Where does Gandalf live

[Melilot Brandybuck]

He wanders all over ME on secret missions, but surely there must be times where he has some r&r. I wonder if he owns a house? Maybe he has an open invitation from Elrond to stay at Rivendell, and goes there. Could ask the same about Aragorn too. Perhaps they both stay at Rivendell?

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Melilot Brandybuck

He wanders all over ME on secret missions, but surely there must be times where he has some r&r. I wonder if he owns a house? Maybe he has an open invitation from Elrond to stay at Rivendell, and goes there. Could ask the same about Aragorn too. Perhaps they both stay at Rivendell?

I'd say Rivendell,and probably Lórien, were Gandalf's most frequent resting spots, but the books seem to make it clear that he was indeed the "Grey Pilgrim", who had no permanent home in Middle-earth.

Aragorn was fostered in Rivendell, so that would have been his "home base" as it were, though he seems as an adult to have been as much a wanderer as Gandalf.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

It is pretty clear that Gandalf does not have any "permanent residence", and I think in the essay about the Istari in Unfinished Tales it is maybe even stated explicitely (but even if not, clearly enough). I think it is at least implied also that the Wizards' "settling down" was partially also a failure, both in case of Saruman (who wanted to become a "politically established power" and also wanted to "show off" with his "Wizard's tower") and Radagast (who just chose a shelter to hide in among his favourite animals). A Wizard was supposed to move to be able to assist in different places, if I overdo it a little bit, I would liken them to wandering apostles - they were supposed to boost the morale wherever they came, and simply relied on the fact that the locals would offer them a shelter for the time being. (That's also the reason why Gandalf evidently stopped going too far East and South, since he didn't receive the welcome there.)

That is not to say that Gandalf clearly had a few favourite "retreats" where he was certain of being received - such as Rivendell, Lórien, or also the Shire (in a different way) where he could go "on a holiday" to please himself with looking at happy hobbits who had no idea about any shadow and evil. But obviously, his task always drove him on, so he did not have time to settle down permanently anywhere.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

It is pretty clear that Gandalf does not have any "permanent residence", and I think in the essay about the Istari in Unfinished Tales it is maybe even stated explicitely (but even if not, clearly enough). I think it is at least implied also that the Wizards' "settling down" was partially also a failure, both in case of Saruman (who wanted to become a "politically established power" and also wanted to "show off" with his "Wizard's tower") and Radagast (who just chose a shelter to hide in among his favourite animals).

I don't know how I missed this before, but I think it's an interesting point.
Getting a "base" could be the first step, for one in a position of power and authority like the Istari, toward a mindset of domination and empire-building. After all, they were fundamentally the same creatures as Sauron. Gandalf may have deliberately kept his feet wandering not only to explore hearts and minds to see what he had to work with, but also to keep himself out of the "fortress" mentality that Saruman fell into.

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I don't know how I missed this before, but I think it's an interesting point.
Getting a "base" could be the first step, for one in a position of power and authority like the Istari, toward a mindset of domination and empire-building. After all, they were fundamentally the same creatures as Sauron. Gandalf may have deliberately kept his feet wandering not only to explore hearts and minds to see what he had to work with, but also to keep himself out of the "fortress" mentality that Saruman fell into.

Very interesting thought indeed. I suppose it's a very short step from thinking "this is the manifestation of my power" to "I am the lord of this property", and Sauronity begins. It's also very interesting that in the closest to a declaration of power that Gandalf ever made, he named himself a Stewart - knowing that Middle-Earth bears traces of his influence and power, but not appointing himself as its lord or master.

[Mithalwen]

In UT it says that he "never made for himself any lasting abode" and that he dwelllt in no place and gathered neither wealth norfollowers. It also says that he travelled mainly on foot. However we know that at times he has use of a horse and horse and cart. We also know that he made fireworks which I suspect is not something even a wizard finds convenient to do on the road. We know he borrows horses from Elrond Beorn and Rohan and while he seems to be received in mortal lands as a guest at Rivendell he seems part of the househol while he is there and while we don't witness it he no doubt is equally welcome at the Havens and Lorien. Cirdan instantly recognised Gandalf's significance as shown by his passing on of Narya to the one who seemed least of the Istari. Cirdan as Lord of the seemingly mose craft orientated elven realm may well have provided workshop space to Gandalf.

[Belegorn]

I think Metallica's song, Wherever I May Roam is appropriate here. "And the road becomes my bride... gives me all I need...rover, wanderer, nomad, vagabond, call me what you will...anywhere I roam where I lay my head is home... and the earth becomes my throne... off the beaten path I reign". Sort of makes sense to me. hahaha

Aragorn does have 2 homes, with Elrond and with his people. He has often gone off under the guise of many names helping people and espying the enemy in the east and south. He did great deeds "in the company of the sons of Elrond" [RotK, p. 382] He left Rivendell when he was 20 and went fighting against Sauron for 29 years before returning.