When I first arrived in Providence, I was honestly quite taken aback.

I had expected a city of a certain size like New York or Boston, but it was much smaller than I anticipated.

I even thought, "Is this really the state capital?"

However, after a few months, I began to realize that it has its own charm.

In particular, I feel that satisfaction greatly varies depending on what kind of lifestyle you want.

The population of Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, is about 180,000. By U.S. standards, it's a relatively small city.

However, there are important factors that shape the city's atmosphere. These are Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design.

Thanks to these two schools, the entire city maintains a youthful and trendy vibe.

In terms of cost of living, there are both advantages and drawbacks.

Rent is definitely lower than in Boston, but it's not necessarily cheap overall. Especially in winter, heating costs can feel more burdensome than expected.

Overall, the cost of living isn't significantly lower, and it's realistic to understand it as "more affordable than Boston."

Safety varies by area. Downtown and around the universities are relatively stable, but there are neighborhoods that change in atmosphere just a little further out. There are definitely places that feel uncomfortable to walk alone at night.

So, I felt that how you choose your living area greatly influences your overall satisfaction.

One of the most impressive aspects of Providence is WaterFire. It's an event where fires are lit on the river, accompanied by music, transforming the usually quiet city into a completely different scene for the day.

Tourists and locals come together to create a festive atmosphere. While it doesn't have exciting events every day like a big city, the feeling of the entire city coming together for these special moments felt even warmer.

The food is surprisingly good in some areas. In particular, the Italian food in the Federal Hill area is quite high quality. I felt that the quality of pasta and pizza is comparable to that of New York.

However, options for Korean food are limited. After living here for a while, you may feel disappointed in this regard. As a result, many Koreans go to Boston to shop. It's about an hour's drive, so it's possible, but it can become burdensome if done frequently.

Transportation is somewhat inconvenient. Public transport isn't very convenient, so having a car makes life much easier. Fortunately, the city itself isn't large, so travel distances aren't too long.

The weather has distinct four seasons. Winters are long and damp, and the wind from the ocean makes it feel colder. On the other hand, summers are short but relatively pleasant. The clear change of seasons can be polarizing, but it can also be seen as a charm.

Overall, Providence isn't a city that has everything. If you expect a vibrant city life or a diverse Korean community, you might find it somewhat lacking. However, for those who want to focus on their work in a quiet environment or want to experience life in the East for the first time, it can be a good option.

It may be small, but I think it's a balanced city that feels comfortable because it's not fast-paced.