Soho’s place within the sphere of London’s social and creative influence has long marked it as one of the most influential areas of the city. It’s a place many love visiting to explore the culture, the museums, the shopping, and the nightlife. Soho acts as a microcosm of what makes London such a vibrant city, and as such, it’s always been a hotspot for artists.
Much of what an artist does or channels reflects where they live. For anybody who lives on the cutting edge of contemporary expression, putting down roots in a place like Soho can be a dream come true. Dreams are not always easy to achieve, however, so how can you accomplish this desire, and more importantly, how can you balance this move with your creative process?
Managing the Cost
Soho is one of the most desirable places to live in London, and with this high demand comes higher costs. Westminster, in general, is among the most expensive places to live in London, and this can reach into Soho. Not every area in Soho shares high purchase or rental prices, but if you’re looking to find a home in a prime location, it is something to keep in mind.
You have a few options here to mitigate this challenge as an artist. The first is to be open to shared or more budget experiences. Living alone in Soho, like living anywhere alone in London, can be costly, so it can be easier to split this cost with flatmates. Staying with friends can be better than rolling the dice on flatting with strangers, but this might not always be an option.
Another possible route is to sell your existing property and use that to support your budget in buying a property within Soho. Though selling the traditional way can be slow, modern cash house buyers can streamline the process with guaranteed sales on any property and free cash offers within minutes. Modern methods like these can generate funds within seven days, so you can capitalise on any new opportunities that require fast-paced action.
Balancing the Glamour
Outside of finding accommodation and then moving to Soho, the other main challenge artists will have to face is whether this kind of immersion is truly conducive to their creative experience. The idea of staying in Soho to absorb the culture can be romantic and endlessly appealing, but is it really right for you? Sometimes we get lost in the drive without considering the real-world challenges, and these can’t be overlooked.
If you’re the type who loves exploring and getting lost in the culture, then the appeal of a place like Soho can be overwhelming. Are you going to want to express your art if you’re too driven to spend time at Soho clubs? Could you eventually become desensitized to the overabundance of Soho, destroying the outsider foundation that makes many artists great?
These might not be issues for some artists at all, and many could thrive spending the rest of their days in a place like Soho. Others could find the area an ill fit for their artistic needs, where Soho might better serve as an occasional source of inspiration instead of a constant site of sensory overload. No two artists are the same, and knowing where you’ll stand before making a move like this can be difficult.
Setting a Timetable
No matter where you stand, Soho offers opportunities as long as you have the right approach to productive living. You could spend every day out and about as an artist, but it could be better to take days off to recharge, relax in nature, and enjoy the contrast that only a shift in perspective can deliver. Going too far in any direction as an artist is a recipe for burnout, so some balance is key.
If you do choose to make the move, timetables, and discipline can be the best recipe for long-term success. You’ll still have to balance work days and creative times, as always, but you also might benefit from taking a more measured approach to hitting the town. Commit to a trial run before moving if possible, and remember that finding your right approach might require experience before you find the perfect fit.
