8 Fictional Cities I Wish I Could Live In

Fictional Cities… Why are they always better-built, more architecturally pleasing, and full of interesting quirks and characters? Oh, right, because they’re fictional… kind of like Las Vegas. But alas, some fictional cities just make me want to go visit them desperately. Here’s a list of my top eight.

1. Galactic City

Galactic City is the official name of the planet-wide city of Coruscant. During the Galactic Empire, it was called the Imperial City. It’s home to many super-cool tourist attractions, like the The Imperial Palace the massive fortress that served as the headquarters of the Emperor, which is in the heart of the city. Also, there’s the Imperial Senate building, and the Jedi Temple where the Jedi Knights convene and pray to “the force.” What’s also cool? Flying cars and cabs. Now traffic isn’t just horizontal, it’s stacked on top of each other. And with a city that spans an entire planet, you know there’s going to be some awesome space-bars and strip clubs with crazy alien-chick strippers! Hopefully they still allow lap dances…. unlike Detroit.

2. Munchkinland

You might think the most desirable city from The Wizard of Oz  would be the Emerald City, that grand gleaming destination where Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Cowardly Lion aspire to reach. But remember, that place is filled with murderous flying monkeys and a phony “Wizard” who’s really no wizard as all. But in Munchkinland? That’s where the good, hardworking little people of the lollipop guild and others give the visiting Dorothy all the best “small-town” (pardon the pun) hospitality you’d ever need. They welcome her with a pageant of singing, dancing, weirdly colorful clothing, and all the pomp of a homecoming parade. Plus, Glenda the (hot) good witch  is there, a welcome sight in this small little hamlet. And the candy… so much candy! I mean, they have a union exclusively for the guys who make lollipops for God’s sake.

3. The Shire in Middle Earth

Okay, is Bilbo Baggins’ house not the coolest thing ever? The good Hobbits of the Shire, not unlike the Munchkins of Munchkinland, are a peace-loving small town of small people. An agrarian society where hobbits farm, socialize, and smoke their pipes, The Shire is a pastoral Eden for these little Hobbits…. and they build their homes into the grassy hills, which is a freakin’ cool architectural feat. If only that darned ring hadn’t made its way into Biblo’s hands and turned him all nuts-o.

4. Gotham City

Sure, Gotham maybe riddled with crime, corruption and violence…. but at least the villains plaguing your town wouldn’t be your typical fat cat mafia bosses or corrupt politician, they’d be some dude with a painted face and purple jumpsuit like the Joker, a hunchback like The Penguin, or a hot chick in a skin-tight black leather suit like The Catwoman. Also, if you happen to be the victim of a typical crime, there’s a good chance so guy in a batsuit will swoop in and rescue you. Nice.

5. Laputa

Laputa is the city from Gulliver’s Travels that flies… literally. Yes, the flying island city is full of egg-head intellectuals, who, for all their ponderous philosophizing and theorizing, don’t actually make much sense or get anything done. So why would anyone want to live there? Well…. you’re reading this site, aren’t ya? Plus, I mean…. it’s a freaking flying city. The views must be amazing.

6. Bedrock

Bedrock home of the “Honeymooner-esque” couple of Fred and Wilma Flintsone. You, know, I’ve always wanted a pet dinosaur, and in Bedrock, I could have it. Also, they all have hybrid cars in bedrock… they’re powered by the feet of their drivers and their dino-pets. No carbon footprint! Plus, those Brontosaurus ribs Fred orders in the opening credits look absolutely delicious.

7. Sky-High Orbit City

Sky-High Orbit City is where the Jetsons live. The Jetsons are pretty much the Flintstones, but in the future. And their future city is in the clouds, held up on pedestals that we assume must connect to some sort of ground that we never see. The cars are super-cool flying pods, and the houses are great circular structures with windows all around, so you can see 360 degrees of sky. Add that to the cool hairstyles and clothes (although George still looks a bit frumpy for some reason, what family Dads can’t have style in the future?), and the robot maids who still understand sarcasm, and you’ve got a real cool place to live… just don’t get drunk and fall off your porch… it looks like a loooooong way down.

8. El Dorado

El Dorado… a city believed to be made entirely of gold, where the roads were made of  gold and emeralds, and where, because they existed in such abundance, were of no real value to its inhabitants. The failed destination of many Spanish explorers, El Dorado was often scene as a mythical Utopia…. which none of these explorers ever found. The city was also depicted in Voltaire’s satire Candide. The benefits of El Dorado are obvious… the city is literally made of money. Also, there are no priests there in Candide, and best of all… All the King’s jokes are funny. If you ever decide to leave, although I can’t imagine why you’d want to, just pick up some stones from the street and you’ll be a rich man wherever you go…. Bling!