Hi!
Have lived in RI since 1968, but have never spent appreciable time in the NW, so I can't give you comparisons.
You ask about job markets... what is your field?
Central Ma. offers decent day-skiing (2000ft) and is about an hour off. If you want Killington and Mt. Snow, it's a 4 hour ride.
History abounds! So do bad drivers.
It's a lovely, lively little city. People who are not from here might think it stuffy. It's a college town in a college state that has some of the worst academic scores in the nation. The best mayor who's reigned in Providence is now at the Ft. Devens Brig in NJ serving 5 years for corruption charges. We're the state of oxy-morons:-)
You can e-mail or IM through the forum and I'm happy to answer specific questions. Good luck!

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-Elizabeth.
1977 240D