Top 10 TV Small Towns We Want to Live In
#10: Neptune, CA
“Veronica Mars” (2004-07, 2019)
We’ll admit, at first glance, our favorite girl detective’s hometown might have a few drawbacks. That’s part of what keeps the place so interesting though! Well, that and the suspiciously high crime rate. But seriously, if you can get past that Neptune is a pretty cool place to call home. The whole SoCal noir feel definitely gives this town a unique vibe. Meanwhile, who wouldn’t love being able to enjoy that gorgeous beachfront? Of course the town’s number one feature will always be Veronica herself. Whatever problems Neptune may have, she’s definitely up for the challenge. All we would have to do is kick back in the sand and watch her go.
#9: Sunnydale, CA
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
We know what you’re thinking, life on the literal mouth of Hell? Sounds tricky, right? Okay, but just imagine the possibilities. For instance, The Bronze is cooler than any teen club we’ve ever seen. But is that because of it’s non-existent age threshold or the brooding vampires lurking around the dance floor? Or the werewolf playing bass on stage? And Halloween? Who wants to just wear a costume when you can really live the experience for a night? The supernatural goings-on might come with a side of danger, but if you can survive you’ll get an experience unlike any other. The town has its own superhero and her ace team of sidekicks, after all, what’s the worst that could happen?
#8: Rosewood, PA
“Pretty Little Liars” (2010-17)
Sure, it’s easy to focus on the insane mystery at the heart of the story here. It’s only so shocking though because it’s so out of place in the idyllic setting. Located just a stone’s throw from Philadelphia, Rosewood offers the best of both worlds. It’s got big city glamor and intrigue but in a charming small town package. Given how the people here tend to dress, the shopping must be pretty choice too. We won’t deny that our protagonists had to deal with a lot in their corner of the world, so much that it even spilled out into the neighboring communities. But we can’t help but envy their good luck in having a place like Rosewood to call home.
#7: Capeside, MA
“Dawson’s Creek” (1998-2003)
Paris might be incredible, but it’s a little hard to imagine anyone wanting to leave Capeside. The town itself may seem sleepy, but we prefer to see it as peaceful. After all, with the amount of relationship drama going down you need a tranquil setting as a counterbalance. Seriously, just look at the natural beauty of this place. It’s a textbook example of the perfect New England seaside town. Growing up will never be easy no matter where you go through it, but it’s gotta help if you can feel the pain and angst of adolescence while you look at this scenery. Cheer up, Dawson, just take a breath of that Atlantic air and have a little perspective.
#6: Pawnee, IN
“Parks and Recreation” (2009-15)
This small Indiana town might be a little dysfunctional. But it’s the kind of dysfunction that comes with a lot of heart. Sure, the local corporate giant may cause some issues. And the people definitely have their share of disagreements. It’s hard not to fall for a town that can show so much love to one miniature horse though. It’s the people that really sell us on this unique slice of middle America. Who wouldn’t want to make their home in a town that produces individuals like Leslie Knope and her friends? No matter how hard Eagleton might try, our hearts belong to Pawnee. Spending even a day there would be the ultimate embodiment of this excellent advice.
#5: Virgin River, CA
“Virgin River” (2019-)
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It’s a tale as old as time, or as old as the Hallmark channel anyway: City girl relocates to a small town for a fresh start. It’s not necessarily everyone’s dream, but Virgin River in remote northern California definitely makes a good case for the appeals of a quieter life. The breathtaking natural surroundings are a good start, for one thing. And if Pacific cottage core is your thing, then this place can light up your vibes all day long. There’s just something generally endearing about the locals too. Some small towns can be a little closed off to outsiders, but in Virgin River we get the sense that all newcomers would get a warm welcome.
#4: Bluebell, AL
“Hart of Dixie” (2011-15)
Though the charm of the South is almost legendary, not everybody sees that side of the region right away. However, following Zoe Hart on her move to rural Bluebell, Alabama, we get drawn into the town as she does. The gulf coast community feels slightly out of a different time, with its own rhythms and customs. Very few people seem troubled by its slower pace of life though. In this fantasy version of the deep south there’s time to sip your sweet tea and enjoy the little moments. And you have to hand it to the Bluebellians, they do know how to throw a celebration. A well color-coordinated one at that.
#3: Schitt’s Creek, ON
“Schitt’s Creek” (2015-20)
Top 10 Small Details You Missed on Schitt's Creek
Sometimes life takes us to unexpected places. A town called Schitt’s Creek might not seem like the ideal spot for a new beginning, but it just goes to show that you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. Or a town by it’s name. It may not be the fanciest spot on the map, but what it lacks in refinement it makes up for in flavor. Not to mention, with a local population who seem ready to roll with anything. Plus, it’s cozy size means that it would take no time at all to get familiar with the town. It may have taken the Rose family a bit, but we can see right away what Schitt’s Creek’s founder accomplished.
#2: Tree Hill, NC
“One Tree Hill” (2003-12)
Top 10 Iconic One Tree Hill Kiss Scenes
So many small town stories make a point of how dull life there can be. That never feels like the case in Tree Hill. The place gives us the close community bonds we expect and plenty to entertain as well. With the high school basketball games, the cool independent businesses frequented by the locals, and the beautiful town spaces it seems like a person could always find something to interest them. They even have a cool night club, one which has commanded some pretty awesome acts over the years. It’s no wonder that so many of the characters remained close by as they got older. With a home like Tree Hill it would be hard to imagine finding a better spot to settle down.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Serenity, SC, “Sweet Magnolias” (2020-)
The Community Bonds Are Thicker Than the Accents Here
Smallville, KS, “Smallville” (2001-11)
Elevating the Small Town Experience to New Heights
Dillon, TX, “Friday Night Lights” (2011-18)
The Town Spirit Makes Us Want to Join In Under the Lights Ourselves
Everwood, CO, “Everwood” (2002-06)
The Mountains Are Calling and We Must Go
Mystic Falls, VA, “The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17)
A Historic Town With a Bite of Adventure
#1: Stars Hollow, CT
Gilmore Girls (2000-07)
Top 10 Dramatic Performances by SNL Stars
There truly is no place in the world like Stars Hollow. The town isn’t just fictional, it seems to exist in another world. Jess may not appreciate it, but we all fell in love with this quirky Connecticut treasure and the colorful characters who call it home. When everyone treats each other like family all that small town closeness feels like love rather than nosiness. And we just have to appreciate the way Stars Hollow knows how to celebrate. There is a festival for everything here, and each one more memorable than the last. Many shows can boast distinctive settings, but only Stars Hollow is practically a character in its own right. And one of our favorites at that.
