Quality Hill

Quality Hill is a primarily residential neighborhood, with an irregular grid pattern of streets and historic architecture. While there might be a neighborhood market or corner restaurant on domestic roads, locals are removed from the bustle of downtown Pawtucket, and convenient access to U.S. Interstate 95 ensures they can get to surrounding areas with ease.

“Buyers like this neighborhood for its historic charm,” says Curtis Lopes, a Realtor with Advanced Realty, who has 7 years of experience in the Pawtucket area. “There are a lot of Victorian homes with high ceilings.” A large, multi-family Victorian home with five to eight bedrooms typically runs in the $700,000 to $800,000 range here. There are various multi-family options with Georgian or colonial influence that run in the same price range. There are also three- or four-bedroom, single-family homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. Multiple apartment complexes and condominiums are also dotted throughout Quality Hill.

Students are zoned for the Pawtucket School District and can attend Agnes E. Little Elementary School, a C-rated school from Niche, before moving to Joseph Jenks Junior High School, which Niche gives a C-minus. These schools are walkable from some homes in the neighborhood. Children can finish their studies at Charles E. Shea High School, which gets a C-plus from Niche. These schools all have a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Another option within the neighborhood boundaries includes faith-based Saint Raphael Academy, an A-rated high school from Niche with a 14-to-1 student-teacher ratio.

The neighborhood sits beside the Seekonk River. At Festival Pier, wander a walkway by the water and watch the city lights reflect off it. During the day, pack a picnic and bring a friend to sit on one of the scattered tables. There’s also a boat launch here, where residents can take kayaks or canoes onto the water. Dunnell Park sits on a hillside and offers visitors views of the city. Where the land flattens, three baseball fields sit and host recreational sporting league events. There’s also a playground where kids can run around.

147 Market and Deli is a corner store that’s walkable from some homes in the neighborhood where locals grab late-night snacks or a forgotten ingredient for dinner. There’s another neighborhood market, McCoy Market, on South Bend Street that serves fresh-made sandwiches. A more comprehensive shopping trip can be had at Stop & Shop, one mile north of the neighborhood. For a night out, head to Pawtucket Patriot Bar & Grill, a dive bar with pool tables and dart boards. On Wednesday and Sunday, the bar hosts karaoke. Right Spot is a popular breakfast joint, where customers sit at the counter and order meals.

While this neighborhood is within Pawtucket’s city limits, it feels separate. The streets are almost entirely residential. Just outside, however, locals are spoiled with access to the city’s various amenities. Lopes says, “Downtown is emerging. There are new diners and restaurants. They’re building a new soccer field.” Renovating the historic Slater Mill –just minutes away from the neighborhood using Walcott Street – into a museum and cultural center symbolizes the city’s revitalization efforts. These efforts have attracted new businesses, restaurants and residents, breathing a new life into Pawtucket.

In case of emergency, there’s a hospital within the neighborhood on Pond Street. Bus routes littered along Armistice Boulevard travel throughout Pawtucket and into Providence. The neighborhood borders U.S. Interstate 95 to the west, taking residents 5 miles south to Providence. Taking I-95 to the north will lead locals about 50 miles into Boston.

Written By

Adreanna DeMarino

Photography Contributed By

Fatima Johnson

Video By

Matthew Bloch