There is something fascinating about people who choose to live in places that most of us wouldn’t even think of as an option. They are not necessarily the most convenient or practical places, but they attract a particular kind of resident: the ones who don’t mind a bit of ‘different’ in their daily routine. Now we can’t promise to have a listing in any of these places – in fact, we can guarantee that we don’t – but we thought it was a fun idea for a blog post nonetheless. You don’t want to read about mortgages and interest rates all the time.
If you are someone who likes the idea of stepping outside the usual comfort blanket of rural or urban living, here are some genuinely quirky (and real) places around the world that people call home. Maybe you will find some inspiration of your own.
Giethoorn, Netherlands:
In the Dutch village of Giethoorn, the usual traffic jams and car horns are replaced by the soft murmur of electric boats gliding along narrow canals. There are almost no roads in the town. Instead, small waterways snake between houses, and most transportation is done by boat or on foot along wooden walking bridges.
It sounds like something straight out of a storybook, but people genuinely live here all year round. There are schools, shops, and all the basics you would expect, just without the cars. In the winter, the canals freeze over, turning the town into a giant ice rink. Tourists do show up in droves during summer, but off-season, it turns into a peaceful little bubble. The town has been around for centuries, and the lack of cars isn’t a modern green initiative; it’s just how the layout evolved, and people have made it work. They love it this way!
Slab City, California:
Tucked away in the California desert is Slab City. It used to be a military base, and after it was abandoned, people began moving in and building homes out of whatever they could find, including shipping containers and scrap metal. Hence, it is nicknamed the ‘Free City’.
There is no government; instead, there is a community of people living outside the typical societal structure. Some residents stay only during winter (called ‘snowbirds’), while others live there year-round despite the intense summer heat. Life in Slab City isn’t comfortable in the traditional sense. There is no electricity unless you generate it yourself, no running water, and no law enforcement. But there is a surprising sense of community. Slab City isn’t for everyone, but it is one of the few places where you can live exactly how you want, as long as you are willing to accept the trade-offs.
Auroville, India:
Founded in the late 1960s as an international experiment in collective living, Auroville is situated in southern India. It is home to people from all over the world who have come to live a life based not on nationality or religion, but on spiritual growth and shared resources.
People work in community-run units and projects, and instead of salaries, they receive a maintenance allowance to cover basic needs. It certainly isn’t perfect, but it is a functioning community of several thousand people who have chosen to live in a space that tries to reimagine how society could work. You don’t just show up and move in, though; there is a long process of volunteering, community engagement, and commitment. If you are drawn to communal living, Auroville could be the place for you to call home.
Coober Pedy, Australia:
Coober Pedy looks like a ghost town at first glance until you realise that most of the town is actually underground. Why? Because it is one of the hottest inhabited places on Earth, people have responded by literally moving below the surface.
Temperatures underground remain relatively stable throughout the year, providing a cooler escape from the intense heat above. Life in Coober Pedy is rugged, but not primitive. Underground homes can be surprisingly luxurious, and residents have grown used to the silence and insulation. It is not uncommon to go for days without stepping outside, but social life still happens - there are bars, clubs, and even a golf course! This kind of subterranean lifestyle isn’t for the claustrophobic, but it is undoubtedly unique if that's your thing.
Chefchaouen, Morocco:
Nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco, Chefchaouen is famous for one thing: it is blue. Not just the odd painted door or building, nope, practically the entire town is awash in varying shades of blue. No one is entirely sure how the tradition started. Some say it was introduced by Jewish refugees in the 1930s, while others link it to the belief that blue keeps mosquitoes away. Whatever the reason, residents have fully embraced it.
Living here is a slower-paced experience, with a strong sense of community. The narrow streets make cars mostly irrelevant, and local markets (known as souks) are still the heart of daily life. For introverts or those seeking a calm base in a culturally rich part of the world, it is a dream come true.
Whittier, Alaska:
Whittier is a town where almost everyone lives in the same building. That is not an exaggeration. The Begich Towers, a 14-story structure that was once a military facility, houses most of the town’s roughly 200 residents. Inside, you will find not just apartments, but a school, post office, convenience store, and municipal offices…the list goes on. It is often described as a vertical village.
Why one building? Well, Whittier is only accessible by boat or via a one-way tunnel through a mountain that closes at night. The setup creates a tight community where everyone knows everyone, and privacy is more about mutual respect than physical distance. Whittier isn’t a place you just end up in; most residents have a reason to be there, such as jobs or family ties.
