About self storage in Rhode Island
Rhode Island in New England may be the smallest of America’s fifty states in terms of land size, but it offers much in the way of natural beauty. The landscape includes thick forests, rushing rivers and long beaches, some of which are surrounded by bluffs. Those living in the state or traveling through may find many opportunities for outdoor family adventure, particularly along the many inlets and bays where sailing is a regular part of life. Although called an island, a large section of the state is on the mainland. The rest includes more than 30 small islands.
Providence has the largest population with a citizenry of about 175,000. As the state capital, it houses the state government. Politics in the area have leaned largely toward the Democratic Party during the twentieth and early twenty–first centuries. Some of its policies reflect this liberal leaning. For instance, early on the state outlawed capital punishment, it has legalized medical marijuana, and the state funds medical coverage for children. For many years organized crime had a stronghold in Providence although recent decades have seen the power of criminal groups fade.
Those living in the area include people of various cultural backgrounds. About 90 percent of Rhode Islanders are white although significant pockets of distinctive ethnic groups reside in the state, including Americans whose families hail from Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana. Religiously, nearly ninety percent of residents consider themselves Christian. Of that number, Roman Catholics make up more than sixty percent.
Early Values of Rhode Island
Rhode Island has a long, rich history. Early colonists held Christian views that were sometimes at odds with neighboring colonies. Their philosophy supported religious freedom, separation of church and state, and the rights of all people including American Indians and blacks. For instance, as early as 1652, leaders outlawed slavery, the first such law in what would become the United States. Unfortunately, later generations ignored this law and became instrumental in the slave trade. The legacy of support for human rights did not disappear, though. The state refused to ratify the Constitution after the colonies declared their independence from England until they had been assured that it would include a Bill of Rights.
Business and Industry
Residents of Rhode Island, who number just over a million, have built a diversified economy. Farming and fishing have sustained many residents since colonial times while other businesses like textile manufacturing took root in the area in later years. In recent times many some manufacturing jobs have fallen by the wayside, resulting in a large number of abandoned factories. Some have been redesigned and updated in order to be sold as loft–style condominiums, office buildings and other types of facilities. Manufacturing still contributes significantly to the local economy, but today, services related to health care make up the largest part of the economy. Tourism also brings in a great deal of revenue and sustains nearly 40,000 jobs.
Education
Several colleges and universities educate students in Rhode Island. Some of these are quite old like Brown University, which dates back to colonial times. Some of the state’s other post–secondary schools include Rhode Island College, the University of Rhode Island, Bryant College, the Naval War College and the New England Institute of Technology.
Self storage facilities serve the needs of students in areas near colleges in Rhode Island. Self storage units provide a place to store books, furniture and clothing that students do not wish to take home when leaving campus for the summer. Students who plan to leave their cars at school while they go home or on vacation during winter, spring or summer breaks may want to rent a self storage space designed for motor vehicles for greater security. Storage units may be rented for long or short periods to accommodate most any time schedule.
Places to Visit in Rhode Island
- Spend a day relaxing in the water at Narragansett Town Beach and touring the city.
- Find a piece of handmade artwork for your home at the international art festival held each year in Wickford in North Kingston.
- Spend the Fourth of July with the family at the country’s oldest Independence Day parade, which is held each year in Bristol.
- Hike the rocky beach below Mohegan Bluffs in New Shoreham.
- Take a pleasure cruise around Newport Harbor off the coast of Aquidneck Island.
- Visit historic districts in older cities like Newport. Take a step back in time when you walk through neighborhoods, enjoy a meal at restaurants and shop in stores that were designed and built in colonial times.
- Teach your children about the societies that inhabited Rhode Island in early colonial times while visiting the American Indian meeting place known as King Philip’s Seat at Mount Hope.
The fact that the ‘Ocean State’ includes many islands, inlets and bays makes it a great place to enjoy the coast. Many Rhode Islanders and tourists enjoy taking a boat offshore to feel the cool ocean breeze and warm sunshine while spending the day sailing. On land the many miles of shoreline make walks in the sand, swimming and boogie boarding just a few of the ways to have fun.
With so many opportunities for beach activities and boating, many people in Rhode Island may find they have too much outdoor equipment to comfortably store at home. Self storage facilities cater to these needs by providing a variety of self storage options. Outdoor storage areas often are used to keep vehicles safe while indoor facilities may include temperature and humidity controls to protect valuables from the frosty winters and hot, humid summers of Rhode Island.
To find a self storage unit that can hold your schooner, Jet Ski, college gear or old furniture, visit StorageFront.