These are the top 5 reasons why you should move to Block Island, RI
The Best Block Island Moving Company
These are the top 5 reasons why you should move to Block Island, RI
The Town of Block Island has a diverse population with an eclectic blend of unique neighborhoods; each with their own charms.- Block Island is a full-service town with a comprehensive array of top tier services; schools, fire/rescue, public safety, recreation, sports, and infrastructure.
- Block Island has been rated one of the 12 “must see” places on earth making a residency there almost magical.
- Block Island has some of the most scenic vistas and beauty in the state.
- Block Island has one of the lowest crime rates in the country, making living in Block Island a wonderful, peaceful experience.
Moving to Block Island offers you and your family every possible advantage; safety, a full array of professional services, convenience, and stability. These same characteristics are also present when choosing Arpin of RI, the best Block Island moving company. Whether you’re moving locally or long-distance, to start the move process, just call Arpin of RI at 825-6600 to set up a free, no obligation in-home estimate and we’ll take it from there.
The most trusted Block Island mover
History of Block Island
The present-day town of Block Island is a pear-shaped island that lies about 15 miles off the southern coast of RI. Block island is part of an glacial archipelago that parallels the East Coast of the United States from New Jersey to Massachusetts, and includes the islands of Staten Island, Manhattan, Long Island, the Hamptons, Block Island, the Elizabeth Islands, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. The archipelago was formed by the receding ice sheet when the last ice age ended about 10,000 years ago.
Before the arrival of European settlers, Block Island was inhabited by the Niantic people who lived a subsistence lifestyle by hunting deer, catching fish and shellfish, and growing corn and other vegetables. The Niantic People called Block Island, Manisses, or Little Island.
Block Island was first charted in 1524 by Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who was sailing for France. Verrazano named the island Luisa, after Louise of Savoy, the mother of King Francis the first, the patron of his expedition. Verrazzano’s log noted that the island was hilly and covered with trees and seemed to be well populated based on his observation of many camp fires along the coast. Block Island was rediscovered again in 1614 by Dutch explorer Adriaen Block whose name the island still bears.
In the summer of 1636, the Massachusetts Bay colony dispatched an expedition under the command of John Endicott to Block Island to avenge the death of a colonist trader who was killed and dismembered by the Niantic Peoples. When they arrived on Block Island, the expedition burned most of the Niantic’s homes and all of their corn. The casualty reports listed 14 slain Niantic and all of their dogs. Many of the remaining Niantic Peoples fled to the mainland, effectively abandoning the island and ceding it to the colonists.
In 1658, the Massachusetts Bay Colony sold Block Island to a group of 16 men headed up by Endicott. The group of 16 as they were known, partitioned the island between them, but also created areas to share with the remaining Niantic inhabitants. In 1627, the RI general assembly incorporated Block Island and renamed the island New Shoreham, after the English town of Shoreham. Today, although the “official” name of the island is New Shoreham , locals only use that name to refer to the main downtown district of old harbor, Block Island is the only name that is used..
Today, Block Island is a popular summer tourist destination known for its bicycling, hiking, sailing, fishing, and beaches. It is home to two historic lighthouses Block Island North Light, on the northern tip of the island, and Block Island Southeast Light, on the southeastern coast. Since about 40 percent of the island is set aside for conservation, Block Island retains an unaltered charm that is almost impossible to replicate anywhere in the US.
Home and population data for Block Island
The Town of Block Island’s dimensions are approximately 2 ½ miles East to West and about 4 miles North to South. Block Island has an area of about 10 square miles. In the 2020 census, Block Island had a population of about 1,450 citizens in winter and up to 20,000 in summer. The racial makeup of full time Block Islanders in 2020 was 98% non-Hispanic white, 1% Hispanic, and 1% from other races.
The median home price in Block Island is $1,700,500, which is significantly higher than the median price of $465,000 for the entire state of RI. (Prices as of October 2023.)
