Scituate

A 19th-century mill village and a big, flowing waterfall are some of the hallmarks of the rustic community of Scituate. Locals flock to this country town for its multi-acre lots, remote feel and easy access to shopping and dining, a rarity for a rural area. “I live on the north branch of the Pawtuxet River. I live on a body of water that is very clean, where you can swim, you can fish and you can kayak. That’s why I moved here. It’s very beautiful,” says Jess Powers, team leader and associate broker at Hope State Living with eXp Realty and a resident of Scituate. “I grew up in the Midwest, and folks here are similar to the folks I grew up with. It doesn’t feel urban.”

Residents can choose from a variety of different neighborhood styles in Scituate. Country lots ranging from 1-5 acres, suburban streetscapes with houses behind white picket fences and Victorian late 19th century homes near the historic Hope textile mill village are all choices for potential homebuyers. Contemporary homes can go for $675,000, colonials on multiple acres can cost $775,000, ranch-style houses can go for $475,000, 1920s bungalows can cost $425,000, 19th-century Federal-style colonials can go for $760,000 and 1950s Cape Cods can cost $425,000. "There aren't any large developments in Scituate. There are a few smaller developments with 10-15 houses, but the rest are spread out. It's not very densely populated," says Powers. Located in the southeast corner of town, the Hope Village Historic District includes duplex mill houses built around the Hope Mill, which started textile manufacturing in 1806. The historic district is notable because it was the first to use the Pawtuxet River for industrial power. It has a library with special events for kids like arts and crafts with rainbow paper and Cartoon Network Connoisseurs, where children can watch cartoons and eat snacks with their friends. Production stopped at Hope Mill in 2006, and after years of neglect, the mill is scheduled to be demolished in 2023.

The natural resources of Scituate are vast. The town has the Pawtuxet River and several wooded areas for hiking. Breathe in the natural beauty of Ponaganset Falls, a roadside waterfall where the Barden Reservoir spills over into the Scituate Reservoir. No hiking is necessary for a view of the picturesque falls. Outdoorsy neighbors will appreciate the Trott-Perry Land Preserve Trail, a peaceful 1.3-mile loop with water views. On the town border with Cranston is the John L. Curran Management Area, a 300-acre forested area with trees and a public garden. Deer and other wildlife are known to appear along the wooded pathways. "You also have the Scituate Reservoir, the primary water supply for Providence and the surrounding areas," says Powers.

Scituate is one of the rare country villages located only a few minutes from shopping and dining areas, says Powers. The town is a 10-minute drive from the Garden City Center, an open-air shopping mall in Cranston with fashion tenants like Anthropologie, lululemon and Nike, plus eateries like Newport Creamery and Legal Sea Foods. “Rhode Island has amazing food in the Providence area, and it’s easy to get there,” Powers says. The capital city is about 14 miles east, a roughly 25-minute drive. Neighbors shop at Whole Foods Market or Shaw’s in Cranston for groceries, or they go to Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, a local chain known for its wide selection and prepared foods.

Children living in Scituate can attend public school through the Scituate School Department, which has a B rating from Niche. Kids can attend one of three elementary schools, depending on where they live. Some children enroll in Clayville Elementary School (rated A-minus) before moving on to Scituate Middle School (rated B) and Scituate High School (rated B-minus). Scituate High School offers students four career and technical education pathways – computer science, engineering, entrepreneurship and biomedical science. Located along U.S. Route 6 and near Interstate 295, Scituate is a convenient spot for commuters. Newport is 37 miles away; Boston is 64 miles north and Hartford is 75 miles east. This little country town in eastern Rhode Island has a lot going for it, from natural beauty to nearby amenities to good schools.

Written By

Laura Finaldi

Photography Contributed By

Brett Bulthuis

Video By

Adam Lapallo