Hearthfire homes

[perylousdemon]

This probably seems kind of silly, but I find myself unable to decide which hold I should build my house in. What are the pros and cons of each location? Is there anything special you get at one location that you don't get at another? Etc, etc... I'd like some input into my investment! Anika isn't made of money, after all.

[Jeancey]

The buildings themselves are all the same, but the exteriors of each has its own special perk. Heljarchen Hall in The Pale has a grain mill, Lakeview Manor in Falkreath has an apiary, and Windstad Manor has a fish hatchery

[SilentPsycho]

I've only tried Windstad Manor and Lakeview Manor so far. Of the two, I find Lakeview Manor to have the better view and is much easier to get to. It's just off the road between Falkreath and Helgen, whereas with Windstad Manor you have to wander through the swamps for a bit.

[BunBun299]

For first one, I'd say Lakeview Manor. It has the most temperate climate to build a home in. The others are in a snow covered mountain, and right next to a swamp.

[Alarra]

I've only built in Heljarchen Hall so far, but a plus to me is that it's reasonably close to the center of the map (it's fairly close to the Loreius farm); that was one of the biggest reasons I had liked Breezehome best before that. As far as bards, Windstad Manor has Sonir (who has the voice of that annoying girl from Dawnstar), Heljarchen Hall has Oriella (who has the same voice as Pantea and Luaffyn), and Lakeview Manor has Llewellyn the Nightingale (who has the same voice as Mikael).

[SilentPsycho]

Llewellyn has a slight glitch in my game. He offers to sing 'Age of Oppression' for me, mentions how I must be a true Stormcloak to request that, then turns round and says "This is for Skyrim's staunch protectors, the Imperials", before singing 'Age of Aggression'. Not exactly the smartest idea, especially when there's a greatsword-wielding Stormcloak Dragonborn right behind you...

Admittedly, he might fix himself once Falkreath is taken over by the Stormcloaks, but I've placed the Civil War on hold in that character until after the Main Quest and Dragonborn Main Quest. Poor Reiva Fireblade, having to resist the urge to kill her own bard...

[jerulsan]

Not sure if this matters to the OP, but Lakeview is the "easiest" to get, meaning there is no minimum level required (or maybe level 9?). Windstad is next "easiest", but you have to complete a quest against a level 14 boss. And Heljarchen requires a quest that isn't even available until level 20+ . . .

Also, Sonir's voice was enough to make me hate Windstad, despite my preference for its exterior layout and fish hatchery . . .

[Medomé]

I've built Lakeview and Heljarchen, and for me at least there's definitely a difference in the frequency of random (annoying) events occurring when you arrive at Lakeview. ~60% of the time there are bandits or wolves harassing my animals and friends, and often even a giant recruiting my chickens for the Skyrim space program. Heljarchen Hall, while much more remote, is IMO a safer site.

[perylousdemon]

I've built Lakeview and Heljarchen, and for me at least there's definitely a difference in the frequency of random (annoying) events occurring when you arrive at Lakeview. ~60% of the time there are bandits or wolves harassing my animals and friends, and often even a giant recruiting my chickens for the Skyrim space program. Heljarchen Hall, while much more remote, is IMO a safer site.

I actually went with Lakeview and had a giant visiting before I was even done building it... But, I'm certain Farkas will be able to handle anything that should arise in my absence.

[snapple]

I've been considering doing the swamp one for the fish hatchery, but every time I get far enough along to get the hatchery, I've already made a ridiculous amount of poisons so I don't end up needing it.