East Bay vs. West Bay: Which is Better?
We bravely explore the long-standing rivalry to find out which side of Narragansett Bay is better.
Who is healthier?
East Bay
Average life expectancy 80.96 years
Number of yoga studios 31
Miles of bike paths 16.05
Obesity rate 21%
Access to exercise rate 91.1 %
West Bay
Average life expectancy 81.01 years
Number of yoga studios 22
Miles of bike paths 19.93
Obesity rate 24.9%
Access to exercise rate 93.6%
Winner: West Bay, but only because they’ve mastered the paradox of eating more and living longer. Teach us your ways. —C.N.
Source: RI Life Expectancy Project
Who’s got the best clam shack?
Courtesy of Discover Newport.
Blount Clam Shack
How many locations? Two seasonal; Warren and Riverside
How long’s the wait? Just want clam cakes and chowder? Use the express trailer.
Soup for you? Serves white and red clam chowder.
What’s for dessert? Crickets…
Courtesy Go Providence.
Iggy’s Doughboy and Chowder House
How many locations? Two year-round; Oakland Beach and Narragansett.
How long’s the wait? The lenghty line moves quickly.
Soup for you? Famous for red chowder, they also serve white and clear.
What’s for dessert? The multi-zillion-calorie doughboy sundae.
Advantage
How many locations? Iggy’s; the craving lingers after summer fades.
How long’s the wait? Blount for its expedited system.
Soup for you? Blount; primarily a soup company and the region’s largest clam chowder maker.
What’s for dessert? Iggy’s: Bring on the doughboy hangover.
Winner: Iggy’s, West Bay. It’s earned its clam to fame. —J.C.
Who’s has the worst traffic?
Traffic is a beast everywhere (hello Route 10), but when it comes to Route 95 through the West Bay versus Route 195 from East Providence to Seekonk, both stretches are awful. Endless construction, exits that seem to randomly close then reopen, cars weaving in and out. Bottom line, comparing average daily traffic on these two highways is pretty much like driving in it: fraught with frustration.
Sources: Rhode Island DOT. National Governors Association, 1920-2020.
Winner (If you can call it that): East Bay. By a hair. Self-driving cars can’t come soon enough. —S.F.
Sources: Rhode Island DOT. National Governors Association, 1920-2020.
