Moving to the Deep South: The 4 Best Cities for Creatives
There’s a quiet migration happening. Some of the best up-and-coming creative minds are heading South. From novelists to musicians and designers to singers, people are leaving behind high rents, cold cities and burnout. What they’re searching for is space, inspiration and community. Somewhere they have the freedom to nurture ideas and let their work flourish—and they’re finding it in the Deep South. If you’re considering a move, here are four Southern cities where creativity still feels personal and very much alive.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is famously beautiful, with its antebellum architecture and pastel houses framed by gorgeous city parks. As you meander through the gardens, under the dreamy Spanish moss, it’s easy to see how this place feeds a creative soul. If studying is your intention, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a great option for aspiring artists.
If you’re not interested in school, there are plenty of local galleries, film festivals and indie shops to help advance your career or grow your business. Ultimately, Savannah provides the rare mix of big-city amenities and a slower pace of life that many creatives crave. If you’re planning a long-distance move to get a taste of this for yourself, working with a moving company cross country is a smart call. They’ll help you get settled in smoothly, so you can focus on letting your creative juices flow instead of hauling boxes.
New Orleans, Louisiana
There’s nowhere else in the world like New Orleans! This loud, layered and lively city has rightfully earned its reputation as a creative global hub. You might even hear musicians, artists and writers identifying the city itself as a co-creator of their works. There’s no shortage of opportunities for experimentation, collaboration and artistic exploration. This city welcomes imperfections and rewards risk. Art isn’t locked in galleries, it’s in the street, the food and even the way people talk. If you’re a creative who feeds off rhythm and culture, New Orleans is a top pick.
Oxford, Mississippi
If putting pen to paper is how you express yourself creatively, Oxford may be right up your street. This city is, and has always been, for writers. Many past residents of critical acclaim have found inspiration here, from Nobel Prize-winner William Faulkner to best-selling author of legal thrillers John Grisham. The small-town charm, tight-knit creative community and thriving literary scene bring writers here from all over the country. Plus, the area is full of quiet spaces to read, write and walk.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind as a creative capital of the South. However, the fact that it doesn’t get the spotlight is exactly why it’s worth a closer look. The city has been steadily building a creative backbone, with revitalised historic districts like the now-trendy Avondale and Woodlawn filling up with studios, coffee shops and galleries. There’s a growing indie film and arts scene, and a myriad of venues for music lovers catering to a mishmash of genres from bluegrass to experimental jazz. Rent is affordable, too, which helps attract creative young talent.
You don’t need a loft in Brooklyn or a bungalow in LA to make it in the creative world. All you need is an environment with soul, a little space to breathe and a community that supports and challenges you. The Deep South has all of that, and more; you just have to make the first move.
