$552,605Average Value$344Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Mt. Hope Bay-side suburban living
The Narrows is an east-side Bristol suburb known for its laid-back, coastal atmosphere. “It’s a very suburban area,” says Century 21 Topsail Realty’s Ryan Fonseca. The Realtor, who has more than 5 years of local real estate experience, says its vibe is a large part of its appeal. “Even on the west side of the neighborhood, you’re a short walk from the water, and all the homes come with a good-sized piece of land. Plus, Bristol is comparable to Newport, just not as crazy touristy,” he says. Classic New England homes with neatly kept gardens a short walk from the Mt. Hope Bay waterfront look like a movie set. So does Bristol’s historic downtown, a few miles west, where Independence Day festivities start nearly a month early every year. Fonseca: “It’s like a Hallmark town, or that town in ‘Gilmore Girls,’ Stars Hollow.”
This overview of the Narrows neighborhood shows the proximity to the waters of Mount Hope Bay.
A classic ranch home in the Narrows neighborhood includes personal touches like the wagon wheel.
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Single-family home prices comparable to the surrounding East Bay area
Lila Delman Compass Realtor Elizabeth Kirk, a Rhode Island local, says homes in Bristol are older than in Barrington, north across the water. But they’re not quite as old as the historic homes in Providence and Newport. “The Narrows is a suburban, settled neighborhood from the ‘80s and ‘90s, with a mixture of raised ranches, ranches and Colonials,” Fonseca says. Cape Cods and split-levels are also prevalent architectural styles on these wide, grid-patterned streets. “Being more of a settled neighborhood, your lot sizes are going to be a little bit larger than some of the newer construction areas in town,” he says, adding that the oversized lots and the lack of HOA in the neighborhood are part of its appeal to homebuyers. Prices start at around $365,000 for small inland homes and can climb to nearly $800,000 for large houses with properties backing up to Mt. Hope Bay. Fonseca says that’s typical for neighborhoods of single-family homes in Rhode Island’s East Bay area.
A bungalow in the Narrows neighborhood may look modest but the sunrise views are anything but.
Maximizing the water visibility, this modern cape style home has breathtaking sunrise views.
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Sowams Park and Mt. Hope Bay provide inland and waterfront recreation
Sowams Park is the neighborhood playground and basketball court, around the corner from Leahy’s Pond, part of Bristol’s collection of town-owned natural areas. Several public waterfront accesses, including a fishing area and a boat ramp, line Mt. Hope Bay on the neighborhood’s east side. The rocky shorelines aren’t good for much beyond casting fishing lines and launching small boats; for a beach day, residents visit Bristol Town Beach. The sandy, swimmable waterfront is on Narragansett Bay, less than 3 miles west of The Narrows. It’s close to Colt State Park, a 464-acre park with miles of hiking trails and paved bike paths.
Boating is an easy adventure in the Narrows neighborhood, fishing and water sports are popular.
Classic playground equipment in Sowams Park in the Narrows neighborhood is a treat for kids fun.
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Mt. Hope High offers dual enrollment with Roger Williams University
The Bristol-Warren Regional School District allows open enrollment, meaning parents and their students can apply to attend any school in the system. Both Rockwell Elementary and Guiteras Elementary are within 2 miles west of The Narrows, and earn B-plus grades from Niche. The district’s only middle and high schools, Kickemuit Middle and Mt. Hope High, get B grades. Mt. Hope offers 20 AP courses and dual enrollment algebra and pre-calculus classes in partnership with Roger Williams University, whose campus is less than 4 miles south. The private university is known for its law school, the only Juris Doctor program available in Rhode Island.
Playground equipment at the Rockwell School in Bristol allows children to learn through play.
The Mount Hope High School in Bristol serves the Bristol-Warren School District.
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Between Warren and Newport in east Rhode Island
Rhode Island State Route 114 runs the length of Bristol’s west side. The main road connects north across the Warren Bridge toward Warren, about 4 miles away, and Providence, about 17 miles away. The commute to Providence, the state capital and a regional employment hub, can take about 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Route 114 also heads south across the Mt. Hope Bridge to Newport, around 16 miles from The Narrows. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, or RIPTA, provides bus service around the region. Stops on Metacom Avenue, the main road on the neighborhood’s west side, are within a mile of most homes.
Bell Tower shopping center and downtown nearby
In the neighborhood’s northwest corner, the Bell Tower shopping center features casual sit-down restaurants. Green Eggs Breakfast is an all-day breakfast spot, while Nello’s Pizza serves classic and specialty pies, subs and Italian fare. Other businesses in the small strip mall include Calypso’s Pet Salon, Verizon and Anytime Fitness. Less than half a mile north up Metacom Avenue, locals can pick up groceries at Stop & Shop. Bristol’s historic downtown, a walkable waterfront district filled with local restaurants, museums and boutique retailers, is less than 4 miles west of The Narrows. Fonseca says there are tons of great local eateries. At the risk of playing favorites, he recommends The Lobster Pot for New England seafood and Roberto’s Restaurant & Café for Italian. Thousands flock downtown in July for Bristol’s annual Independence Day parade and fireworks. It’s the oldest continuous July 4th celebration in the United States. Patriotic festivities start on Flag Day, in June, with the Independence Rhode Race marathon, and continue through the Fourth with carnivals, children’s shows and field day-style competitions.
Green Eggs serves breakfast in Bristol's Narrows neighborhood and is conveniently located.
Nello's Pizza has the freshest pizza in the Narrows neighborhood.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Vincent Ding,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bristol Town Common
Bristol Playground
Independence Park
Colt State Park
Audubon Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge
Boating
Kayak/Canoe
River
Transit
Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International
39 min drive
Bus
Metacom Before Narrows
Bus
Metacom Opposite 467 Metacom
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
The Narrows
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
The Narrows Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in The Narrows, Bristol sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in The Narrows, Bristol over the last 12 months is $535,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
WELCOME TO WAPPING DRIVE...OWN A PIECE OF HISTORIC BRISTOL RI...A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD YOUR DEAM HOME ON THIS SPACIOUS 5000+ SQUARE FOOT LOT. A WONDERFUL, QUIET RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD IN PARK SHORES LOCATED ON THE EASE SIDE OF BRISTOL. A SHORT WALK TO THE KICKEMUIT RIVER TO ENJOY BOATING, FISHING AND CLAMMING. THE MOUNT HOPE BOAT LAUNCH IS JUST MINUTES FROM WAPPING DRIVE FOR ALL THOSE
Welcome to 17 Basswood! Nestled on a mature lot near the water and just moments from the renowned Bristol boat ramp, this charming Cape-style home offers comfort, convenience, and coastal charm. The first floor features an inviting eat-in kitchen, a formal dining room, a cozy living room, a bedroom, and a full bath ideal for flexible living arrangements. Upstairs, you'll find the spacious
Buildable Wooded Lot situated in a very sought after residential neighborhood on the eastern side of Bristol, RI. Lot is located at the end of a quiet street within the area known as The Bristol Narrows. From this lot, you can walk to the Kickemuit River and stroll through the narrow streets in this riverside community. Bring your plans for your Dream Home and let's make your dream a reality.
Listing: Waterfront House for RentAvailable August 24, 2025 (9 Month Lease Only)Property Description:Welcome to this stunning 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom waterfront house available for rent. Two bedroom on the second level and two extra beds on the first level. Fully furnished, this cozy retreat offers a serene escape with spectacular water views right from
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Vincent Ding,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,386
Median Age
46
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.2%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$96,313
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$115,420
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
36.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.5%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
24°F
Average Summer High Temperature
77°F
Annual Snowfall
32''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
22/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
9/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
