I am an artist and have been here for 10 years. The old artsy areas, Station North, Hampden, Patterson, have gotten expensive. Studio spaces are more commercial and through the roof. What is your budget? I am in Charles Village, very walkable to Station North and Hampden, but costs are high. I recommend thinking creatively about studio space. Rent a room where they have a basement or garage you can use, or something like that. The last time I looked for outside space I was pretty shocked by the closets places were calling studios.