A great movie location brings the story to life and fans really start to believe in the world they can see on screen. From iconic exterior shots to meticulously designed sets, the locations of our favorite shows and movies are as real for fans as their own neighborhoods. 

But what about those people who are fortunate to live in those real-life locations? In reality, living in these places adds a sense of wonder and amazement to everyday lives. Below, we explore the perks of living in some famous Movie and Film locations using some fun illustrations by an aussie home loans website.

1. Famous Friends to Hang Out With

For visitors to the city, New York feels like one big set with so many famous landmarks instantly recognizable from both the small and big screen. Friends is one of the most successful sitcoms of all time and New Yorkers will be all too familiar with the location of Central Perk, the titular friends’ favorite hangout spot. Whilst the interior of the coffee shop is located on an LA soundstage, fans can recreate Phoebe and Mike’s sub-zero wedding every winter right outside the real-life coffee shop which is located exactly where it was in the show.

2. Fantasy Worlds on Your Doorstep

The breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand brought Tolkien’s Middle Earth to life, and the locations and set design were lauded by fans and critics alike. The rolling hills of the South Island’s Rangitata Valley were the setting for Rohan, the country of King Theoden, and movie buffs can run up and down the slopes of the valley just like Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli did in their pursuit of the Uruk-Hai in The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers. Meanwhile, inhabitants of Matamata on the North Island can visit the homes of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins on the original Hobbiton set. No doubt more than one visitor has bumped their head on Bilbo’s door frame just like Gandalf did in The Fellowship of the Ring. 

3. Magical Scenery all Around

The Harry Potter movie franchise had four different directors and they all had strikingly different ideas for the film sets. While Hogwarts changed a lot from movie to movie, one building that underwent only minor changes was Hagrid’s Hut.

As Hagrid was Harry’s first and most loyal friend in the wizarding world, Harry spent many magical (pardon the pun) times in Hagrid’s Hut throughout the course of the series. Located in Glencoe, Scotland on the slopes of Ben Nevis, Hagrid’s Hut was opened to locals after filming ended, where they could reenact the scene when Hagrid first revealed his baby dragon, Norbert.

4. Iconic Landmarks on Every Street Corner

The Big Bang Theory is one of the most successful sitcoms of the last decades and the city of Pasadena, California where the show is set is now a Mecca for fans. Whilst the set for Leonard and Sheldon’s apartment is located at the Warner Bros Studios in Los Angeles, Pasadena locals can visit many of the iconic places from the show from the local comic book stores where the guys hung out, to the real-life Caltech University where they worked. No Big Bang Theory tour is complete without a trip to The Cheesecake Factory where Penny waitressed, and where you can recreate the Battle of Gettysburg just like the guys did on their first visit to the restaurant.

Exploring a famous movie or TV show location is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in your favorite stories and feel closer to the characters. Many shows and movies encapsulate the vibe in a certain city whilst others use the natural landscape to bring fantasy worlds into reality.