Introduction
The Mojave Wasteland: a sun-scorched expanse teeming with radiation, hostile creatures, and even more hostile people. Survival isn’t guaranteed, and finding a safe haven – a place to stash your hard-earned loot, patch up your wounds, and rest your weary head – becomes paramount. While Fallout: New Vegas doesn’t offer traditional real estate purchases like some other RPGs, the game provides a surprising number of options for establishing a home base. This article will guide you through all the viable houses in New Vegas, exploring officially designated player homes, adaptable locations you can claim as your own, and even notable places that highlight the themes of home and community in the wasteland. Understanding your options and the factors that make a good home in New Vegas is crucial for any Courier looking to make their mark on the Mojave.
Designated Player Homes: Where the Game Guides You
Let’s start with the houses in New Vegas that the game more or less intends for you to use as a player home. These are locations that become available through quests or faction affiliations and often come with unique perks and advantages.
Novac Motel Room at the Dino Dee-lite
The Dino Dee-lite motel in Novac. It’s an iconic location, instantly recognizable by its giant dinosaur statue. Acquiring a room here is incredibly easy. Simply talk to Jeannie Crawford at the front desk, and for a handful of caps, you’ve got yourself a home.
How to Obtain
Pay Jeannie Crawford at the front desk. Simple as that.
Pros
Early game access is a huge advantage. Novac is a relatively safe and central location, and the motel is right next to a fast travel marker. It’s a perfect starter house in New Vegas.
Cons
The room is small and sparsely furnished. Security is minimal; the containers aren’t truly safe, and you might find unwelcome guests from time to time. Storage is limited, making it less ideal for hoarders.
Lucky Thirty-Eight Presidential Suite
For those aiming for the high life, the Lucky Thirty-Eight Presidential Suite is the ultimate in New Vegas housing. This luxurious penthouse offers stunning views of the Strip and the surrounding wasteland.
How to Obtain
Requires aligning with Mr. House and progressing through his questline. Alternatively, you can take over the Strip by eliminating House, but that option comes with its own consequences.
Pros
Spacious and opulent, the Presidential Suite provides ample room for displaying your trophies and storing your gear. It’s incredibly safe, and most of the containers respawn, meaning you can safely store items indefinitely. Plus, you get a helpful Securitron buddy to keep you company. There’s even a jukebox to play your favorite tunes.
Cons
Gaining access requires commitment to Mr. House or a significantly different path on the Strip. Some players find the suite a bit impersonal, lacking the charm of other locations. It’s also quite a ways from the starting area, making it a later-game option.
The Sink in Old World Blues
If you’re looking for a truly unique and customizable home in New Vegas, look no further than the Sink. Found within the Big MT research center in the Old World Blues DLC, the Sink is more than just a house; it’s a character in itself.
How to Obtain
Requires owning and progressing through the Old World Blues DLC.
Pros
The Sink is incredibly spacious and can be fully customized with unique vendors and services. It’s arguably the most secure location in the entire game, and the containers all respawn. Each appliance, from the Auto-Doc to the Muggy coffee maker, has its own personality and contributes to the quirky atmosphere.
Cons
Requires owning and playing the Old World Blues DLC, which might not appeal to everyone. The Big MT is geographically removed from the Mojave Wasteland, requiring loading screens to travel between locations. It can also be overwhelming due to the sheer amount of content within the DLC.
Tops Casino Suite
Similar to the Lucky Thirty-Eight, the Tops Casino Suite provides a lavish living experience, this time with a focus on pre-war style and design. This suite reflects the tastes and aesthetics of Benny and his crew, offering a different vibe from the Lucky Thirty-Eight’s futuristic décor.
How to Obtain
Available through either allying with Benny and proceeding in his questline or through securing the Strip for yourself.
Pros
Like other Strip residences, the Tops Casino Suite offers significant space and luxury, including high-end furnishings and a secure environment. The suite is also a great base for Couriers with ties to the Strip, putting you close to casinos and other valuable locations.
Cons
Access requires aligning with Benny or controlling the Strip. The questlines associated with securing this residence can lead to conflicts with other factions, so choosing the Tops Casino Suite means choosing a side.
H&H Tools Factory in Lonesome Road
The H&H Tools Factory is a grim reminder of pre-war industry. This location is not luxurious, but it provides a practical home base for those willing to travel the Lonesome Road.
How to Obtain
This location becomes available during the Lonesome Road DLC. The player must progress through the Divide and reach the final areas of the DLC.
Pros
The H&H Tools Factory offers a safe, secure location with a unique atmosphere. This factory includes respawning storage, offering safe spaces for hoarding loot.
Cons
The factory is grim, lacking pre-war luxury. The area is far removed from the Mojave Wasteland, making it inconvenient.
Adaptable Locations: Making Any Place Your Own
Sometimes, the best houses in New Vegas aren’t the ones given to you; they’re the ones you claim. These adaptable locations require a bit more work to secure and customize, but they offer a unique sense of ownership and freedom.
