikeway running from Worcester to Providence, follows the Blackstone River and passes through Blackstone. Locals can form a team and compete in the Blackstone River Greenway Challenge, an eight-segment relay that involves paddling, cycling and running through towns in the Blackstone River Valley. Nearby Attilio Valati Nature Park offers a quiet and serene outdoor experience, with benches by bubbling brooks and natural trails. Walkable from some homes in the neighborhood, Turbesi Park on Rathbun Street is a great place for kids to blow off steam after school. Various recreation options include a playground, baseball court, ball field and open green space. At Harris Pond, locals can cast their lines into the water and fish for bass. A 1-mile marked hike around the pond is a great spot to run or walk the dog. World War II Veterans Memorial State Park is about a mile and a half from Blackstone, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. With a splash pad, state-of-the-art playground, tennis and volleyball courts, walking paths and more, this is a great place to spend an afternoon with family or friends. Also close by is the New England Country Club, where locals can play a round of golf amid mature oak and pine trees.
Variety of home styles and locations
Most homes in Blackstone sit in established subdivisions, with well-maintained yards and wide, walkable streets. Some houses on large lots dot country roads, and, near the town center, properties sit on sidewalk-lined roads. Colonial Revivals, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes are common throughout the town, and the area’s median single-family home price is $500,000, with size, age and condition accounting for price variation.
Students zoned for Blackstone-Millville Regional School District
The Blackstone-Millville Regional School District, which gets a B-minus score from Niche, serves Blackstone and its neighbor to the west, Millville. The district only has four schools, and students can attend Millville Elementary School, which gets a B-minus from Niche, for kindergarten to second grade, before A.F. Maloney Elementary, which receives a B, for fifth and sixth grade. Next, students can attend Frederick W. Hartnett Middle, which gets a C-plus, and Blackstone Millville Regional High, which earns a B-minus. “The high school has a great marching band that wins awards across the country,” says Ranieri. “They’ve been in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Rose Bowl. They’ve gone down to Orlando and played at Disney.”
Shopping and dining in Blackstone and nearby Woonsocket
There’s a small commercial presence in Blackstone. Locals can grab groceries from Stop & Shop on Pulaski Boulevard. Also in this area, there’s a Dollar Tree, Dunkin’, gas stations, banks and other practicalities. To eat out, locals can head to Goodstuff Smokehouse, a barbecue spot with a rustic vibe, or Roast House, which serves hearty portions of American fare. There are also more retail and dining options, from big-box shopping to small, local eateries.
Traveling throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island
The Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) runs 22 miles from the Franklin State Forest to the Douglas State Forest. The trail goes through Blackstone and other surrounding towns. The town is close to the Rhode Island State line, and locals can get into Woonsocket using Federal Street. Commuters to Providence can hop on Rhode Island state Route 146 for about 20 miles. Commuters to Worcester can use Massachusetts state Route 146 for about 30 miles. Boston is a roughly 50-mile drive away, and there’s a Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority commuter rail about 9 miles away in Franklin.
I am a dedicated professional with more than 20 years of experience in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I was borned and raised in Venezuela where I obtained a Bachelor Degree in Audiovisual Journalism and a few years later, I completed a Master in Spanish as foreign language teaching. I offer expertise in helping first time buyers find homes and Investor find real estate options . Please feel free to ask me if there is anything else you would like to know. I look forward to partnering with you and tackling your next real estate endeavor.
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