Some creatives jones for urban angst. For them, there’s East Oakland. But if your muse is more comfortable under open skies and in an unhurried atmosphere, get to downtown Antioch. But do it quickly, before it’s too expensive. Most people think of Antioch as a smear of sprawl on the way to the Delta. But the urge to suburb left the original town intact and nearly deserted. This area, now called the Rivertown district, is about twenty square blocks along the San Joaquin River. It offers a mix of tiny businesses along with vacant storefronts and industrial buildings. The arts sold here tend to be mainstream and on the sweet side. Think quilts, stained glass, and dragons. While Rivertown is unlikely to financially support a cutting-edge gallery, it’s a commodious place for a studio. Locals say prices are rising, but there are still storefronts available for 65 cents a square foot.
