Few will argue that New York City is driving out artists and creative types with higher costs and exponential population growth. People who wish to spend more time creating and less time worrying about the rent are looking for better opportunities for living - with lower rents, cheaper eats, and more space.

Susan Saulny’s NY Time’s article, “With Detroit in Downturn, Entrepreneurs Look Up” highlights some pretty great small businesses that are picking up in the Detroit Area. Perhaps Detroiters are tired of being viewed as simply the worst-hit city in America. They are instead turning low rents into opportunity. Find creperies, low-cost cinemas and stylist shops with attitude. Torya Blanchard pays a mere $1,600 a month to rent space for her creperie, which, positioned closely to Detroit Institute of the Arts, should eventually gain flipping success.

See kids, the recession can’t be all bad. When everything you’re accustomed to diminishes, there grows  plenty of opportunites for some bright imagination.

For great photos and the article that goes with it - head to the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/us/10startup.html?hp