Each of these communities reminds us that there is no one way to live, and that is probably a good thing. Imagine how boring life would be if there was! When looking for a new home, it is not just about finding a place to live, but also about choosing how you want to live, even if it is somewhere a little quirky. Maybe it’s time to be a little bolder with your own choices!
If you are someone who likes the idea of stepping outside the usual comfort blanket of rural or urban living, here are some genuinely quirky (and real) places around the world that people call home. Maybe you will find some inspiration of your own.
Giethoorn, Netherlands:
In the Dutch village of Giethoorn, the usual traffic jams and car horns are replaced by the soft murmur of electric boats gliding along narrow canals. There are almost no roads in the town. Instead, small waterways snake between houses, and most transportation is done by boat or on foot along wooden walking bridges.
It sounds like something straight out of a storybook, but people genuinely live here all year round. There are schools, shops, and all the basics you would expect, just without the cars. In the winter, the canals freeze over, turning the town into a giant ice rink. Tourists do show up in droves during summer, but off-season, it turns into a peaceful little bubble. The town has been around for centuries, and the lack of cars isn’t a modern green initiative; it’s just how the layout evolved, and people have made it work. They love it this way!
Slab City, California:
Tucked away in the California desert is Slab City. It used to be a military base, and after it was abandoned, people began moving in and building homes out of whatever they could find, including shipping containers and scrap metal. Hence, it is nicknamed the ‘Free City’.
There is no government; instead, there is a community of people living outside the typical societal structure. Some residents stay only during winter (called ‘snowbirds’), while others live there year-round despite the intense summer heat. Life in Slab City isn’t comfortable in the traditional sense. There is no electricity unless you generate it yourself, no running water, and no law enforcement. But there is a surprising sense of community. Slab City isn’t for everyone, but it is one of the few places where you can live exactly how you want, as long as you are willing to accept the trade-offs.
Auroville, India:
Founded in the late 1960s as an international experiment in collective living, Auroville is situated in southern India. It is home to people from all over the world who have come to live a life based not on nationality or religion, but on spiritual growth and shared resources.
People work in community-run units and projects, and instead of salaries, they receive a maintenance allowance to cover basic needs. It certainly isn’t perfect, but it is a functioning community of several thousand people who have chosen to live in a space that tries to reimagine how society could work. You don’t just show up and move in, though; there is a long process of volunteering, community engagement, and commitment. If you are drawn to communal living, Auroville could be the place for you to call home.
Coober Pedy, Australia:
Coober Pedy looks like a ghost town at first glance until you realise that most of the town is actually underground. Why? Because it is one of the hottest inhabited places on Earth, people have responded by literally moving below the surface.
Temperatures underground remain relatively stable throughout the year, providing a cooler escape from the intense heat above. Life in Coober Pedy is rugged, but not primitive. Underground homes can be surprisingly luxurious, and residents have grown used to the silence and insulation. It is not uncommon to go for days without stepping outside, but social life still happens - there are bars, clubs, and even a golf course! This kind of subterranean lifestyle isn’t for the claustrophobic, but it is undoubtedly unique if that's your thing.
Chefchaouen, Morocco:
Nestled in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco, Chefchaouen is famous for one thing: it is blue. Not just the odd painted door or building, nope, practically the entire town is awash in varying shades of blue. No one is entirely sure how the tradition started. Some say it was introduced by Jewish refugees in the 1930s, while others link it to the belief that blue keeps mosquitoes away. Whatever the reason, residents have fully embraced it.
Living here is a slower-paced experience, with a strong sense of community. The narrow streets make cars mostly irrelevant, and local markets (known as souks) are still the heart of daily life. For introverts or those seeking a calm base in a culturally rich part of the world, it is a dream come true.
Whittier, Alaska:
Whittier is a town where almost everyone lives in the same building. That is not an exaggeration. The Begich Towers, a 14-story structure that was once a military facility, houses most of the town’s roughly 200 residents. Inside, you will find not just apartments, but a school, post office, convenience store, and municipal offices…the list goes on. It is often described as a vertical village.
Why one building? Well, Whittier is only accessible by boat or via a one-way tunnel through a mountain that closes at night. The setup creates a tight community where everyone knows everyone, and privacy is more about mutual respect than physical distance. Whittier isn’t a place you just end up in; most residents have a reason to be there, such as jobs or family ties.
Each of these communities reminds us that there is no one way to live, and that is probably a good thing. Imagine how boring life would be if there was! When looking for a new home, it is not just about finding a place to live, but also about choosing how you want to live, even if it is somewhere a little quirky. Maybe it’s time to be a little bolder with your own choices!