Hi everyone!

I'm about to have some major changes happen in my life, and one of them is getting out into the 'real world'. I'm interested in living somewhere with creative spirits around me. I'm also not a millionaire or anywhere close. Any suggestions? Cities are great especially if they have public transportation. I love the water too, but it doesn't necessarily need to be by the ocean. Please help!!

Thanks,
Coastal

i live in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area here on the Oregon/Washington border. there is a thriving art community here with some great music/writing/painting/photography/theater and the cost of living is relatively low compared to many other markets. yes, it does rain here, but not at mythical proportions, contrary to popular belief. we experience all four seasons and the weather is actually quite nice most of the time. the ocean is an hour away, so are the mountains; the high desert is two hours away. we are surrounded by forests and valleys and rivers and lakes, all butted up against a city that is an eclectic mix of old and new, modern and archaic...something for everyone. i love it here.

Portland keeps popping up in my searches - it sounds like a wonderful city! I've never been there, but I did live in Washington as well as a cou for a short while as a child and I still miss that part of the

Ah it posted and I wasn't done lol

But yeah I will look into it - thanks wordsmithwannabe

I love Phoenix, but unfortunately it is not a thriving artistic center.

fogglethorpe wrote:

I love Phoenix, but unfortunately it is not a thriving artistic center.

H, what about the Sedona area? are you familiar with that part of the state at all? a good friend of mine tells me that Sedona has some great music and film festivals.

I live in the hot and dry now and am ready to leave!!! Not AZ hot, but definitely ready for a different climate!

I guess a lot of the search will depend on the job market and cost of living above all else. I really cant be TOO picky!

oh well that does make a difference! Seattle and San Francisco are cool places here on the West Coast as well; Denver, Boise, and Salt Lake City are all great places with a cooler climate (though they can reach pretty high temps in the summer...). Other than that, i'm fresh out of ideas. good luck with your search! =)

Those are great suggestions too! I probably can't afford San Fran immediately, but I was looking at some of the cities south of it and have heard good things about them too. Too many choices I'm afraid! Thanks for helping me out!

wordsmithwannabe wrote:

H, what about the Sedona area? are you familiar with that part of the state at all? a good friend of mine tells me that Sedona has some great music and film festivals.

Sedona is about two hours north of here. I have been there lots of times.

You are right..there are a lot more cultural events in Sedona than Phoenix. And if you take 89A through the middle of town, there are many art galleries and museums as well as spectacular scenery.

We loved San Diego when we visited, and I wouldn't mind living there i it wasn't so far from everyone I know except for my brother and sister-in-law. I believe the arts flourish there as well and there is the university as well.

Best of Luck with your search, Warmly, Tasha

PS, I spent two weeks in Eugene, loved it, found it to be too damp for me. Everything had moss growing on it!

Fogglethorpe - yeah, no Sedona. Way way too hot and dry! But maybe I'll visit one day thanks for the feedback. It's like Santa Fe. Beautiful, but not to live! (that place is horrid to live unless you're a millionaire!)

Tasha, thanks for recommending San Diego! It's a place I wondered about, but I've never been. Only worry there may be finding an affordable place to live, but that isn't a bad issue to have - it means they're thriving! And oh my to be so close to the beach...I'd live in a shack if I had to! Oregon sounds pretty but it would definitely be different!! Lol I don't mind rain, mold, etc. but my heart really wants to be by the ocean!

Well you could go visit perhaps, take some pictures and bring us back your impressions via a poem or two at least! Could you arrange to do that I wonder? Warmly, Tasha

Tasha,

That is a great idea! I'm wrapping up my BA this summer, but after that I will definitely do that. An inspiring place to live us really a must-have! (if I can find a place that will hire me) Thanks for the suggestion

Coastal

You are welcome, I wish you a fine adventure, Warmly, Tasha