Real Estate in RI: Seaside waterfront communities are all the rage. Who’s buying – Emilio DiSpirito

By Emilio DiSpirito, License Partner | Private Office Advisor with Engel & Völkers 

There’s something magnetic about Rhode Island’s coastline. Maybe it’s the way the morning sun hits the water, the blend of historic architecture and untouched natural landscapes, or the quiet luxury that defines our communities. Whatever it is, one thing is clear — buyers from across the country and around the world are discovering what locals have known for generations: life is simply better by the water here.

From the secluded charm of Little Compton to the vibrant pulse of Newport, Rhode Island’s coastal real estate market is red-hot — and not just in the summer.

A Lifestyle You Can’t Replicate

As someone who has lived, worked, and built in these communities, I can tell you firsthand — you don’t just buy a home here. You buy a lifestyle. Our waterfront towns aren’t about flash. They’re about substance. They’re about walking to the docks for fresh seafood, biking to the farmer’s market, watching the sunset over the bay with your family, and knowing your neighbors by name.

Whether you’re in Jamestown gazing at the bridge from your porch, catching waves in Narragansett, or hiking the trails of Tiverton with ocean views, this is where New England’s natural beauty meets a deeply-rooted, community-driven way of life.

Who’s Buying Here?

We’re seeing an extraordinary mix of buyers — each drawn by something different, but all looking for a lifestyle upgrade.

• Relocating Professionals: With remote work now a norm, executives from places like Manhattan, Boston, and even Los Angeles are setting up their home base in Portsmouth or Middletown. They’re trading congestion for coastlines and discovering they can do business globally — while living in peace.
  
• High-Net-Worth Buyers: For our international and bi-coastal clientele, towns like Newport and Block Island offer exclusivity without the pretension. The demand for properties with deepwater docks, historic provenance, or panoramic Atlantic views continues to rise.
  
• Young Families and Retirees: Charleston, South Kingstown, and Westerly are drawing in buyers who want safe, family-friendly neighborhoods, top-rated schools, and access to open space — all while being within a few hours of major metro areas.
  
• Creative and Entrepreneurial Types: Artists, writers, boutique hoteliers, and builders alike are purchasing in places like Little Compton and Tiverton where zoning, land, and lifestyle allow them the breathing room to dream and build.
  

Why Now?

In conversations I’ve had with financial advisors, wealth coaches, and private clients, one message keeps coming through loud and clear: wealth isn’t just about money. It’s about time. It’s about quality of life. It’s about where you wake up in the morning and who you’re with when you do.

Rhode Island’s waterfront communities deliver that rare intersection of value, natural beauty, and timeless charm. And in a world that feels increasingly chaotic, the ability to own a piece of that — to watch your children grow up by the sea or to finally write that novel with the ocean outside your window — is priceless.

Final Thoughts

As a lifelong Rhode Islander and someone who’s helped hundreds of clients find their dream homes here, I believe this market isn’t just a trend. It’s a movement. Our coastal towns aren’t trying to be anything other than what they are — real, grounded, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Whether you’re looking to invest, retire, relocate, or reinvent — there’s a shoreline here waiting for you.

Welcome to coastal Rhode Island.

For additional information on Rhode Island emilio.dispirito@evrealestate.com 

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To read more articles in RINewsToday by Emilio, go to: https://rinewstoday.com/emilio-dispirito/

Emilio DiSpirito, Realtor and License Partner, Engel & Völkers East Greenwich and Engel & Völkers Barrington East Bay, 401-359-2338 – Emilio.dispirito@evrealestate.com – Instagram: @EVRhodeIsland – Website: EastGreenwich.EVRealEstate.com

Emilio DiSpirito
License Partner & Real Estate Advisor, Engel & Völkers East Greenwich & Engel & Völkers Barrington East Bay
Recognized as Rhode Island’s top real estate advisor specializing in luxury properties, multifamily units, and investment strategies.
Host of The Wealth Architect Podcast
Follow me on Instagram: @wealtharchitectpodcast
Contact: Emilio.DiSpirito@evrealestate.com | 401-359-2338