Maybe you’ve been traveling while working on your next best-selling novel, or have a steady job traveling and writing for an international publication.

Or perhaps you’ve lived the digital nomad life while writing on your own blog.

In any scenario, if you’re thinking it’s time to settle down in one location, you might be wondering about the most peaceful places to live for writers. One thing is true for all kinds of writers and creative digital nomads – location is key to creativity. 

While we’ll be the first to tell you that travel is extraordinarily inspiring for any type of writing, sometimes having a stable headquarters can provide a more grounded, structured environment for professional and amateur writers alike. 

With this in mind, how do you go about choosing a quiet, peaceful place to live that will keep you inspired?

Before you pack up that airport van rental and set off for a new location, check out these tips and destinations that might be ideal for stirring up your creative juices.

Tips and Best Peaceful Places to Live for Writers

What to Know Before You Go

While blindly playing “pin the tail on the donkey” with a world map to determine your future stomping grounds could yield some exciting and unexpected results – we recommend a bit more pragmatic approach. 

First and foremost, it’s a good idea to take a realistic inventory of what you want, what you need, and what you can afford. 

For instance, if your steady gig as a travel writer pays $2000 a month, you’d be hard-pressed to relocate to a New York City brownstone where cost of living is high and average monthly rent is around $4000.

Although your budget should likely be your biggest consideration, you also want to factor in the kind of lifestyle and environment you need to keep you and your muse motivated to write.

If your writing habits respond to a hustle, bustle, and dazzle vibe, you should probably research a metropolis setting or explore cities that might enliven your creativity.

But in this article, we’re talking about places that cater to writers who need peace, quiet and tranquility to crank out five chapters a day, or crush a winning blog post routine.  

Whatever the case, it’s crucial to take stock and get clear about your requirements when deciding on an inspiring place to live and write.

Most Peaceful and Inspiring Destinations for Writers

If you prefer serenity, silence and solitude while working on your creative endeavors, here are a few of the quietest areas that could be a haven for your writing ambitions.

Canada

Canada is vast, and it showcases all manner of breathtaking scenery. It’s also a great place to isolate yourself and tuck into some serious writing. To explain, only 80% of the country is inhabited. 

What’s more, Canada is teeming with bucolic scenes, rugged mountains, three bordering oceans and oodles of unspoiled natural landscapes.

And if you need a bit of shaking up, Toronto (Canada’s largest city) offers incredible action with an electric nightlife, sublime dining, superior shopping, rich history and art museums to stimulate your writing efforts.

Arizona, USA

The Grand Canyon State offers a quintessential Southwestern experience with alien-like rock formations, sprawling deserts, tumbling tumbleweeds and extraordinary wildlife.

Phoenix is the largest city as well as the state’s capital and it’s abuzz with booming businesses, world-class resorts, fine dining and vibrant culture. 

While Phoenix isn’t exactly ideal for peace-seekers, tranquility can be found in remote areas in AZ such as Jerome; formerly a mining town turned into a mecca for creatives, artists and writers. 

Sedona, Arizona is also a magnet for writers who resonate with the stark, stoic scarlet-hued stone formations, stunning clear blue skies, and winsome yet rugged landscapes.

Iceland

The serenity and scenic splendor of Iceland is undeniable.

With mind-boggling natural wonders such as active volcanoes, gushing geysers and the eerily enchanting Northern Lights – Iceland is a treasure trove of pure wonder if you’re a nature-loving, quiet-seeking writer. 

Additionally, Iceland has a 100% literacy rate, so you have plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas with fellow literary enthusiasts. 

As a testimony to Iceland’s tranquil, laid-back energy, murders and violent crime are practically non-existent among the less than 400,000 residents of the island nation.

South Pacific Islands

Herman Melville, Jack London, Somerset Maughm and other famous authors all found inspiration and tranquility in the tropical islands of the South Pacific.

Perhaps it’s the pristine waters, the lovely lagoons, rich cultural history, or the easy-going vibe of island life that lulled these authors into producing literary masterpieces. 

Papua New Guinea is the most populated island boasting almost 9 million people. However, the vast Pacific is home to around 30,000 islands spanning across the Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia regions. 

With this sprawling diversity, jaw-dropping beauty, and plenty of islands to hop for peace and quiet – the South Pacific Islands are a writer’s utopia.

The Last Word on Peaceful Places for Writers to Live

Of course, these are just a handful of tranquil destinations that would satisfy any writer seeking peace and solitude.

There are far more locations that can fit the bill for a low-stress, distraction-free environment that is ideal for writers who need isolation and placidity.

However, these are the top four locales that earn the highest marks for stimulating scenery wrapped in quiet serenity.