It’s the slow one. Providence is Acela, but the track regulations on speed and stops are so frequent that the Acela is like 20 minutes faster or something relatively insignificant.

I’m near the border of Newport and Middletown and it’s a 30 minute drive to the Kingston train station where you can park for free and hop right on Amtrak. Depending where in Middletown Portsmouth the drive can be a little longer than that, particularly some parts of Portsmouth.

There’s an early 7am train out that I take pretty often, it’s great…until you have to walk through Penn Station haha

Check out Newport Middletown and Portsmouth. Given you said schools are important that probably rules out Newport and would push you more towards Portsmouth.

Also look at barrington.

Train to NYC is easy from any of these towns, Boston driving is easier imo.

Fellow NYC transplant and New England native so happy to talk through our experience.