In honor of Pride Month, Realtor.com recently named the best cities for LGBTQ+ homeowners in the United States. New England had a good showing: Providence, Rhode Island and Salem, Massachusetts ranked No. 2 and No. 8, respectively! We reached out Coldwell Banker Realty agents who work in these towns to get the scoop on why Providence and Salem are excellent places for the LGBTQ+ community to call home.
“The Rhode Island real estate market is thriving right now thanks in great part to its highly accepting atmosphere towards the LGBTQ+ community,” said Tyler Rosciti, who is affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty in Providence. “The abundance of fantastic restaurants, cultural acceptance, top universities and gorgeous coastline only add to the number of reasons Rhode Island is becoming one of the top destinations for homebuyers in the Northeast.”
The median list price for a home in the Rhode Island state capital is $299,950, according to Realtor.com. While home to less than 200,000 people, the article cited Providence’s thriving downtown, PrideFest, and college town atmosphere (being home to Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design) among its many amenities. Realtor.com also recently named Providence among the Top 10 cities where homeownership has increased the most since the pandemic began.
“The Providence market has exploded with many millennial and out-of-state buyers, many from Boston metro and New York City, who are finding they can easily work remotely yet enjoy a balanced and active lifestyle,” said Steven Miller of Coldwell Banker Realty in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
Salem, meanwhile was touted by Realtor.com for being home to its own (though small) gay scene as well as the Salem Art Fair and Festival, Salem Film Festival, and Salem Lit Fest. The median price for a home in May was $499,050.
“As a Coldwell Banker Realtor, as well as the founder and president of North Shore Pride, a nonprofit organization with a mission of education and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ persons here on the North Shore, I can highly recommend the city of Salem as a LGBTQ+ welcoming city,” said Hope Watt-Bucci of Coldwell Banker Realty in Manchester. “When deciding where to hold our first annual North Shore Pride Parade and Festival 10 years ago, Salem was our first choice due to the goal of the city, Mayor Driscoll and a very active No Place for Hate Committee to reach true equality for all citizens of Salem. Without hesitation, as a Realtor and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I welcome you home to Salem.”
