7 Affordable Cities to Live as a Young Creative
While cities like New York and San Francisco have long been meccas of art and creativity, the price tag that goes along with living there has become very nearly impossible to sustain. Young artists are struggling more than ever to afford to live in big cities with artistic reputations, but there are many alternatives in the US that provide a wealth of inspiration and artistic communities without the same struggle to pay bills every month. Some of the lesser known cities for young artists include:
Asheville, North Carolina
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina has a modest population of 87,000+ and is the home of the illustrious Biltmore Estate. Asheville is bursting with fine artists, folk artists, galleries, musicians, and performing arts venues. In addition to the Biltmore Estate, Asheville was also the childhood home of famous American novelist Thomas Wolfe and his house can still be seen there.
The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina.
Tacoma, Washington
There was a time when the most notable thing about Tacoma was its soaring crime rate, but in recent years, the city has been cleaned up and turned around. With housing prices in Seattle soaring, many young artists are moving to Tacoma for cheaper rent and a smaller community. Surrounded by Mount Rainier and beautiful views of the Pacific ocean, the natural scenery also lends itself to artistic inspiration. A young creative can most definitely find their niche in Tacoma and still afford to be a homeowner.
Bloomington, Indiana
A blue dot in a sea of red, Bloomington, Indiana is a liberal hub in an otherwise conservative state. Home to the University of Indiana, Bloomington and the prestigious Jacobs School of Music, Bloomington is bursting with young creatives and intellectuals making their mark on the world. In addition to enjoying the thriving creativity, you will also love those low mid-west prices. With the average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in Bloomington being just over $800 a month, you will have considerably less financial stress than you would trying to survive in a huge coastal city.
Bloomington, Indiana
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a beautiful city inside of Los Angeles county. Famous for its Rose Bowl Parades, the brilliant landscape and architecture of the city makes simply walking down the street inspirational. With a population of just 140,881, Pasadena makes a great compromise of an artsy city without the crowds, smog, or expense of Los Angeles.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos, New Mexico is an artist colony in the desert surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Famous for its adobe structures, Taos showcases its rich artistic and cultural history in its many galleries, art festivals, and of course the impressive Taos Pueblo.
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is the home of the prestigious Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa and the only North American city to earn the title of City of Literature by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In addition to these literary merits, Iowa City is also houses many stunning visual artists and artisans whose work can be marveled at in the many galleries and museums in the city.
Boulder, Colorado
Once a popular destination for hippies, Boulder has retained its artsy, unique flare and has many showcase opportunities for artists of all stripes. Beautiful Boulder is also home to the main campus of the University of Colorado and was named by Forbes magazine as the smartest city in America. Health and wellness also plays a large part of Boulder life, with hiking, biking, and healthy eating being a way of life for the majority of residents.
The Flatirons, rock formations near Boulder, Colorado.
