Gareth Ravencroft is a mage/scholar, who wants to study Dwemer ruins. Of course he needs a house that's convinent to them. A place that he can display his finds. Windhelm and Solitude seem to be the closest to the majority of ruin's, that I have found with other char's. Though I know their are ruins in other places also. Near Markarth, Riften etc. While Breezehome is nice and centeral it's really to small.

I would like everyones thought's on which house would be the best, cause I really only want one. I have time to decide, because he hasn't even gone through the college quests which is the only questline that I plan to take thim through.

I'm not sure if I have to go through part of the main quest to get into Blackreach. Not near ready for that though.

I think Markarth should be your home then! I mean there is a Dwemer Museum AND a readily accessible Dwemer ruin. Plus, you can discuss your research with Calcelmo. LOL The house feels like you are living in a Dwemer Ruin!

You can get into Blackreach, as soon as you are level 15 and found Septimus Signus Outpost. But yea, I usually enter Alftand and Blackreach closer to lvl 30ish though.

First thing that popped into my mind was Markarth, as well. Heck, the city is built on top of a ruin!

Thank you, I have that house with another char and did all the quest's. For some reason though, I had forgotten about the Museum. It does make sense in that reguard. Argis IS a good follower. It IS big enough once you get rid of all the clutter.

You're crazier than Pelagius on Sun's Dawn 2nd if you choose any house other than Markarth!

Some houses like Solitude and Windhelm are pretty far from your beam in point for fast travel. Some (like Proudspire in Solitude) are also pretty dark, if well equipped. Riften is in a pretty area with pretty good support in the area for selling and smithing. Whiterun is centrally located, and is next door to a smith, but lacks an enchanting lab (all the way at the castle) but I'm still there despite the fact that I own all the houses you can buy (you end up buying a lot of houses to be Thane everywhere). If I were a thief I'd live in Riften.

Markarth is not bad. It's not too far from the front gate but not particularly near the smith. In all of them you get a cookiecutter housecarl who all seem to have the same basic skills. As a follower you can count on all of them for total tactical incompetence, getting in your way at any opportunities and running right in front of you when you cast or use a bow or any ranged skill.

If only you could buy an enchanting lab for Breezehome and add a few more chests, armor dummies and weapon racks, it would be ideal really. I mean you really just use it as a place to store all your stuff right?

Markath.

Dwarven architecture, Dwarven ruins nearby, Dwarven expert at the keep, space to store you books, enchanting and alchemy stations, plenty storage, enough space for displaying...id say its perfect for your character!.

I think you both are right, I guess I was just hoping someone could point out really good thing's about the other houses that I hadn't really seen.

This character will only be doing the quest's that relate to Dwemer ruins, getting the house itself (jarls) and college. I'll pick my own sidequest's in caves and such. and explore along the way.

I'm thinking Markarth is the way to go. Thank you!