I have to say for me its Falkreath and River wood - unfortunately, theres no house for sale in either. Falkreath is all pine forrests and rain, I love it.

Winddhelm seems to me the worst, its all Caste Wolfenstein and too many straight lines, and difficult to gain a perspective of what the cities 'look' is all about....



Whats your favourites?

Whiterun for convenience, Morthal for atmosphere

I have to agree, it is a very nice setting.
Just added a house mod that is on the lake just north of it, will be staying there for a long time to come.
If only we could actually use those fishing rods.

For me, probably Dawnstar or Winterhold when it's sunny out. Those northern cities can be like the artic when it is night time.

Falkreath is awesome. Beautiful location, and has all services you need in a town. And I think Falkreath Hold is the biggest forgotten jewel of Skyrim. I also like Ivarstead,

Except for all the crime and corruption stuff, the town of Riften with the lake and canol is really lovely. I also like the autumnal forest area around it.

Riverwood is mine. Love that place, it's very relaxing.

Whiterun and Solitude for me! Theres something about Solitude that i cant put my finger on, and Whiterun just reminds me a little of Edoras from Middle Earth!

Riften is definitely my favorite, something really pretty about that run-down and gray place. Don't judge me. I think Riften would be beautiful with a little more color refreshment though. I made it my home and will most likely keep it that way. (even though I was offered the Solitude house, I really love Honeyside)
Solitude comes second, I love wandering around it, climbing the walls to see the beautiful view. Also has the best shops.
Before I came to Dawnstar, I expected something much grander, but I still kept my amazement after visiting it. There's just something charming about it, if it was given a chance to become an actual city, it would be the most amazing thing ever. I wish the smaller holds were bigger. They all have so much potential and beauty that just needs to be improved.

So, to put it short:
1. Riften
2. Solitude
3 Dawnstar

Whiterun for now (haven't visited all the places yet), but as I've always lived IRL near a lake I absolutely love my house in Riften

Helgen, if you haven't visited it yet you should, its a lovely place

Riften and especially the docks area.

Riften, I like the autumny feel it has.

Markarth is a great place for architecture. I love the Escher-esque type layout with many steps and short bridges. I've been there plenty of times and there are still places I haven't seen. That's my kind of city. But Whiterun is cool, especially for the convenience. Having a home so near a forge is a must for me (since I RP a master smith).

<sub>I thought by "settlement" the OP meant places that people live that don't include the major cities/towns.

I don't particularly favor any of them. But if I had to choose, Riverwood is it. Beautiful setting but not completely in the boonies.</sub>

Dawnstar. Air, snow, and sunshine. The sort of place I'd like to live.

Markarth is also nice, but doesn't feel so much like a liveable place as Dawnstar. A good Aztec ruin, maybe, but not a settlement.

For me it's Dawnstar, Rorikstead and Flakreath. I wish you coud buy a house in any medium-sized community or bigger, as well as being able to buy houses far from civilazation through unique quests.

Iverstead and the alchemy shack. I practically live there

It would be winterhold if there was a way in game to be able to invest and rebuild the city. Otherwise it is riften. I wish it was a better "port" town though on a large lake that went off the map. Where do they sail their ships too, that waterfall past ivarstead? seems strange.

Rorikstead, Kynesgrove (for the setting, the Rift is amazing) or Ivarstead take the cake for me.