A Good Place to Live...

[sculptorsam]

Here's your chance to brag about where you live, complain about its shortcomings, and perhaps influence my moving decision.

I'm currently living in Mid-Minnesota (where I grew up) but am looking to move somewhere more towards the NorthEast at some point in the future. Partly for practical reasons, partly for reasons of culture. First, I am driving out there more and more installing my outdoor sculptures which can be quite the trek. Secondly, my wife and I crave a more cosmopolitan atmosphere than what we can get here. We lived in Austin, TX for a couple years which I really loved but it is a little too remote for my tastes (not to mention the scorching summers).

Basically, we're looking for a place with a good arts scene (all arts), good libraries/schools, liberal atmosphere, reasonable cost of living, a decent climate and all this in a mid-sized city. I know it sounds like I'm asking for Eden, but any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Sam

[mjaquis]

how about providence, ri.
its in between boston and nyc, has very inexpensive housing and studio spaces, colleges/universities include risd, brown and johnson and wales (good restaurants).
if i was to ever move back to new england, that's where i'd go.

[anne (bxl)]

Reading your description of the ideal place, I just realise I live in Eden.....
Good luck in your search!

[sculptorsam]

I have been to Providence a couple times and enjoyed it, other than nearly being run over trying to cross the street. People tended to treat stop signs as a mere suggestion. The atmosphere was nice, very good restraunts and some old-style charm. That is a real possibility.

We're not limited to New England, anywhere from Pittsburgh to Maine and down to Virginia is fine. We had thought of Harrisburg, PA but don't know much about it.

Maybe we should just move to Europe? If I was a painter, its possible I'd already be there.

Thanks, keep 'em coming!

Sam

[chaz-abstracts]

Hello Sam,
I live in the mountains in Conn. which they call the Berkshires
beautiful but the state sucks Taxes /Taxes I get out of here in
winter and go to Grenada,West Indies but I love the area around
us. Mass./New York State just around the corner Hudson Valley
is loaded with Artist if I were to move and belive me I'm thinking
about it,it would be in that area along the Hudson River which
makes you accessible to New York City / Boston and major Towns
and cities in between alot of competion in the arts,but hell you got to love competion it only makes us better.We have friends from all over the world and our door is always open its a
free Bed & Breakfast so if you want to check it out just write.
Best of Luck,
Trine & Charlie

[sculptorsam]

Thanks for the offer, Trine & Charlie!

[ironman]

Hi, Check out Silver City New Mexico. when I moved here 10 years ago it had 5 galleries,it now has 20. WNMU is here also. There aren't many job opportunities but it's fairly inexpensive to live here. The four seasons are gentle, not much snow or rain for that matter and at 6000 ft. we're not as hot as surrounding areas that are lower in altitude. We're 3 hours from Tucson and El paso and 5 from Santa Fe. We even have a wine bar and a gelato shop. Not bad for a cowboy town of 12,000 people.

[jsimms]

Jackson Hole, WY, ( pop 10,000) is a great place with 55 galleries(99% western realism), $20 mil art center almost finished, excellent restaurants, great library, great skiing, great fishing, climbing, boating, hiking, wonderful music and culture!! I have a 2000 sq ft studio with 24' ceilings. Another 8,000 ft available!

BUT...........;
Dick Cheney calls it home
Lots of filthy-rich republicans (no state income tax)
Very high property costs
Highest per-capita income county in the country
The republicans gerrymandered the resident democrats into another county

Although..........;
There are a lot of us regular folks who were here before it became "the place to be"
Lots of money spent on feel-good art, as long as its not abstract or controversial
j

[kestonh]

Need I mention WNC? Aside from the beautiful natural surroundings, we have got a ton of galleries popping up down here. Your within striking distance of the megalopolis of Atlanta , which moves closer to WNC every day ;). your also within a day's drive of all of the east coast and the eastern midwest.

and did I mention the natural beauty?...

[sculptor]

WNC?

Anyone know anything of Greensboro N. C.?

rod

[antkar]

How about Buffalo, NY? Lots of art galleries, museums, theatres, music scene is wonderful. Cost of living is pretty low compared to other parts of the country. It's only 2 hrs. to Toronto, Canada, 8 hrs. to NYC. The seasons are nice, and don't believe that all we have is snow. It really isn't as much as people make it out to be.

[kestonh]

WNC?

Anyone know anything of Greensboro N. C.?

rod

Greensboro is supposed to have a decent sculpture scene- they do an outdoor sculpture celebration every year. It's pretty much an hour or so to Winston-Salem, Chapel Hill ,and Charlotte.

Every time i've been through there, it just feels like I'm in Central Jersey.