Best Places To Live In Middle-Earth

Highlights

Middle-earth offers diverse locations ranging from dangerous ruins to idyllic havens like Tom Bombadil's house and Lothlorien.
Iconic places like Moria, Gondor, Rivendell, and The Shire showcase Tolkien's rich world-building and narrative depth.
Despite perilous journeys and menacing threats, Middle-earth is also home to vibrant civilizations and awe-inspiring architecture.

J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has become an indispensable part of the fantasy canon, spawning related texts, movie and TV adaptations, and numerous video games that let players explore Middle-earth at their leisure. Indeed, part of the enduring appeal of Tolkien's work is his detailed and creative world-building, which resulted in such iconic locations as Mordor, Isengard, and Gondor.

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Admittedly, not every part of Middle-earth can be described as a tourist hot-spot; those familiar with the journeys of both Bilbo and Frodo will be aware of the dangers inherent to traveling through Tolkien's world. However, the fantasy realm isn't all doom and gloom, and there are many areas where even the most ardent of adventurers might be tempted to settle down.

6 Moria

The Once-Great Stronghold Of The Dwarves

Discussion of Moria brings several things to mind, including Gandalf's iconic clash with the Balrog during The Fellowship of the Ring, and Free Range Games' less iconic The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria game from 2023. However, the gloomy, ruined city is unlikely to be anyone's number one choice for a home—at least, not during the Third Age depicted in Tolkein's epic trilogy.

Yet Moria was once a bustling and prosperous city, illuminated with crystal lamps and home to impressive architectural structures like Durin's Bridge. Indeed, at the height of its prosperity, Moria was the place to be in Middle-earth, at least for Dwarves. The Mines of Moria, rich in valuable mithril, allowed Moria and its inhabitants to flourish, but the greed of the Dwarves caused them to dig too deep, uncovering dark powers which decimated the once-mighty city.

5 Gondor

A Troubled But Mighty Kingdom

By the time of The Lord of the Rings, the legendary Gondor finds itself besieged by the forces of evil. Centered around the capital city of Minas Tirith, Gondor acts as crucial counterweight to Mordor, ensuring the containment of Sauron's forces. However, despite valiant efforts of the Men who populate the kingdom, their resistance proves insufficient. Gondor is further threatened by the corruption of its leader, Denethor, and continued attacks and sieges.

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While the geopolitical status of Gondor is precarious, the architectural splendor of areas like Minas Tirith cannot be discounted. Indeed, Gondor is home to some of Middle-earth's best civil infrastructure, making life there fairly pleasant during the brief periods of peace.

4 Tom Bombadil's Home

An Oasis In A Chaotic World

Fans of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies may be unfamiliar with the character of Tom Bombadil, as the section of The Fellowship of the Ring in which he features is notably absent from Jackson's adaptation. This is understandable, as Bombadil has only a minor role in Frodo's journey, but it does deprive audiences of a chance to see one of Middle-earth's most idyllic areas. Bombadil lives deep in the Old Forest, enjoying an intense connection with the natural world and a degree of seclusion from the chaos unfolding throughout Middle-earth.

While his house only provides a temporary refuge for Frodo and the other Hobbits, Bombadil's friendly persona and hosting skills make this one of Middle-earth's more desirable residences. For those wishing to find a safe haven from the tumult of the Third Age, Bombadil's house offers the perfect solution.

3 Lothlorien

A Point Of Light In A Dark Region

Few parts of Middle-earth feel as magical as the Elvish realm of Lothlorien, where even time itself seems bizarrely affected by arcane forces. Home to Cereborn, Galadriel, and the Galadhrim, this forested community provides welcome respite to the Fellowship after its harrowing ordeal in the Mines of Moria. However, the strict policies of the Galadhrim nearly prohibit entry to the Fellowship, and tensions are initially high between the Dwarf Gimli and Lothlorien's inhabitants.

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Despite this rocky start, Lothlorien proves to be a paradise for the Fellowship. The generosity and insight of Galadriel prove essential to the ongoing success of Frodo and his friends, and Lothlorien itself leaves a lasting impression on each member of the party. While Lothlorien may be difficult to enter, those who do are bound to be impressed by this timeless, woodland region.

2 Rivendell

The Birthplace Of The Fellowship

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Rivendell serves a vital plot function in Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring, not only providing a safe haven for Frodo and his friends to evade the pursuit of the Ringwraiths, but also serving as the meeting place of the Council of Elrond. Yet beyond its role in the plot of the saga, Rivendell boasts beautiful surroundings and impressive architecture. It's little wonder, then, that the region's buildings have been immortalized in a highly detailed Lego set, as well as by talented gamers.

As a major Elvish settlement in Middle-earth, Rivendell is not only home to such iconic figures as Elrond and Arwen, but is also a place of sanctuary. As such, it is understandable that an aged Bilbo chooses to remain there following the Council of Elrond rather than joining the Fellowship's quest. The heroic Frodo also struggles to leave the serenity of Rivendell behind, even when the fate of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

1 The Shire

A Cosy Home For Reluctant Adventurers

The Shire is, without a doubt, one of Middle-earth's most iconic locations. Home to The Lord of the Rings' most famous Hobbits, namely Bilbo and Frodo, this pastoral region is ideal for those who want some (temporary) respite from the machinations of Sauron and other evildoers. Indeed, from its cosy Hobbit-holes to its bountiful nature, the Shire is not only the starting place for many an epic journey, but also a comforting reprieve for weary travelers.

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Admittedly, many of the Shire's occupants demonstrate the same flaws and failings as humans in the real world. This is perhaps unsurprising, as Tolkien modeled the fantastical region on Worcestershire, a rural region in England, while Peter Jackson turned to the lush landscapes of New Zealand in order to bring the Hobbit paradise to the silver screen. However, despite the presence of some petty neighbors, the Hobbit-holes of the Shire are prime real estate.