Ten Idyllic Fictional Towns You Wish You Could Move To

There’s something magical about fictional places in stories, whether they be in a movie, TV Show or in a good book. You enter a world that takes you to a land, a city or even a town where life is just a little bit different than the place you happen to live. In essence, then, these fantasy worlds become a nice escape from our own lives. From Narnia to Neverland, Oz, Rivendell, Cloud City, Eerie Indiana, or even Gotham, there are plenty of great imagined places to go around. However, for this particular list I decided to focus only on fictional towns I would personally want to live.

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While there are many great fictional towns out there, they aren’t always quite the idyllic place to be (and therefore are not on this list). Storybrooke may be cool because it means our favorite fictional characters are real, but in reality, everyone is cursed and you might just get killed by having an evil queen rip your heart out. And while I admit to loving Sunnydale as much as the next person, in real life I don’t think I’d want to live on top of a Hellmouth with murderous vampires and other psychotic supernatural creatures. Or how about Mystic Falls where the chance of survival is basically 50/50? (And worse odds if you happen to be a parent.) Then there’s Neptune without a middle class and a class warfare going on or even Cabot Cove where basically everyone is murdered or is a murderer. Yeah…no thanks! I enjoy watching these fictional places, but I wouldn’t want to be there.

So for my list, I decided to go with towns that have that “fantasy” factor to it (without necessarily being fantasy based). These places are ideal without being quite real to what most of us know in our everyday life. Perhaps the town represents simpler times where kids played outside and weren’t hung up on cell phones and Twitter; perhaps the town feels safe with low criminal activity and you don’t feel like you have to lock your doors. Or perhaps the town is so unique that it becomes idyllic simply for being original. Often these idyllic locations have tight knit communities and fun town gatherings with characters you wish you could know in your own life. Now don’t get me wrong, no place is perfect, every place has its faults. But these towns are about as close to perfect as I can think.

So without further ado, check out the ten idyllic fictional towns you wish you could move to:

#10 Hobbiton

This quaint little village in the Shire from Lord of the Rings has beautiful scenery, a friendly atmosphere and lots of great food. Unfortunately, to avoid the war you’d have to move to the movie version of Hobbiton where it is left untouched.

#9 Eureka

With the world’s greatest minds all living in the same town, you know there’d never be a dull moment. Plus, the Sheriff is kind of fun.

#8 Mayberry

From The Andy Griffith Show. This town represents a simpler time now long gone where there is little to no crime. It’d be nice to not have to worry about locking your door.

#7 Everwood

This charming fictional Colorado town is the ideal location with strong family values, good healthcare, and nice skiing locations.

#6 Capeside

From Dawson’s Creek. Who knew the ’90s would have become such an idyllic time to look back on? 1990’s Capeside represents the last generation to grow up in simpler times before the onslaught of cell phones and the Internet. In this fictional Massachusetts town (which is oddly warmer looking than actual towns in Massachusetts), there’s typical teenage drama, boating, and even a haunted island. Not to mention you can always just row over to your best friend’s house in the middle of the night if you need to talk.

#5 Lark Rise AND Candleford

These fictional towns represent changing times at the turn of the 20th century just as technology was being introduced. Personally, I’d choose to live on the wealthier side of town in Candleford, but both have a picturesque, charming quality to them that can no longer be found in modern day. Your mail is hand delivered and the villagers all make sure to look out for each other when times get tough.

#4 Hogsmeade

This picturesque village from Harry Potter looks like it came directly from a postcard. With cute shops, beautiful scenic views and actual real magic, this place is the ideal place to live.

#3 Bluebell

From Hart of Dixie. This romanticized version of Alabama seems like the perfect place to live. There are fun town gatherings, the Mayor just might be your best friend and the biggest problems the townsfolk seem to face is whether or not they’re single. Doesn’t sound that bad to me.

#2 Stars Hollow

From Gilmore Girls. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to live here? Everyone knows everyone here (and mostly in a good way). Also, in this small town, there’s quite a lot to do. There’s Luke’s, a dance studio, a hotel, schools, downtown shops, restaurants, a movie theater and more. Best of all, the people from Stars Hollow talk fast like they’re in a 1930’s talkie. Not to mention town meetings are free entertainment. The colorful town with all the quirky people living there and middle-class setup make it the perfect choice.

#1 Avonlea

Avonlea from Anne of Green Gables & Road to Avonlea. L.M. Montgomery based Avonlea on the real town she grew up in, Cavendish, Prince Edward Island. Many of the places are in fact real. But Avonlea is a fictionalized version of the truth and that’s the place I want to move to. There’s something magical and comforting about the town of Avonlea. With the red roads, cliffs, and shining waters there’s no place more beautiful. This town represents a time long past where using your imagination was the key to happiness. Who wouldn’t want to move to Avonlea?

What fictional town do you wish you could move to? Did I leave any of your favorites off the list? Let me know in the comments!

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