From tree cities to sun-splashed, Staryu-strewn beaches and mushroom-illuminated haunted forests, the civilizational hot spots in the world of Pokemon are just as diverse, colorful, and sometimes downright weird as the collectible creatures themselves roaming the grassy fields and dark caves between. Capturing 1,000ish total Pokemon is a young person's game, and there are plenty of retired master trainers looking to set down their cap and backpack to tackle an even more elusive collectible: real estate.
But which of all the cities and towns in the world of Pokemon should a champion trainer put down their hard-earned tournament winnings? Game Freak has drawn from some of the most beautiful real-life locations to feature in their monster-battlers over the years, but which location boasts the best venues for entertainment, the most idyllic vistas, shopping or services (for humans as well as Pokemon), and transportation? A world of mortgages and down payments awaits.
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6 Saffron City
Kanto - Red, Yellow, & Blue, and Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee!
- A great central location in Kanto and easy transport links to Johto
- Home to a diverse range of groups, including the Pokemon fan club and a fighting dojo
There are plenty of excellent cities and towns in the Kanto region, almost too many to choose from. Thankfully, one location is central to them all: Saffron City, modeled after real-life Tokyo. While it may not have a scenic tower like Lavender or a vibrant culture like the charming harbor as Vermilion does, it is located directly between them. From the bustling Celadon City, just west of Saffron, Fuchsia's secluded beach and Safari zone are an easy downhill bike ride away (although coming back up may be a bit of a slog).
While Saffron, last seen in Pokemon Let's Go!, isn't the most exotic place in the world, it arguably has the best interregional connections, as it is also home to the mag-train and Sylph Co. As well as being a short jaunt away from Kanto's entertainment and shopping hub, it features a fighting dojo for fitness fanatics and hosts the official Pokemon Fan Club (for anyone who just can't get enough of Pokemon in the Pokemon-obsessed world). Saffron is worthy of consideration for those who love the big city scene and enjoy variety.
5 Postwick
Galar - Sword & Shield
- Cozy, mild-weathered, and utterly picturesque
- A nice, quiet place to settle down, have peace, or gain inspiration
There are many other towns and cities in Pokemon Sword & Shield worthy of consideration, at least for anyone with enough money to buy themselves a bicycle (without having to take out a multi-generational bank loan). For example, the majestic but, as some fans may opine, somewhat-overrated, capital, Wyndon, may spring to mind. However, if that Pokemon city is anything like its real-life counterpart, London, then the prices around this area are sure to be as explosive as an angry Voltorb.
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Consider the pleasant pastoral place of rural Postwick, with its windmills, dry stone walls, thatched houses, and fresh air instead. Enjoy springtime walks across the hills and valleys with herds of Wooloo cuddling their lambs, serene summer picnics, and cozy winters by the crackling hearth. The peace of the place may even spark the inspiration for great art or a novel, as the English countryside did for J.R.R Tolkien when he wrote The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
4 Goldenrod
Johto - Gold, Silver & Crystal
Pokémon Heart Gold
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Released
- March 14, 2010
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Right near several important spots, such as the daycare center and the beach.
- Home to a plethora of food vendors, grooming services, and entertainment complexes
A bustling, cycle-friendly metropolis right next to the beach with plenty of amenities within arm's reach. The department store offers a selection of standard goods at an affordable price; the quirky Underground Path adds a dash of local flavor with its selection of food stalls, services, and quirky vendors. The famous Radio Tower (which looks its best in HeartGold & SoulSilver) stands as an iconic landmark.
Of course, the mag train stands ready to whisk any residents or travelers to their destination in Kanto in no time at all. A daycare center is also located a little south of the city, so trainers can take a trip to the coast and enjoy the secluded beach area to the southwest without having to worry too much about their youngest 'Mons. While less central and a little more plain than other big cities, Goldenrod offers the perfect balance of urban space, accessibility to nature, and a reasonable cost of living.
3 Humilau City
Unova - Black & White 2
Pokemon White 2
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
- Released
- October 7, 2012
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Crystal-clear beaches and the slow life of fishing and surfing await
- Connected to the mainland by a magnificent marine tube
Anyone who loves beachfront property but wants to avoid tourist traps should absolutely check out Humilau City. Crystal blue waves and wooden walkways over shimmering white sand make up half of this secluded island city. The residential and commercial areas are separated by land and shallow waters. Residents typically spend their days drifting in the ocean and fishing in their boats.
The beaches are as spectacular as they are spacious. Although island life may seem ideal, the disconnection from the mainland can put many potential residents off. Thankfully, a newly constructed underwater tube (built sometime before the events of Black & White 2) connects Humilau to a nearby vacation hot spot, Undella Town, and provides amazing views of marine life thanks to its ten-inch reinforced glass paneling, and a way to get to shore without waiting on a boat. Plus, the Marine Tube is cycling-friendly.
2 Castelia
Unova - Black & White
- One of the most happening places in the Pokemon world
- A large harbor city with action found on every corner
With bewildering skyscrapers, bustling pedestrians, and a hustling seafront, Castelia is the place to be for big-city lovers. It may not have the same showy entertainment complexes as its neighbor to the north, Nimbasa. However, just like New York, its real-life counterpart, Castelia does draw the greatest talent in the world, notably painters, musicians, and game designers (Game Freak's Unova HQ is located on Castelia Street), who are all drawn in by the pulsing, vibrant energy of the harbor metropolis.
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Castelia isn't just about high art. Street culture practically bursts from every corner, from its iconic skyscrapers to its interesting (if inadvisable to visit) back alleys. While there is an absence of hot dog stands, there is a legendarily popular ice cream place on Mode Street called "Casteliacone" that sells an ailment-eliminating whip, which tourists worldwide flock to just to get a taste (the owner swears they are 100% Pokemon or Vanillish-free). For those who can afford a place there (to buy or rent), the convenience, culture, and clout make Castelia one of the greatest livable cities in the world.
1 Lumiose
Kalos - X & Y
- Beautiful and iconic architecture, high style, and ergonomic convenience, all in one place
- Central to the entire region and famous for its artists and restaurants
The perfect balance of big urban chic and natural, ergonomic design, Lumiose was modeled on real-life Paris, and for its residents, the city is more than a home. The city's magnificent architecture imbues its residents with an infectious kind of inspiration that can be felt nowhere else. To live in Lumiose is to embrace a certain mode of life, as artistry drips from its every facet, from its charming cafes to its countless galleries and unmatched restaurants and eateries.
Lumiose is the very heart of Kalos, and at the heart of the city stands the Prism Tower, the figurative and literal home of light, thanks to its occupation of sparking electric-type Pokemon and trainers. Being at the very center of the region, access to any of the other towns and cities in X & Y is a breeze, but transportation from inside the city's borders is the GOAT, as tourists and residents alike can enjoy the speedy transit of Gogoat-powered shuttles to go north or south.
