Is there a place you’ve always wanted to live? A place with beautiful weather, friendly people, and perhaps even a peaceful atmosphere? Maybe you’ve found it. With a few lifestyle changes, you can live the good life in any city. And what’s more, you can call yourself a writer, with a few publications under your belt. Well, not quite yet, but you’re on your way there. All you need is a writing degree.
What happens when you put these two things together? You get people looking at you curiously, perhaps even a little bit enviously. Like many jobs in the creative industry, you will have a fantastic opportunity to work remotely, be flexible with your schedule, and travel the world. All while pursuing your passion for writing. So let’s explore the best cities for a writer.
The Most Attractive Cities For Writers
Let’s start with the most obvious choice: New York City. The city that never sleeps is home to a plethora of opportunities. Whether you’re looking for publishing, film, or music, if you can think of a job that involves writing, New York City is your place. It even has a writing group called the League that you can join to get inspired and to network with other writers. It should come as no surprise that the largest publisher in the world, WIRED Books, is based there. Additionally, numerous short story workshops and writing competitions are held throughout the year, which you can participate in. If you love a vibrant cultural scene and an unmatched opportunity to network, you can’t go wrong with New York City.
Other obvious choices include Los Angeles and London. The Hollywood lifestyle is something that appeals to many people, perhaps even to you. In addition, there is a high demand for creative writing jobs in London, so much so that there’s even an English-taught MFA in Writing. With Hollywood in LA and London, and a thriving publishing industry, you can’t go wrong.
The Most Industrial Cities For Writers
If you’re looking for a more conventional route, perhaps you want to consider a city that’s more focused on industry. For example, you could look at San Francisco, which is known for its beautiful weather and relaxed lifestyle. Unfortunately, while the city has a lot to offer, it also has the highest cost of living in the country. There’s also Sydney, Australia, home to the prestigious Sydney Writers’ Festival. There are also a number of smaller towns and cities in Australia, which are also hotspots for writers. If you’ve always wanted to live in the city but don’t want to sacrifice quality of life, these are some options for you.
Another viable option is Montreal. The city is home to a large variety of cafés and bookstores. In addition, there is the annual Montreal International Jazz Festival, which features some of the best jazz musicians in the world. If you like museums, galleries, and exhibitions, then Montreal is the place for you. There’s also the Shakespeare Theatre Company, which stages plays in English and French every year. If you’ve always wanted to live in a place with a literary scene, Montreal is the place for you. Unfortunately, aside from the fact that the cost of living is quite high, travel to and from work can be difficult due to the mountainous nature of the city. So if you live there, you’ll have to make the most of it. Otherwise, it’s a bit like living in a village with no attractions.
The Least Attractive Cities For Writers
Now let’s explore some alternative choices. For those of you who are more independent, adventurous, or curious, you could move to one of the least attractive cities. For example, you could look at Hong Kong. The city is known for its high skyscrapers and shopping centers. There are also a lot of bugs, so much so that the city is nicknamed the “bug city.” Apart from the creepy crawlies, most of the attractions in Hong Kong are shopping malls and high-rise buildings, giving the city a quite dull and uneventful vibe. There’s also the annual Book Expo America, which is the North American version of the Frankfurt Book Fair. This is the place where you can find out about the latest trends, technologies, and publications. If shopping is your thing, then Hong Kong is where you want to be. But if you’re looking for an adventure-packed city, maybe you want to explore San Francisco. Even though it’s quite a drive to work (about two hours), the city has so much to offer. There’s always something going on. You could join a gym, take a walk, go for a bike ride, catch a game, or visit a museum or gallery. As long as you have a bit of adventure in your life, you’ll feel right at home in the City by the Bay. As an added bonus, many of the attractions are free. So the city is completely cost-free. Well, almost. The ferry ride to and from Hong Kong is something to look forward to. It’s a beautiful view on the water. Unfortunately, most of the population in these cities are work-focused and rather plain, so you’ll have to look for your entertainment elsewhere. San Francisco is quite close to Los Angeles, so you can take a quick day trip and have fun in the sun. In addition, if you love the great British pub, you can get inspiration from it at the Civic Center, which is situated in the heart of San Francisco. The city really does have something for everyone. So there’s bound to be something that appeals to you. Traveling to work in the morning is quite scenic, too. The surrounding area is beautiful and quiet, with plenty of green space and hiking trails. If you get a late start or are just looking for a change of pace, you could always drive to San Francisco in the afternoon and get back to LA before suppertime. Of course, traffic is pretty heavy in both directions, so it’s not going to be a quick trip. Still, it’s a beautiful vista and an hour or two that you’ll never forget. Hopefully, these few paragraphs will have piqued your interest in a new city or town. It might be a great place to live, work, or study. Just remember that wherever you choose, you’re going to have to buck the trend and become a pioneer. Otherwise, you’ll end up struggling with the rest of the world. But if that’s what you want, then that’s what you’ll get. Happy living!