Bristol, RI 55+ Retirement Communities and Homes

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Overview

Rhode Island, the smallest state by area, is located in the New England region of the United States. Despite its name, most of the state of Rhode Island lies on the North American mainland. Rhode Island has long held the nickname of “Little Rhody,” though the state has officially adopted the nickname of "the Ocean State," as nearly one tenth of Rhode Island's inland area is covered by salt water, and no resident is more than a 45-minute drive from the water's edge.

Being small doesn’t hold back the cultural opportunities in Rhode Island. Providence, the state’s capital, is home to the Rhode Island School of Design, one of the best art schools in the nation. The school’s Museum of Art houses 80,000 works ranging from Greek sculptures to more contemporary pieces. Newport has the largest collection of Colonial Era structures in the country and a number of palatial Gilded Age mansions.

For the outdoorsy retiree, there are roughly a dozen “heritage trails” throughout the state that let you take a walk through Rhode Island’s history. There is also a 100-mile network of bike paths and nature trails crisscrossing the state, as well as hundreds of acres of forest. If you are more of a beach-goer, you will love the 400 miles of coastline, ranging from jagged cliffs to sunshine-filled beaches.