About 23% of Block Island homes were built before 1940. 16% were built between 1940 and 1969, 47% were constructed between 1970 and 2000, and 14% were constructed after 2001.
The median household income of full-time residents of Block Island is $73,720, which is just slightly more affluent than the median income for the rest of the state which was $73,305 as of September 2023. However, it is impossible to calculate the true median wealth of the summer population, but estimates are that the summer median income exceeds the winter by a factor of 10 or more. With its cozy size, location, and impressive home values, it is clear why Block Island is one of the most sought-after destinations to move. That’s why you should choose the most trusted Block Island mover for over 123 years; Arpin of RI.
Arpin of RI offers many different options for packing and preparing your items for your move depending on how much you’re physically able to participate. We can pack a lot, very little, or we can blend our resources together to make sure every fragile item is handled in a way that delivers a safe move and a great value.
The logistics of moving to or from an island are substantial. Since ferry availability will fluctuate significantly from summer to winter, island moving expertise is essential to ensure a smooth move. Arpin of RI has moved thousands of families to or from Block Island, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard, so we have the experience and expertise to ensure your island move will occur flawlessly.
Moving Services
The most affordable Block Island moving company How does the Block Island move process work?
The first step in a successful move to Block Island is a thorough, accurate estimate of all of the services that may be required for your move. Our experienced salesperson will come to your residence to meet with you, listen to your needs and requests, and personally view the contents of your household. Once the salesperson understands what is needed and requested, they will provide you with a written quote that lists all of the potential charges. Our pricing process is totally transparent; you can pick the services you need a la carte. If you prefer to pack some or all of your items in boxes, we offer “gently used” cartons free of charge. Jut stop by our warehouse in West Warwick to pick them up anytime Monday to Friday 8 am to 4 pm.
How much does it cost to move to Block Island?
Arpin offers Block Island customers value and safety while other movers offer low price and high risk. Our pricing is based on an hourly charge for the crew and truck that is regulated by the RI Public Utilities Commission. While our hourly rates are competitive, we feel that our crews are faster and more effective than the competition because they are better trained and more experienced. The speed and effectiveness of our movers gives you lower overall costs and a better overall value in the end.
Arpin of RI offers our Block Island customers the most diverse set of moving services in the state; packing, long distance moving, local moving, commercial moving, and many different storage options. To find out more visit arpinri.com.
Tips to avoid moving scams
Since most shopping for moving services occurs online, customers may be easily duped and defrauded by rogue movers by slick web sites. Here are some guidelines to help avoid being defrauded.
- Buy local in the 401. Always insist on an in-person visit by a salesperson rather than an over the phone or virtual estimate. It is very easy for an unscrupulous rogue mover to pretend they are local movers over the phone when they may be hundreds or thousands of miles away. Arpin of RI has been located in RI since 1900 and has served the people of RI for generations. Arpin will always make an in-person sales visit to your residence to ensure an accurate weight or time quote and to identify access issues before they become problems.
- Don’t give a deposit. If you’re asked for a deposit to make a reservation for your Block Island move by an online mover, assume they are scamming you. Arpin of RI never requires a deposit to hold the date for your move. If the online mover assumes you have so little integrity that they must get half of the monies up front, you have chosen the wrong movers.
- Are they an independent mover with their own trucks or are the just a broker. Many rogue movers are just move brokers and have no trucks to actually handle your belongings. Typically, they farm out your move to another mover who has little or no accountability for service failures or damage. Arpin of RI has a fleet of trucks and will handle your Block Island move in-house, or with one of their partner agencies. They are fully licensed and insured to move shipments across town or across the country.
- Know where your items are being stored. Many rogue movers pretend that they have warehousing facilities and will store your goods wherever they can get the cheapest rate. Take time to actually visit the storage facility to ensure that your items are well protected from damage, pilferage, or contamination. Arpin of RI has a massive warehouse located in West Warwick that is always available for inspection to ensure you have peace of mind when you turn over the possession of your household items to us.