$499,973Average Value$405Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Secluded island life on Narragansett Bay
Prudence is the third-largest island on Narragansett Bay. Unlike the two largest islands, it’s only accessible by private boat or ferry. “When you live here, your life does revolve around the ferry,” says year-round islander Jennifer Gempp, a Coastal Properties Group Realtor. “You have to watch the weather. We’re in the bay, so it’s not as bad as Block Island, but you do have to watch the wind and hope it doesn’t pick up, or else they might cancel the ferry in the afternoon,” she says. The small ferry terminal provides four daily boats, docking in Bristol on Rhode Island’s mainland. “In the summer, there are more,” says Gempp, noting that with the warmer weather, the island’s population jumps from 200 to almost 3,000.
Jacob Wint, a NextHome Ocean State Realtor with about 5 years of experience working with clients here, calls the island a hidden gem. “You’re surrounded by ocean, sunrises and sunsets. It truly is a getaway from the hectic lives many of us lead,” he says. For full-time residents like Gempp, preserving the island’s secluded, quiet atmosphere is important. “It’s beautiful and quiet, but we have limited internet. There are no restaurants on-island, but we do dinner parties and beach parties. It’s a different way of living.”
A limited number of homes available
“There’s only about 450 homes on the island,” Wint says. “Most of them are second homes passed down for generations. On weekends, people come for the quiet, peace and separation from the workweek. Renters who vacation here often rent the same house year after year. This is a family oriented place, not a tourist attraction, and residents, full- and part-time, want to keep it that way.” Gempp agrees. “The smallness, the nature, the quiet is part of the appeal,” she says. When they go on the market, Prudence’s limited collection of beach cottages typically sell for between $200,000 and nearly $930,000, depending on their size and proximity to the water. “It’s difficult to build here. You can’t put a cement truck on the ferry or run to the hardware store down the street. There isn’t one,” Gempp says.
Kids commute off-island for class
The only school on the island is Prudence Island School. Built in 1896, it’s the last operating one-room schoolhouse in the state. “This year, we don’t have any children enrolled,” Gempp says, explaining that given the island’s low population, sometimes there aren’t enough students to fill the classroom. When that happens, the Prudence Island School Foundation offers regular activities and workshops at the school to keep it operational. The one-room schoolhouse isn’t the only option for islanders. Students may attend Portsmouth Public Schools, including Melville Elementary, Portsmouth Middle and Portsmouth High, between preschool and 12th grade. The elementary and high schools earn A-minus grades from Niche. Portsmouth Middle gets an A. Portsmouth High’s Early Enrollment Program allows students to earn college credits for courses taken on the high school campus. While traditional school buses don’t fit on the ferry, Portsmouth schools do provide transportation to islanders. “They get picked up on-island by the school van, which picks them all up and brings them to the boat by 6:20,” Gempp says. “We have two parents trained to be the monitor on the ferry, so they go on the boat with the kids. They dock and get on their bus, which drops them off at the appropriate schools, and then they all come back home on the 3:30.”
Nature preserves on Narragansett Bay provide relaxed recreation
Almost 90% of Prudence Island is preserved land maintained either by the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve or the Prudence Conservancy. The NBNERR is one of 30 national estuarine research reserves in the country and collects information on water quality and weather on Narragansett Bay. It also hosts an artist-in-residence program on the island. Farnham Farm, north of the reserve, is a historic farm-turned-community garden with a blueberry patch and vineyard. Farther north, a disc golf course on the historic Baker Farm is at the center of a trail system that branches across the island like wagon wheel spokes. “When you’re there, it feels like you’re stuck in time,” Wint says. “You have internet, cable and power, but when you step outside, you step back in time. Clamming, swimming, kayaking and biking are what you do.” The Prudence Improvement Association hosts the island’s annual Chowder & Stuffie Cook-off every summer, celebrating clamming culture with two of Rhode Island’s most popular dishes.
One on-island general store
“On the island, there’s no running to the grocery store or Home Depot,” Wint says. Gempp agrees. “We have one little store, Prudence Variety. In the winter, it’s only open during the ferry times, so we really have to plan. The woman who owns the store took over from her mom, who we used to call the mayor of the island. It’s been family owned forever,” she says, adding that the little general store is also the island’s post office. “If you live here full-time, you get your mail at the store in a P.O. box. Our ferry guys pick up our mailbags and bring them to the store once a day. No other mail delivery, package delivery or mail trucks come over. Everything is done by ferry.” And that’s just how locals like it. Gempp: “When we show properties to off-islanders, we always tell them not to try to change the island. Don’t ask for a coffee shop. Don’t ask for a pizza restaurant. We don’t want it. That’s just not the island.” For restaurants, groceries and national chain retailers, islanders can take the ferry over to Bristol.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Gempp,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Melville Recreation Area
Rocky Point Park
DelGiudice Memorial Park Playground
John C. DelGiudice Memorial Park
Oakland Beach Commons
Oakland Beach Gazebo
Transit
Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International
82 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Prudence Island
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Prudence Island, Portsmouth sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Prudence Island, Portsmouth over the last 12 months is $566,522, up 30% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Brand New Construction on Prudence Island!This brand-new construction home on Prudence Island offers modern design and thoughtful details, perfect for year-round or seasonal living. The single-story layout features 1,064 sq ft with 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and an open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area. Highlights include hardwood floors in the bedrooms, tile throughout the rest of
Unbelievable views from the hill! 2400 SF main house with detached garage that offers a 1 bedroom apartment on second floor. Brand new roof, windows, deck, and heating/AC. 15000 SF lot! New septic has been installed.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jennifer Gempp,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
Weather
Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
22°F
Average Summer High Temperature
83°F
Annual Snowfall
44''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
24/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
