Melville
A small town calls for small-town dining
Residents can head south to Newport for familiar big box stores and grocery chains like Walmart and Stop & Shop. However, Melville knows how to find the sweet spot for dining and hospitality. A remodeled 1890s farmhouse is home to Ragged Island Brewing Company. While the brewery ships its cans throughout New England, locals can enjoy the brews on the sprawling porches, in the summer camp-inspired interior or the attached dog-friendly greenhouse. Residents can catch a different buzz at Kaffeology outside the neighborhood's boundaries. Salted caramel cold brew and breakfast burritos are just some of the items contributing to the café's high rating. To take advantage of being on the ocean, Gulf Stream Bar and Grill serves seafood-centric cuisine in a building that was once an old Navy training center. It's a common waterhole for those rounding out a day of boating, as it's attached to the New England Boatworks marina.
Outside adventures to fill the days
Residents can have seasonal fun wandering the Green Animals Topiary Garden, the country's oldest topiary garden. Overlooking Narragansett Bay, it contains trimmed shapes of animals and fruit, as well as thousands of colorful tulip blooms. People with dogs can let them run free in the fenced enclosure at the Portsmouth RI Dog Park or take them on a walk at Glen Park. Sand volleyball courts and a baseball diamond sit alongside soccer fields in the park, where horse, dog and car shows also occur. Being on an island, it's no surprise that the residents like to get out on the ocean when they can. "A lot of people enjoy access to the water, and there are a few boating marinas in the area for docking," Dowd states.
Estates on golf courses and along the bay
Given the high median single-family price point of $1,700,000, it's no surprise that homes in Melville last a long time on the market. A few ranches and bilevels exist more inland, but people are primarily moving here to be close to the ocean. "We're on an island, so proximity to the water is a major draw. The closer you get to the water, the more substantial and expensive the houses are," Dowd says. Colonial Revivals and farmhouse-inspired ramblers are common, often with big porches that take advantage of oceanside views. Carnegie Abbey Golf Club is a private course bordering a few gated community homes. The exclusive selection of homes has access to the course and stunning views overlooking the bluff. A few townhouses and condos are in Melville, ranging from $300,000 to $1 million for units in the desirable Carnegie Tower.
Private or public, the schools are all great
According to Dowd, "Portsmouth has one of the best school districts in the area. There are also two prominent private schools: St. Philomena and Portsmouth Abbey School." Public school students can begin their education at Melville Elementary, rated an A-minus by Niche. Portsmouth Middle School and Portsmouth High School also receive an A-minus. With a low student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, the high school also has well-decorated sports teams.
Fireworks and festivals from decades past
Bristol and Newport are a short drive away and provide some of the best entertainment in the area. "Newport is home to the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival, which have been going on for decades," Dowd says. He also notes, "The oldest Fourth of July parade in the country takes place in Bristol. It's a can't-miss event."
A short drive from Newport
A few bus lines run along Main Road. However, Melville is remote, so getting around without a car can be difficult. "It's a great neighborhood for those who want to enjoy the city without being part of the hustle and bustle," Dowd notes. The area is tranquil, given it is removed from the immediate noise of airports, heavy traffic or hospitals heading towards Providence.
Written By
Heather Haggerty
Video By
Tyler Newbold
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Jamison Souza
Jamison Souza
Keller Williams South Watuppa
(508) 300-9317
83 Total Sales
2 in Melville
$435K - $1.1M Price Range
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The Labonte Group
The Labonte Group
Responds QuicklyResidential Properties Ltd.
(959) 230-0915
11 Total Sales
1 in Melville
$1,200,000 Price
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Connor Dowd
Connor Dowd
Keller Williams Coastal
(401) 830-9302
402 Total Sales
5 in Melville
$510K - $1.2M Price Range
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Jennifer Cosgrove O'Leary
Jennifer Cosgrove O'Leary
Responds QuicklyGreenwich Bay Brokers
(401) 320-4393
192 Total Sales
1 in Melville
$540,000 Price
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Kate Rooney
Kate Rooney
Responds QuicklyGustave White Sotheby's Realty
(401) 357-0037
63 Total Sales
4 in Melville
$615K - $1.6M Price Range
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Jim DeRentis
Jim DeRentis
Responds QuicklyResidential Properties Ltd.
(401) 681-8759
482 Total Sales
3 in Melville
$769K - $850K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 5th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 4th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Glen Park
Bristol Town Common
Bristol Playground
Fort Barton Woods & Revolutionary War Redoubt
Rockwell Park
Melville Recreation Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Melville | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Melville Demographics and Home Trends
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$465,000
Median Sale Price
$465,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$465,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
43%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$197
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
586
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
2001
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,680
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,016
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,715
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,024
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
23,958
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,541
Median Age
51
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.7%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$92,540
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$112,519
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.1%
College Graduates
58.4%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
32.3%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.9%
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®
19
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Portsmouth
Small town living in the heart of New England's historic coast
Island Park
A quaint coastal neighborhood within Aquidneck Island’s northernmost town
Pocasset Heights
Primarily residential suburb with great connectivity to the area
Portsmouth Park
Narragansett Bay enclave with eclectic restaurants and quick access to Newport
Bristol Ferry
Former transportation hub enters its second act as a quiet suburb of Portsmouth
South Portsmouth
Coastal living on the biggest island in the smallest state
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