Mine?

I would have to say Solitude.

My reason is because its just epic and beautiful, with all the luscious plants engulfing the side of the roads in the town.

The way the people socialize in Solitude (not to say they do it better), just the over all atmosphere is to my liking. And the house is epic.

How about you guys? What makes you choose the city you like the best? And why?

Whiterun,everything is close and small unlike cities like Solitude where i get lost and everything looks the same.

I like Whiterun, it's where I started out and everything is simply right there. I also don't know anyother Court Wizards

Edit- ^ Reading your post i though that I double posted!

Markarth or Riften.

Their structure mimics the atmosphere of the 'big city' and really brings to life what people in other holds describe of them.
Solitude, Whiterun, Windhelm- they all feel so tiny, direct or basic compared to Riften or Markarth. That's why I don't like them.

I have to say Whiterun, if for nothing more than I'm comfortable with it. I've talked to everyone there, finished (with one character or another) every quest out of the city and know where everything.

For some reason, in my ~200 hours of playing the game I've never given another city the same sort of attention, I swing by there if there's a quest but I've never "set up shop" so to speak and really cleared it out.

Perhaps I'll do that this time around.

Dawnstar. A peaceful little harbor where you can relax from your adventures. Also, the house where I live (and that I built myself) is in there

Does Aftland count as a city? or are we just listing holds?... I'd count Aftland as a dwavren city and say that it is by far my favriot, never in my ES playing expierience have i ever been so blown away by an area, it was so beautiful and fun to explore.

I prefer Riften and Solitude.
Solitude because I love the architecture and its size.
Riften because I prefer the NPCs there. (Plus the Thieves Guild is always a bonus!)

Solitude, its alot bigger and has more stuff to do

I haven't been in Falkreath that much. I like Morthal well enough, but Dawnstar's my favorite of the small cities. It would be cool if you could settle down there. But I assume this is places where you can find quarters...

I don't like Windhelm, just the atmosphere of the place. Probably because I supported the Empire...

Winterhold provides you with free quarters, once you complete the questline. But it's so small, not even a blacksmith.

And while Markoth is beautiful, it's hard to get around. I keep getting lost there, usually when I have a contract on my head and I'm getting shot at.

Solitude is big, but you can't live there until you've amassed a huge amount of money. Still, the house is really nice.

Whiterun is a fine choice, because it has a nice assortment of businesses, and the house is inexpensive (and close to your fast travel arrival point). And if you're RPing, it has a relatively mild climate. My dark elf character lived there for awhile, before moving to sSolitude after getting married (Breezehome's too small for the flock of children she's planning to have).

And Riften is a bustling city, with a reasonable-priced house (and you can get an Alchemy lab for it, which is nice) and lots of closely-speced businesses. My fighter bought his house there. When he's in Whiterun, he bunks at Jarrveskar.

My third character remains homeless for now. Not sure which city a Khajiit would like best...

Solitude- it's much more upmarket than the others.

My least favourite is Markarth- I find it uglier than Riften.

Riften and Falkreath.

I LOVE the autumn theme of the Rift and the pine forests of Falkreath.

Going to have to go with Riften. There is even a city below the city full of the Thieves' Guild and there are plenty of different buildings. It has it's own dock outside and I love the NPCs there. Even though some hate me for what I've done (beat up the Argonian bartender). And my character kind of haves a good connection with the Black Briar family, so its all good for me. I mean seriously, I love that town!

Markarth because I really like the cliffy, rocky layout with Dwemer architecture.

While I would like to say Solitude, I would have to say it's Falkreath.
Every character I have ends up living in Solitude. Nice, big house with lots of storage, plus a really good city.
But for Falkreath I like the location, the surrounding forests and just the town in general. I really wish there was a house for sale there. Shame I'm on the xbox, could just make or add one of my own there if I was on the pc.

Believe it or not.... Riverwood. It gives me the feel of Falkreath without having to deal with the snot nosed jarl, everything I need except for an enchanter's station.. and a general goods store that is second to none for available gold... (once you fill out the perks that is)


I'd live out on the little island next to the mill if I could. lol.. first person to say mod it gets an arrow in the knee!!

Windhelm's my favourite. Ancient, beautiful, imposing and thoroughly Nord.
Solitude's probably second. I love wandering around Solitude, night and rain especially make it a very beautiful and atmospheric place. I loved how the architecture has many Imperial influences, but remains distinctly Nordic as well.
Riften's third. Small and just the right kind of shabby, but cozy and bustling. Walking the streets and listening to the sounds of the market is a joy.
Whiterun's fourth. It's very picturesque and about as Nord as it gets, but can feel a bit empty and almost basic.
Markarth's last. Still very impressive, but I didn't come to a city in Skyrim to see Dwemer architecture (again). It also doesn't feel lived in; there's no real sign that anyone other than the Dwemer ever lived there. The Reach is gorgeous though.

Of the small towns, Dawnstar's probably my favourite. A cold, distant outpost. A small harbour town. Could've used a wall of some kind, but very nice anyway.