Where would you move to work on (your) music full time?

[Angstrom]

While it's obviously true that only rich people with rich parents live in london, I believe Berlin is one of the cheapest major cities in Europe. It's one of the reasons it's full of artists.

Berlin has its obvious plusses and minuses.

I'm curious about London: How cheaply could one reasonably find a flat big enough for a bed, a yoga mat, and a little studio setup, in a slightly more out of the way place. Shoreditch, Camden, wherever? Anyone here doing that and have any thoughts about that?

I was going to say how expensive London is to rent/buy. But if you are currently living in SF then I'll say that London is cheap !


Many of my SF friends love London's scene, something about its frenetic pace and creative culture appeals to them. It's odd because I find London can be a bit impersonal, and while it's often innovative it tends to be equally dismissive of that same innovative thing about 2 weeks later(!) It certainly has a lot to offer, but it will also take a lot off you.
Oddly many New Yorkers I know say London is too brutal and casually socially violent. Which always struck me as odd when you think of the cliche of 'rude' new yorkers. I actually find NY to be very friendly compared to London.
Admittedly I have quite a small sample set on this, but of people I know - SFers tend to like the London creative scene.

Not many of my friends manage to live centrally , and if they do they are often in expensive shared shoeboxes.But, as long as you are near a tube station it's all good.

Note : Camden and Shoreditch aren't "out of the way". Shoreditch is as hip as fuck these days, and old houses off Brick Lane tend to be owned my millionaire architects with wives who are BBC commissioning editors. It's great if you like hipsters. Shoreditch is a trust fundie hipster mecca.

not hatin' , just sayin'

[Hidden Driveways]

A couple of thoughts...

You're looking to plunge into music completely, but you kind of sound like you want to plunge into "hanging out" completely (bands, djing, filmwork, scenes). I would have a clearer idea about exactly what you want to do. Do one thing and do it well. If you're taking a break from something and moving away to commit to music, have clear goal. Pick one type of work and commit to it fully. Otherwise you'll just move somewhere and turn it into what San Fran represents to you now.

If you're looking to join a band, you're better off moving to a place where a DJ wouldn't be as happy, and vice versa. If you're looking to collaborate with other people, I would say that moving to a big city isn't the way to go. Cities take everything you have just to make rent and eat. Committing time to create music with other people is sort of like taking on a second or third job.

Ultimately, it's not where you are, it's what you're doing and who you're doing it with (and how much time you collectively have to work). I wouldn't let geography dictate the decision. I would put everything you have into finding that key person you're going to collaborate with, and let that define where you go and what you do.

[H20nly]

^ and in addition, if you're looking to switch to Country then Nashville is the place for you.

[merges]

A couple of thoughts...

You're looking to plunge into music completely, but you kind of sound like you want to plunge into "hanging out" completely (bands, djing, filmwork, scenes). I would have a clearer idea about exactly what you want to do. Do one thing and do it well ... I wouldn't let geography dictate the decision. I would put everything you have into finding that key person you're going to collaborate with, and let that define where you go and what you do.

Great points. That's mainly why I was curious to hear from others what compelled them to move, how they decided on a place, etc. For some personal stories of that nature.

Personally I'm still figuring out what I'm going to do. It will take me a little time to determine, but that's fine with me. Essentially, I 'll personally be looking for "fertile ground;" a place that is suitable.

If the thread keeps up, hopefully other people will chime in on what makes various places fertile ground for their music.

[andydes]

I kind of agree with Hidden driveways. Being "amongst it" can be distracting, but can sometimes be a source of inspiration (as long as you're not too out of your mind on class A's to remember what you heard the next day). Also, if you want to play gigs, weigh up the benefits of there being a thriving scene, with living in a town where everyone's a wannabe DJ/producer.

It depends on whether you're looking for a place to concentrate on making your music, a place to showcase your music, be inspired by similar acts, be inspired by completely different things, collaborate with other musicians, etc.

Maybe get a villa in the hills above a secluded cove in ibiza. Make sure it's got a good bbq space and an infinity pool. Can't cost that much, can it?

[Cezband]

While it's obviously true that only rich people with rich parents live in london, I believe Berlin is one of the cheapest major cities in Europe. It's one of the reasons it's full of artists.

Berlin has its obvious plusses and minuses.

I'm curious about London: How cheaply could one reasonably find a flat big enough for a bed, a yoga mat, and a little studio setup, in a slightly more out of the way place. Shoreditch, Camden, wherever? Anyone here doing that and have any thoughts about that?

I was going to say how expensive London is to rent/buy. But if you are currently living in SF then I'll say that London is cheap !


Many of my SF friends love London's scene, something about its frenetic pace and creative culture appeals to them. It's odd because I find London can be a bit impersonal, and while it's often innovative it tends to be equally dismissive of that same innovative thing about 2 weeks later(!) It certainly has a lot to offer, but it will also take a lot off you.
Oddly many New Yorkers I know say London is too brutal and casually socially violent. Which always struck me as odd when you think of the cliche of 'rude' new yorkers. I actually find NY to be very friendly compared to London.
Admittedly I have quite a small sample set on this, but of people I know - SFers tend to like the London creative scene.

Not many of my friends manage to live centrally , and if they do they are often in expensive shared shoeboxes.But, as long as you are near a tube station it's all good.

Note : Camden and Shoreditch aren't "out of the way". Shoreditch is as hip as fuck these days, and old houses off Brick Lane tend to be owned my millionaire architects with wives who are BBC commissioning editors. It's great if you like hipsters. Shoreditch is a trust fundie hipster mecca.

not hatin' , just sayin'

I'm actually moving to London at the end of the month, and quite a large part of that is to get into a more eclectic scene. I'm not a guy of great means, so I've been looking around for a shoebox with a bed, shower, microwave, and just enough space to fit my music stuff. Looks like I'll be hitting £600 pcm minimum, for rent. And these are tiny little rooms. Shared houses look to be a little bit cheaper, but not much - and I'm so utterly sick of sharing houses!

I've heard from many people that London life burns you out, but hey if I spend a year or two there then maybe it'll help me enjoy quieter cities again instead of being bored all the time.

[andydes]

It doesn't have to burn you out. If you can cycle to work on a route that avoids hellish traffic or otherwise avoid peak time on tube that helps. Spend a lot of time in parks in summer. Make sure there's a decent local pub nearby. Try to find somewhere with decent transport links that's not too pricey. Not just tube, as if you want to go out past 12, you need night bus links to popular areas (unless you're prepared to spend on cabs). Hardest past is having mates spread all across town. But you may be able to get in with a group of people who all live close by.

Don't know about getting a place to yourself in a popular area though. That could be pretty pricey. Not had to look into that for a while.

[Machinesworking]

I'm good in Seattle. London would be #1 in terms of places I would like to move to.
Not in terms of music as much as inspiration I would throw Barcelona and Greece for progressive politics, plus Iceland. Berlin for the big industrial/experimental scene there.. Seattle is cheap for a major city though so here I am.

[Styles Bitchly]

Positively without a doubt....the Azores.

[Styles Bitchly]

I would stay here in Bristol... Great scene and I couldn't just leave everything else behind.

Isn't that where Massive Attack and....well heck, pretty much the entire TripHop scene stationed? I always wanted to visit that place.

[senator adam]

Antarctica

[regretfullySaid]

Somewhere around the country outskirts of LA or Vegas, wherever it's between lots of desert and mountains.
Out of the city, but maybe within a 30-60 minute drive...