You know the saying that walls are as strong as the one protecting them? Walls with noone on them are quite useless.
Saying this, I don't see it happening that, when you're not around, your precious house gets pillaged and burned down, your man folk get slaughtered, your women folk get raped (even the little ones) and slaughted too and when you return you find evidence who might have done this, starting the new questline "Destroyed home". (God!!, I read to many Ice and Fire books! )
Once again, a swamp. But mainly because we Argonians are perfectly suited to treacherous swamps of Black Marsh, and the very helpful fact that the swamps are very easy to defend if fighting in guerrilla warfare. Oh, and the local delicacies such as those massive swamp lehvitans are absolutely delicious, and we get the very nice hist sap, a delicacy that no other race in Tamriel can drink without experiencing violent hallucinations. It's a shame that in the cold, bleak land of Skyrim, one is forced to supplement one's diet with Dunmer flesh due to a lack of swamp lehvitans. Sure, it's nice, but it never truly has the feel of a proper Argonian meal.
I'd go for the forests ouside riften. Not too cold, lots of trees ( woodelf char )
After joining the thieves guild that where I used to kip, since everyone in the inn hated me and they...lived in a fikkin sewer!! seriously, can you imagine the stench down there?? My bed was next to an open pipe, spilling water from Y'ffre knows where....in a big fat room called 'The Cistern' ! Seriously guys, I know you need a hide out and I dont mean to be prude, but eww. Just frikkin eww.
So yeah....Riften for me. Treeeeeeeeeees
Good catch on the Hearthfire UESP, Conar. So, assuming the UESP is correct, we have three choices for land. The UESP has a topographical informantion for each of the holds that may help with our decisions. Hjaalmarch may be the hold of choice for people wanting a 'swamp' environment. Fallreath Hold is a forested region, with a lake all surronded by mountains. The Pale is a cold harsh environment . As for me, it'll be based on whichever character at the moment. Some, if allowed, may acquire all three plots.
In all Skyrim, I'd choose one of either the shores of Lake Yorgrim, on the mountain near bleak falls barrow overlooking the plains, or that nice patch of land near Riften where the Black-Briar Lodge is.
I was thinking of making a mod to re-furnish that lodge to use as a player house, then claim it after killing the guards. I might even be able make my own guards to be hired, and have Black-Briar mercenaries attack.
I haven't decided what house I want for my main char but for my secondary char I want a beat up looking derelict house with an underground back exit. It would have a big torture room and a mess house where I will plant corpses in so it looks like we are having an undead dinner party! I want a pit or a dungeon to dump all the carcases for those whom are stupid enough to 'follow' me! My char's cheese has fallen of her cracker...and I like the places we go to when we are together!