The secret’s out. If you want to pursue a creative field, one of the biggest things to take into consideration is cost of living so you can chase your passions. And if you need the best bang for your buck in a city that nurtures its creative class, Michigan is a top notch destination. Here, you can afford to be an artist, writer, musician or anything else in the arts field and not have to take a second job just to be able to afford your living and/or work space. Here are 10 cities that provide that balance and are actually really fun places to live and create.
- Flint
Erin/Flickr Flint has certainly seen better days, but the city is still brimming with cultural institutions (pictured here, the Flint Institute of Arts) and creative talent.
- Ann Arbor
Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is your quintessential liberal college town, where intellectuals, artists, chefs, and writers call home.
- Detroit
Maia C/Flickr The state’s largest city, creative types from all over the world have been flocking here for ages to witness a city in both decline and renewal. Pictured here, The Belt, an alleyway in downtown where famed street artist Shepard Fairey recently visited to create a large public art installation.
- East Lansing
Kate Sumblr/Flickr With a steady inflow of young talent coming in and out of Michigan State, this college town is a hotbed for creativity.
- Ferndale
Sean_Marshall/Flickr This city, which sits just north of Eight Mile, nurtures a creative environment, with kitschy boutiques, eateries and the Rust Belt Market, where vendors of all stripes can show of their creations.
- Grand Rapids
k.l.macke/Flickr Here, you’ll find the renowned Art Prize, a reputable dining scene and great access to larger cities like Detroit and Chicago, just a few hours drives, either way.
- Kalamazoo
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr The website smartasset.com named Kalamazoo among the best places for creative people to live in the United States because of its incredible cost of living, saying one does not need a “day job” in order to pursue their artistic passions on the side.
- Traverse City
Joey Lax-Salinas/Flickr This Up North city is known as a culinary destination as well as for the Traverse City Film Festival. Talk about dinner and a movie.
- Ypsilanti
Gray Lensman QX!/Flickr Often considered in the shadow to Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti provides creatives great proximity to A2, but with a more accessible, down-to-earth vibe.
- Hamtramck
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr This small city surrounded by Detroit has long been a mecca for musicians and artists, in part for its affordability, in part for the eclectic variety of nightlife. Pictured here, Mayor Karen Majewski in front of the outdoor installation, Hamtramck Disneyland.
Really gives you something to think about, huh? Some of these places you wouldn’t necessarily call a destination, but maybe that should change. You’ll find some really special spaces in these towns that are nurtured by creative talent that build them.
Erin/Flickr
Flint has certainly seen better days, but the city is still brimming with cultural institutions (pictured here, the Flint Institute of Arts) and creative talent.
Home to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is your quintessential liberal college town, where intellectuals, artists, chefs, and writers call home.
Maia C/Flickr
The state’s largest city, creative types from all over the world have been flocking here for ages to witness a city in both decline and renewal. Pictured here, The Belt, an alleyway in downtown where famed street artist Shepard Fairey recently visited to create a large public art installation.
Kate Sumblr/Flickr
With a steady inflow of young talent coming in and out of Michigan State, this college town is a hotbed for creativity.
Sean_Marshall/Flickr
This city, which sits just north of Eight Mile, nurtures a creative environment, with kitschy boutiques, eateries and the Rust Belt Market, where vendors of all stripes can show of their creations.
k.l.macke/Flickr
Here, you’ll find the renowned Art Prize, a reputable dining scene and great access to larger cities like Detroit and Chicago, just a few hours drives, either way.
Michigan Municipal League/Flickr
The website smartasset.com named Kalamazoo among the best places for creative people to live in the United States because of its incredible cost of living, saying one does not need a “day job” in order to pursue their artistic passions on the side.
Joey Lax-Salinas/Flickr
This Up North city is known as a culinary destination as well as for the Traverse City Film Festival. Talk about dinner and a movie.
Gray Lensman QX!/Flickr
Often considered in the shadow to Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti provides creatives great proximity to A2, but with a more accessible, down-to-earth vibe.
This small city surrounded by Detroit has long been a mecca for musicians and artists, in part for its affordability, in part for the eclectic variety of nightlife. Pictured here, Mayor Karen Majewski in front of the outdoor installation, Hamtramck Disneyland.
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