Middletown is a scenic city with two beautiful shorelines. Residents enjoy the best of oceanside living in a small, charming community. Newport County is hailed as "Nine Coastal Towns, One Big Experience," which shows the exceptional experiences that can be found in the area. Artists come to Middletown from all over the world to be inspired by the city's breathtaking scenery, pristine white beaches, delicate sand dunes and partially rocky coastlines. Less than 18,000 people live here, maintaining a close-knit community of residents who know and care for each other. Look for Middletown apartments for rent, and find one of the most relaxing communities in Rhode Island.
Newport County has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The first English settlers came to Aquidneck Island in 1639. Led by Anne Hutchinson, they were driven out of Boston for challenging the foundations of Puritanism. Native tribes had been living in the area for at least 5,000 years prior to white settlement, which could be seen in the land management and fishing practices of the land. Over hundreds of years, residents built the foundation for a thriving community, including one of the leading ports in colonial North America. The city was very important during the American Revolution, as residents here had a long history of disapproval of British leadership. Today, Middletown is still home to many historical sites that celebrate the city's resilience.
Local students take advantage of the opportunities located four miles to the south in Newport. Salve Regina University is a Catholic liberal arts school that focuses on the individual talents of each student. More than 2,500 students come to Salve Regina each year for top-notch academic programs, community service initiatives, extracurricular activities and exciting athletic programs. The 80-acre oceanfront campus provides the perfect landscape for students to study and reflect on the university's religious teachings. Salve Regina University is joined by the Community College of Rhode Island in offering higher education for students of all backgrounds.
For those seeking work, Middletown is home to some of Rhode Island's lucrative business opportunities. The city is home to booming educational, health, social services, recreation, entertainment, and food services industries. Top employers here include General Dynamics Electric Boat, Raytheon Service Company, Courtyard by Marriot, Blenheim-Newport and the Grand Islander Health Care Center. Sixty percent of residents here work in management, sales and office occupations with another 19 percent working in the service industry to support the local population.
Middletown's island location has driven up rent prices in this scenic coastal city. United States Census Bureau statistics indicate that the standard Middletown apartment costs $1,078 a month, which is $200 more than the Rhode Island state average. Everyday living expenses are also relatively expensive in Middletown. The city received a cost of living index of 116.2, which is well above the United States average of 100.
One of the best local attractions is the Newport Vineyards, with stunning vineyards and wine that captures the unique flavors of Rhode Island. Visitors can enjoy daily wine tasting tours and even create their own custom-labeled wine bottles. The vineyard also hosts many events on the property throughout the year. Whitehall Museum is another local favorite, set on the remnants of a farm from the eighteenth century. The museum features historical Middletown artifacts and a beautiful planted garden where visitors can enjoy a stroll. Whitehall is only open to the public for two months in the summer, and invites visitors to take a guided tour of the museum.
Middletown is home to an annual Christmas Craft Fair, featuring fun holiday products and creations. The event raises money for Hasbro Children's Hospital with all proceeds of the raffle being donated to the hospital. Other local favorite events include the Harvest Craft Fair and Celebration of the Arts Festival.
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