Which city should I visit next ? ...... You Decide

[Black Album]

Hi All

This is my first playthrough and I'm deliberately slowplaying. I'm level 32 and have 230+ of game time so far.
And yet I have only visited Riverside, Whiterun, Falkreath and Ivarstead. I've got my Breezehome, my house near Falkreath, my Hunters Cabin outside Riverside and the Jarl of Ivarstead mod ... and I've been perfectly happy to just wander around this area learning the game ... savouring it all.

But now the explorer in me has decided to see the world, meet new people and have an adventure or two. I may even meet one of those women my mother has told me to avoid.

Now, having only heard rumours about the perils of life in the big city, I'd like some advice on where I should visit first from you experienced adventurers.
When I reach my new base I'll plan to settle down for a few weeks (real time) and relax/explore at my own pace. Maybe a few evenings singing songs in the tavern or helping the local populus find all the items they're constantly losing and haven't got the gumption to retrieve themselves.

I first thought of Riften but I'm slightly scared of all those nasty thieves I've heard that reside in those parts. I've always had a song in my heart so maybe the Bards guild is for me but I'm undecided.
Please help this newcomer if you can .......

P.S.
I'd also be interested in anywhere you think I should avoid.


(on a serious note ... I would like your help ....
On my first day in Skyrim I was enthralled by my first trip from Riverside to Whiterun ... stunning.
I'm an older gamer (late 50's) and this is my first game of this sandbox/open world genre. Semi-retired and really enjoying the relaxing roleplaying element to this game.
As I said earlier, I'm slowplaying and plan to visit a new area every other month.
Many, many months from now I'll have seen it all and will settle down to do all these many questlines that are building up but for now I just want to enjoy myself sightseeing.
I just want to arrive at my next city and get that wow feeling .... and who better to ask than this wonderful community who, seriously, have helped me to mod the hell out of this wonderful game and answered my many questions about gameplay)

My best wishes to you all ..... and I do hope that your replies and stories will help not only me but many other newcomers who visit these forums.Surely .. every other question shouldn't be about CTD issues .......and don't call me Shirley !!!

[Nosty]

go to windhelm and start the dark brotherhood questline if you really want an adventure.

[♥ Barney ♥]

I would suggest Solitude, big city and lots to do and you get to visit the Bards College and the Blue Palace. If you want something completely different from trees and grassy plains then go visit Markarth the Dwarven stone city or maybe Winterhold or Windhelm in the snow and ice. If you want something similar then Solitude or Riften is a good bet, but personally Solitude is my pick as it will give you that wow feeling.

[voehringer_nitron]

Visually speaking, I love Markarth. The politics there are pretty brutal, though. Between the Thalmor, the Forsworn and the Silver-Bloods you need to be on your toes.

[Black Album]

Originally posted by DogeFury™:

go to windhelm and start the dark brotherhood questline if you really want an adventure.

Thank you DogeFury .... but it's not the questline that I'm looking to start. I find that they are liable to send me on quests all over Skyrim ... and that's something I'm trying to avoid at present.
I'm sure the Brotherhood quests will be enjoyable when I get to them so thanks for the heads up on that.

[Black Album]

I get the feeling I may be off to Solitude ..... unless anyone else has any thoughts

[Stag Hammer]

Don't go to Morthal, its a dump! All there is there are frosbite spidrs and mudcrabs, surrounde by stinking foggy swamp! The only thing to do there is (slight spoilers!) be cured of sanguine vampiris and fight vampires

[Mr. Shaggnificent]

Stay out of the major cities. Only go to the towns.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Riften, Markarth or Windhelm.

This is the order I normally follow during my playthroughs and why.

This may contain minor spoilers.

Riverwood - Because you need to, so you can start the main story.

Whiterun - To join the companions and receive Vilkas' Sword for use, and for the main quest.

Riften - Join the thieves guild for the armor. Start the quest Book of Love quest for a bonus, Shadrs Debt for a free Stables Horse and Promises to Keep quest for Frost.

Solstheim - To obtain the Ancient Nordic Pickaxe and Blackguard's armor.

Windhelm - To start the Dark Brotherhood questline for the Armor.

Markarth - To start the Forsworn Conspiracy and Cidna Mine quests for the Armor and smithing ring, and to start the Heart of Dibella quest for its bonus damage.

[Hamsterbytes , bits and nibbles]

The moons are quite nice this time of the year.

[Stag Hammer]

Originally posted by Hamsterbytes , bits and nibbles:

The moons are quite nice this time of the year.

Haha... but seriously is there a mod for that?

[Black Album]

Originally posted by Mr.Shaggnificent:

Stay out of the major cities. Only go to the towns.

Is there a reason for this?

[Mr. Shaggnificent]

Originally posted by blackalbum:

Originally posted by Mr.Shaggnificent:

Stay out of the major cities. Only go to the towns.

Is there a reason for this?

I think they get over looked. The only one I ever see people talk about is Riverwood.

[Clever Monkey]

The logical choice because of where you have been wouldbe riften. However take the long way and stop in at karthwasten for a bit and maybe camp out in Shors stone for a night or two.

Going the other way say to Markarth stop in at Old Hroldin Inn and get a good nights sleep. Even side tour over to Rorikstead for a bit. You can take this way to Solitude or Morthal as well.

Continue to have fun.