I don’t live in PVD (zone 8) but I’ve been a daily commuter to BOS as someone who lives closer to PVD than BOS. I’ve relied on the MBTA throughout college and now for work. It’s definitely doable, but like many have said here, it’ll take some advance planning, trial and error, and time to get used to.

One of the perks of using the commuter rail is that you can be more productive since your attention isn’t on the road. You can do work, relax, read, etc.

Subscribe to get text/email alerts directly from the T, and specifically for the trains you’ll be taking everyday, so you can get updates in case of delays or canceled trains. Have a back-up plan (drive yourself/Uber/WFH), because delays WILL happen.

Also having an employer who is aware of your commuting routine is good because they’ll be more sympathetic when your train is running late. Plus, a delayed train is easily verifiable because they’re posted, so your employer can trust you when you say you’re late due to train delays. But this also means you’ll be at the mercy of the train schedule. Their delays means your delays, and it feels unfair but that’s the trade off you make when you depend on an external system to get you to work on time.

I also recommend Minh Hai. Best Vietnamese food in Rhode Island.

Rhode Island, Long Island, tomayto, tomahto

Ohhh I see. Thanks for the follow-up!

Anyone know why they decided to close? This place was really popular.

dat mouse eatin’ good

Last time I checked, Uber was not available in PVD. Just Lyft.

I also haven’t used a ridesharing app in over a year, so maybe service has changed since.

I buy blueberries and blackberries from Stop & Shop all the time, and more often than not, I am able to spot a few moldy fruits buried at the bottom of the plastic container. This is why I always inspect the containers from all angles. If there is visual evidence of mold, then I will avoid all adjacent containers or that type of fruit altogether. In a way, their inconsistent quality has pushed me to explore new types of fruits I wouldn’t have otherwise tried.

One time, a bag of almonds (Stop & Shop brand) I bought had evidence of some type of bug infestation. The almonds had unusual holes (as if something bored into it). Cracking it open, I found fluffy, cobweb-like substances inside. Threw out the entire bag, and now I will only buy their almonds if they are stored in see-through containers, so I can do a careful inspection before purchasing.

I also stopped buying their store-brand chicken. Had to throw out an entire tray of chicken breast one time because it was rancid. For a poor student, discarding an entire tray of chicken breast is a huge blow to not only my wallet but also to my nutrition and overall morale that week.