Major advancements in the wool industry were pioneered in Wakefield-Peacedale, including use of the first carding machines, and the first manufacturer to house all of its wool processing steps into one factory.
The towns of Wakefield and Peacedale are nestled into the south of Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U
Major advancements in the wool industry were pioneered in Wakefield-Peacedale, including use of the first carding machines, and the first manufacturer to house all of its wool processing steps into one factory.
The towns of Wakefield and Peacedale are nestled into the south of Rhode Island, the smallest state in the U.S. While the 8,000-plus residents of the two villages are proud of their separate addresses, they have joined forces to maximize efficiencies when it comes to their tax dollars. Shared services mean big savings for the folks that live in Wakefield and Peacedale, leaving them free to enjoy everything that ocean side living has to offer. In fact, many Rhode Islanders that can't make Wakefield and Peacedale their permanent home keep second houses in these towns, so that they can escape city living every weekend.
Most homes in Wakefield-Peacedale are of older stock, built primarily before 1940. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so when you plan your move, you are very likely to find plenty of choices in rental properties suited to your space and lifestyle needs. Customarily, owners request the first month's rent and a security deposit from new tenants, and you can expect a credit check. Background checks are occasionally part of the application process, though this practice is not common.
Because of the area's popularity as a summer destination, you will come across many homes for rent at a low price from September to May, then a far higher rate during the summer months. Before you spend your time visiting a prospective rental property, make sure you clarify whether the lease is offered for nine months or year round.
It's time to decide which village you want to identify with, so check out the list below to see what each has to offer.
Wakefield: While the village of Wakefield specializes in small single-family homes for rent, there are some larger houses that have been divided into several apartments. As a result, finding a studio apartment for rent or something with one or two bedrooms should not be a challenge. There are several apartment complexes if you prefer that sort of arrangement, some of which offer amenities like pools, common rooms and fitness centers. Large houses with four or five bedrooms are available from time to time, though these tend to be properties that offer leases for the off-season only. Parts of Wakefield border on small bodies of water, such as Silver Lake and Upper Pond. This is lovely for people wishing to swim, canoe and kayak right from their doorstep. Rhode Island is known as the Ocean State, and no matter where you live in Wakefield, you are not far from salt water.
Peacedale: This village is the larger of the two, and it is somewhat more affordable than Wakefield. Properties are on the newer side, so it makes sense to look here if you don't want to live in a home with lots of history. There is a mix of apts for rent in Peacedale, along with a wide selection of small and medium-sized houses. As with Wakefield, larger homes are available, but they are more difficult to secure. Those that are not owner-occupied tend to have separate leases for summer months and the off-season. Peacedale, too, has plenty of waterfront property on the small ponds and reservoirs that dot the area. Some of these include the Rocky Brook Reservoir, Saugatucket Pond, Asa Pond and the Peacedale Reservoir. Rhode Island beaches are just a few miles down the road, making for plenty of opportunity to relax with the crashing waves no matter the season.
Peacedale's earliest citizens date back to 1800, when it was founded as a mill village for workers in the local wool industry. Twenty years later, Wakefield came into its own, when the same family that ran the wool factories in Peacedale transitioned the snuff producers out of the area and renamed Wakefield after friends back in England. Many gorgeous architectural reminders of Wakefield and Peacedale's early contributions to the young U.S. economy remain standing, earning the area a designation on the register of historic places.
Because Wakefield-Peacedale was originally home to many Native Americans, you will find that local culture includes many references to the area's tribes. Street names and bodies of water reflect the names bestowed by Native Americans, and visitors curious about this period can visit the nearby Tomaquag Museum and the Museum of Primitive Art and Culture.
Rhode Island's first industry was centered on its harbors, and many residents make it a point to visit the historical lighthouses in the Wakefield-Peacedale area. While some have been retired, there are a number still operating today. Some of the most interesting include the Watch Hill Lighthouse, the Plum Beach Lighthouse and the Point Judith Lighthouse.
Living in Wakefield-Peacedale does not mean giving up arts and entertainment. Southern Rhode Island has a thriving arts community, and in 30 minutes, you can be in the city of Providence, home to the RISD Museum, the Providence Performing Arts Center and the award-winning Trinity Repertory Theatre. National performances make these priority stops on tour, and the theater produces unique, highly acclaimed plays from both original and well-known playwrights.
Rhode Island's food scene is often in the national press, and Wakefield-Peacedale residents get to enjoy some of the finest examples of signature Rhode Island cuisine in their backyards. Aunt Carrie's Ice Cream Shoppe creates old-fashioned frozen treats that bring in customers from all over New England, and Aunt Carrie's Restaurant serves the finest clam cakes and chowder in the country, hands-down. If you want to stay in town to eat, there's Mews Tavern, Kabuki, Arturo Joe's and Mariner Grille.
Just over the bridge, Wakefield-Peacedale residents can head to scenic Newport for a few hours or a few days, to see how the wealthiest early Americans spent their summers. Tour one of the massive mansions, referred to as "summer cottages," and take a stroll on the Newport Cliff Walk, which overlooks the Atlantic Coast. Of course, there are beaches, fine dining and shopping to keep you busy in Newport as well.
Early Wakefield-Peacedale and Rhode Island residents brought the U.S. some of its most critical infrastructure, so history and engineering buffs can enjoy a variety of museums and monuments that mark these accomplishments. The Quonset Air Museum is only rivaled by the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, DC, and the Rhode Island Railroad Museum is entertaining and educational for train buffs of every age.
