If you’ve ever had the urge to disappear and leave it all behind this list was made for you. Here are our Top 10 favorite artsy towns to run away to. These towns have thriving art scenes, affordable living and are all based in the United States. Make your wildest bohemian fantasies come true in an adobe bungalow or a New England coastal town. This list has it all.
10. Taos, NM
Taos, NM is a smaller version of Santa Fe and is rich in Spanish and Native culture. This small ski town values its creative and cultural festivals. With more than 82 art galleries and mountain views, Taos, NM is the perfect place to explore different mediums from traditional painting to graffiti.
9. Lockhart, TX
You’ve probably never heard of Lockhart but that’s what makes it one of Texas’ best small artsy towns. Austin is currently experiencing a mass exodus and many residents are making their way to the quiet and quaint town of Lockhart. Just 30 minutes from Austin, Lockhart’s up-and-coming art and music scene make it the perfect place for cheap real estate and new beginnings.
8. Portland, ME
Portland, Maine is known for its cobbled streets and coffee shop culture, Portland is a gorgeous coastal town with New England charm. This city’s tight-knit community appreciates music, art, and dancing. The cost of living is reasonable for a picture-perfect town with ocean views.
Average Cost of a 1 Bedroom Apartment: $1,365
7. Denton, TX
Denton, TX is home to the UNT music school which attracts the most talented musicians from all over the world. These students have helped create a rich and active live music scene where you can see music at any venue, any day of the week. The town square has music in almost every bar and for less than $1,000 a month, Denton is an extremely cost-effective place for musicians looking to get a head start.
Average Cost of a 1 Bedroom Apartment: $850
6. Bisbee, AZ
Bisbee is an old Arizona mining town that borders Mexico. Bisbee is about a 2-hour drive to Tuscon and a 3-hour drive to Phoenix. Bisbee is covered in street art and murals and has a tight-knit artist community that established itself in the early ’90s. Despite being in Arizona, Bisbee is actually a mountain town and has much cooler weather than the rest of Arizona.
5. Hartford, CT
Hartford is known as the resting place between Boston and New York. Hartford is about a 2 hour drive from both cities making It the perfect small artsy town for those who still want big city amenities. With a population of just over 100,000 this city has a thriving theatre and art scene that is high caliber yet still accessible.
Average Cost of a 1 Bedroom Apartment: $1200
4. Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins is an adorable mountain town nestled in Northern Colorado. With a population of 165,000 it’s a city large enough for accommodations but small enough for small-town living. Fort Collins has everything from theatre to galleries. It’s also the home of Colorado State University which boasts plenty of art happenings each year
Average Cost of a 1 Bedroom Apartment: $1,375
3. Delray Beach, FL
Delray Beach is known amongst Floridians as a bustling art town that always has something going on. This city has art galleries, music collectives, theater schools and so much more. The Delray community take great pride in their art scene and have covered the streets with murals and sculptures. With a population of just under 70,000, Delray Beach is the perfect small artsy town for beach lovers.
Average Cost of a 1 Bedroom Apartment: $2,250
2. Athens, GA
Athens, GA has produced many well known musicians and bands including REM, The B-52’s and of Montreal. Due to its proximity to Atlanta and its thriving music industry, Athens makes the perfect breeding ground for up and coming musical talent. Athens is walkable, bustling with people and an exciting creative community to be a part of.
1. New Bedford, MA
Downtown New Bedford, also known as DNB is one of New England’s most vibrant creative communities. The city center hosts art all year. Some of the events include AHA, an art walk that takes place every second Thursday of the month as well as musical performances at the UMass College of Visual and Performing Arts.
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