Brown University is situated on the East Side of Providence, on historic College Hill, overlooking downtown Providence. The area around Brown has a friendly, residential vibe, with plentiful housing options, grocery shopping, cafes, and restaurants all within walking distance of campus.
With its low cost of living, historic architecture, and nationally renowned dining scene, the capital city is a vibrant place to live and work. Rhode Island covers just over 1,200 square miles yet boasts more than 400 miles of coastline and 100 beaches. Providence has a vibrant arts and culture scene, including many music, theater, and arts venues.
Brown’s campus is bordered by residential areas with many apartments and multi-bedroom houses. Most Brown graduate students live off campus in the neighborhoods surrounding the University. See the Brown campus map to locate the Watson Institute at Thayer and Charlesfield Streets and get a sense of the campus in general.
Walking distance: Generally termed "East Side," includes College Hill, Wayland Square, Wickenden Street, Fox Point, and the Hope Street area.
On a bus line: Blackstone Boulevard and Rochambeau are also considered to be on the "East Side"; Oak Hill, Downtown; the "West Side" includes Broadway, Federal Hill, and the Armory District.
Brown has a limited number of efficiency, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments located on campus for graduate students.
All Brown students ride free on the RIPTA bus system using a Brown I.D. The train station, located a 10-minute walk from campus, provides an easy connection to Boston and New York City. Nearby airports include T.F. Green in Warwick, Rhode Island (15 minutes by car) and Logan airport in Boston, Massachusetts (one hour by car).