Arlington

A neighborhood in Cranston’s northeast side, Arlington is conveniently bounded by Interstate 95 and Route 10, via which residents can reach Downtown Providence’s commercial and cultural district in under 5 miles.

According to Basty Ortiz, a local broker with Bani Properties, the neighborhood is “very multicultural and eclectic -- you’ll see a mix of single-family, multifamily and commercial buildings.” The streetscape is also lined with white clapboard homes in varying styles – Cape Cods with centered brick chimneys and dormer windows, long and narrow shotgun bungalows with covered porches, and classic Dutch colonials with barn-like gambrel roofs. You’ll also find a large collection of ranchers painted in neutral shades and the occasional home clad in rustic wood shingles. Lot sizes are modest, with shallow, tidy front yards and backyards concealed by privacy fencing. According to Ortiz, “Single-family houses stay on the market for a little bit longer, but they do tend to sell within the first two months.” Homes may vary in shape, size and style, but most are priced between $300,000 and $400,000, in keeping with sales trends in surrounding neighborhoods.

Local kids can attend several schools in the area, including Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School, which offers career pathways in computer science, education and healthcare. Two neighborhood elementary schools, Gladstone Street and Arlington School, will soon be combined to form an international school serving the city of Cranston. The new facility will replace Gladstone Street’s existing structure, emphasizing greenspace and “curiosity centers” -- creative classrooms outfitted as music, art and maker spaces. Currently in its planning phase, the new school is projected to open for students in the fall of 2025.

After school, Reservoir Avenue Elementary students can walk to nearby Ardoene Park to shoot hoops or swing on the playground’s climbing structures. Baseball players can head to Mashapaug Park to play catch or stroll along the shore of Mashapaug Pond. While still a scenic destination, the pond is no longer safe for swimming due to pollution. However, local environmental groups and passionate residents are striving to restore the pond so that future generations can fully enjoy this urban oasis again.

Outdoor enthusiasts in Arlington also love the neighborhood’s proximity to Providence’s Roger Williams Park, a 435-acre green space offering a treasure trove of activities. Here, you can glide in a swan boat on one of the seven lakes, stroll along wooded trails, brush up on your native flora knowledge at the Botanical Center, or visit the state’s only public planetarium.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo houses over 100 species of exotic animals. It also hosts annual community events, such as the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in October and the Holiday Lights Spectacular, which shines brightly throughout December.

Running errands is easy in Arlington, home to familiar supermarkets and retailers including ALDI, Stop & Shop and Lowe’s. And you don’t have to travel abroad to taste the world, either -- Arlington restaurants offer a range of global cuisines. Order from the extensive pan-Asian menu at 4 Seasons Restaurant, enjoy a steaming bowl of ramen at Ebisu Providence or sample La Bandera Bistro’s beloved tacos under a festive canopy of twinkling lights. Or grab a lane and a cold one at Lang’s Bowlarama, the local bowling alley and bar.

Arlington’s prime location allows residents to access the amenities of both Cranston and the state’s bustling capital city, while enjoying the peace and quiet of neighborly streets.

Written By

Anouck Dussaud

Photography Contributed By

Jonathan Coon

Video By

Adam Barkley