Goodsprings Schoolhouse
A location many players revisit with nostalgia, the Goodsprings Schoolhouse is a viable early-game home. It’s the place where you first wake up, and it’s close to familiar faces.
Pros
Easily accessible from the start of the game, the schoolhouse is in a safe and friendly location. It’s relatively easy to defend, making it a good starting point for new players.
Cons
Limited storage and a lack of amenities make it a less desirable long-term option. You’ll need to clear out the geckos first, and the open layout doesn’t offer much privacy.
Abandoned Shack Near Goodsprings
This small, dilapidated shack is a simple refuge for the early game. Its proximity to Goodsprings makes it accessible for newer players.
Pros
Early access, and simple. The area is easily defended
Cons
Very little storage space, and a dilapidated look.
Hidden Valley Bunker (Brotherhood of Steel)
For those who choose to align with the Brotherhood of Steel (or take control of their bunker), Hidden Valley offers a secure and secluded base.
Pros
The bunker is incredibly secure, and it provides ample room for storing your belongings. It’s also a good place to avoid unwanted attention.
Cons
Requires Brotherhood of Steel affiliation (or eliminating them, which can be challenging). The isolated location can make it inconvenient for accessing other areas of the Mojave.
REPCONN Headquarters (Basement)
Located near the Novac motel, the REPCONN Headquarters offers a central base of operations for the Courier. The REPCONN Headquarters includes a large basement with plenty of room for the Courier to stash their belongings.
Pros
The central location provides easy access to other areas of the Mojave. There’s lots of space to loot and explore.
Cons
Hostiles inhabit the REPCONN Headquarters, requiring you to kill all the creatures.
Notable Locations with Housing-Related Themes: Homes and Communities in the Wasteland
Even places that aren’t player homes can contribute to the feeling of “home” in New Vegas. These locations often explore themes of community, displacement, and the search for belonging in a harsh world.
Vault Twenty-One (New Vegas Strip)
Vault Twenty-One stands out as an anomaly within the typical landscape of Vault-Tec experiments. Instead of a pre-determined social experiment, the inhabitants of Vault Twenty-One were allowed to live freely, with only a single rule – disputes had to be settled with games of chance. This vault highlights a utopian ideal in a dystopian world, where housing is a reflection of egalitarian principles.
Camp McCarran
The bustling NCR base at Camp McCarran offers a glimpse into the temporary housing of soldiers stationed far from home. The crammed tents and makeshift barracks provide a stark contrast to the opulent casinos of the Strip, highlighting the sacrifices made by those fighting to maintain order in the wasteland.
Jacobstown
Jacobstown serves as a haven for Nightkin and other super mutants, offering a place of refuge and acceptance away from the prejudice and fear of the outside world. The dilapidated cabins and rustic setting emphasize the importance of community and understanding in a world that often lacks both.
The Thorn
Home to a motley collection of fiends, The Thorn embodies a different kind of community – one built on violence, addiction, and survival. The squalid conditions and brutal atmosphere reflect the harsh realities of life on the fringes of society, where home is simply where you can find a moment’s respite from the chaos.
Red Rock Drug Lab
Located within Red Rock Canyon, the Red Rock Drug Lab serves as the home base for the Great Khans, a tribe of nomadic raiders with a rich history and complex social structure. The makeshift dwellings and fortified encampments highlight the Khans’ resilience and adaptability in the face of constant threats.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Base: Making the Right Choice for You
When selecting your perfect house in New Vegas, several factors come into play. Consider these points to ensure you choose a location that suits your needs and playstyle:
Location
How close is the house in New Vegas to vendors, quest hubs, and fast travel points? A centrally located base can save you valuable time and caps.
Security
How easy is it to defend the location from unwanted visitors? A secure base will protect your belongings and your peace of mind.
Storage
Does the house offer ample safe and respawning containers for storing your gear? Hoarders, in particular, will need plenty of storage space.
Amenities
Does the location provide access to workbenches, reloading benches, beds, and medical supplies? Having these amenities close at hand can streamline your crafting and healing processes.
Aesthetics
Does the location *feel* right for your character? Ultimately, the best house in New Vegas is one that you enjoy spending time in.
Conclusion: Finding Your Home in the Mojave
The Mojave Wasteland may be a dangerous place, but it also offers a surprising number of options for establishing a home base. From the cozy motel room in Novac to the luxurious Presidential Suite in the Lucky Thirty-Eight, there’s a house in New Vegas to suit every player’s needs and preferences. Remember to consider location, security, storage, amenities, and aesthetics when making your decision. Whether you prefer a pre-furnished residence or a customizable hideout, the perfect house in New Vegas is waiting to be discovered. So, grab your gear, explore the wasteland, and find the place where you can truly call home. The wasteland is harsh, but with a good base, you can thrive.
