10 Great Towns for Working Artists
10. Oil City, PennsylvaniaRead this excellent article by Kim Hall to discover the other nine cities here.
What makes it special: The birthplace of the oil industry and former headquarters of Standard Oil, Quaker State and Pennzoil, this northwestern Pennsylvania town is reinventing itself into a lively, committed arts community. With affordable Victorian homes and mixed-use properties (many under $50,000), theater, music, a branch campus of Clarion University, easy accessibility to art markets from Cleveland to Buffalo, and dozens of artists who have already claimed this small town as home, Oil City is one of the best deals on the market.
What it offers: 100 percent fixed-rate financing up to $150,000 on live-work space (when using First National Bank). This includes rehab costs, and mortgage insurance is waived. $7,500 toward down payment and closing costs on a residence through Venango County Affordable Housing (income guidelines apply). Plus there are opportunities for facade grants and loans, tax abatements for commercial properties and tax breaks for certain properties in the Historic District. Downtown studio space is available at $0.49 per square foot, with the first three months rent free.
1 comment:
I'm from Oil City (!) and I'm willing to bet Kim Hall has never stepped foot into Venango County. While I give Ms. Wheeler props for spin, I think the perks are best suited for "Sunday Painters." Owning one of the many Victorian homes may be romantic, but they are also a money pit. Don't expect foot traffic or any local sales, and I can't imagine the artistic hubs (or, "art markets") of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo will suit you much better (2.5 hours driving). Negativity aside, it is beautiful country and I visit the family annually...
Post a Comment