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I see similar comments on all of these articles and I am really curious which UK/USA/Canada cities that artists and musicians and the like go to. I'm going to

I see similar comments on all of these articles and I am really curious which UK/USA/Canada cities that artists and musicians and the like go to. I'm going to throw out Nashville as a thought for musicians, and maybe Pittsburgh for tinkerers.

TheOtherHobbes 10y ago
UK artists are heading to Berlin, Paris, Barcelona and Warsaw - at least they were, until Brexit. Now there's some interest in the cheaper seaside towns - Margate, even Bournemouth. Brighton used to be on that list but it's almost as expensive as London now. Likewise Bath and Bristol. (Not seaside towns, but a big arts scene in the 60s and 70s, now very much gentrified.) I suspect if people can't get out they'll head West and North. Parts of the West Country are almost affordable. Parts of the North are very affordable, but they're still in the dilapidation phase and don't seem to be in danger of becoming cool yet.
- monknomo 10y ago
  It's tough to figure what pulls a place out of the dilapidation phase. I've heard people say a microbrewery is a good harbinger. I have this unformed suspicion that a hipstery cheap-fancy restaurant can do it, or the "right" art gallery
  - PieterH 10y ago
    My area of Brussels has been slowly pulling itself out of dilapidation for decades. The signs are e. g. new bars and shops that don't close after six months, and of course the inevitable loftification of older buildings. There is no single event. It takes masses of people to move, invest, and thrive.
- sparklesunshine 10y ago
  Yes you are right about Margate. It's becoming really popular with artists and artisan craftsman. I don't live there but I can see the growth as more people are moving there from London.
s_q_b 10y ago
Nashville, Austin, and Boulder are peaking or have peaked. Tech in Philadelphia is right at the tipping point. To skate to where the puck is going, look to the Rust Belt.

TheOtherHobbes 10y ago

UK artists are heading to Berlin, Paris, Barcelona and Warsaw - at least they were, until Brexit. Now there's some interest in the cheaper seaside towns - Margate, even Bournemouth. Brighton used to be on that list but it's almost as expensive as London now. Likewise Bath and Bristol. (Not seaside towns, but a big arts scene in the 60s and 70s, now very much gentrified.) I suspect if people can't get out they'll head West and North. Parts of the West Country are almost affordable. Parts of the North are very affordable, but they're still in the dilapidation phase and don't seem to be in danger of becoming cool yet.

monknomo 10y ago
It's tough to figure what pulls a place out of the dilapidation phase. I've heard people say a microbrewery is a good harbinger. I have this unformed suspicion that a hipstery cheap-fancy restaurant can do it, or the "right" art gallery
- PieterH 10y ago
  My area of Brussels has been slowly pulling itself out of dilapidation for decades. The signs are e. g. new bars and shops that don't close after six months, and of course the inevitable loftification of older buildings. There is no single event. It takes masses of people to move, invest, and thrive.
sparklesunshine 10y ago
Yes you are right about Margate. It's becoming really popular with artists and artisan craftsman. I don't live there but I can see the growth as more people are moving there from London.

s_q_b 10y ago

Nashville, Austin, and Boulder are peaking or have peaked. Tech in Philadelphia is right at the tipping point. To skate to where the puck is going, look to the Rust Belt.