Key Takeaways
- Life & Death expansion adds spooky lots to Ravenwood, ranked based on design and theme coherence.
- Top builds have atmospheric details, while lower-ranked ones lack purpose and decor.
- Specter Family Manor is the standout lot, blending design, story, and atmosphere in
The Sims 4
.
The Life & Death expansion brings eerie charm to the world of Ravenwood with a set of new, spooky lots. These builds range from family homes to haunting community spaces, each one adding depth to the neighborhood’s mysterious atmosphere. Each lot has been ranked based on layout, landscaping, use of space, and how well it fits within Ravenwood’s macabre theme.
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The best builds offer detailed, atmospheric touches and functional layouts, while the less impressive ones leave empty spaces and lack purpose. Whether Sims are seeking a cozy haunt or a sprawling estate, this list will guide players through the top spots — and the ones better left to the specters.
12 Mystic Crossroads
An Eerie Haven For The Solitary Soul
- Neighborhood: Mourningvale
- Lot Size: 30 x 30
- Lot Type: Residential
The Mystic Crossroads lot in the Mourningvale neighborhood of Ravenwood offers a chillingly atmospheric setting, overlooking a misty lake and the crumbling remains of a castle. Its secluded location makes this lot ideal for those who crave solitude or want to add the Private Dwelling trait to keep unwanted visitors at bay.
Despite its intriguing setting and scenic views, Mystic Crossroads ranks the lowest among Ravenwood’s lots. Its smaller size limits the potential for elaborate builds, and as an empty lot, it lacks any unique structures or features to set it apart from the others. Its sparse offering makes it less compelling for players seeking more developed or versatile lots in Ravenwood.
11 Hay Hill Landing
A Countryside Escape Amid Ravenwood’s Gloom
- Neighborhood: Whispering Glenn
- Lot Size: 64 x 64
- Lot Type: Residential
The sprawling Hay Hill Landing lot offers a refreshing contrast to Ravenwood’s usual haunted allure. Surrounded by pastoral hills and a tranquil rural atmosphere, this lot is perfect for Sims wanting a peaceful lifestyle far from the eerie elements of the neighboring areas. Its vast space makes it ideal for a grand mansion or a farmhouse, especially for players who love the styles and themes of the Horse Ranch and Country Living expansions.
Hay Hill Landing, however, ranks second to last because it lacks a foundation to build upon. Despite its idyllic surroundings and beneficial lot traits like Natural Light and Homey — perfect for honing creative and domestic skills — its empty state leaves players needing to invest heavily in a custom build to bring it to life.
10 Crow’s Perch
The House No Sim (Living or Dead) Would Want To Live In
- Neighborhood: Crow’s Crossing
- Lot Size: 30 x 30
- Lot Type: Residential
Crow’s Perch is the first lot on this list with a pre-built home, though its design might make players wonder why anyone bothered. Despite a sign outside forbidding ghosts, that’s likely not an issue — no Sim, living or deceased, would want to move in here. The build is bland and barren, with an excess of negative space in the entry and dining rooms, and bedrooms that barely include essentials like a bed and dresser.
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Ranked 11th out of 13, Crow’s Perch leaves much to be desired in both function and style. The top bunk is missing a bottom bunk or desk beneath it, while the toddler bedroom is practically unusable due to a misplaced end table blocking access to the bed — and a creepy Grimtern plushie staring down from across the tiny room. Sparse, awkward, and uninspired, Crow’s Perch feels more like an afterthought than a real home.
9 Moppy Manor
A Starter Home In Need Of A Fresh Start
- Neighborhood: Crow’s Crossing
- Lot Size: 30 x 20
- Lot Type: Residential
Moppy Manor embodies the stereotypical EA starter home, feeling unfinished and begging for a touch of personalization. While it’s one of the smallest lots in Ravenwood, the space feels unnecessarily cramped, with a layout that doesn’t maximize its limited area. The sparse decor and lack of landscaping make the home feel uninviting and bland.
Ranked low on this list, Moppy Manor does hold some potential for Sims willing to invest in refurnishing and better decoration. With a bit of landscaping and more thoughtful design, this lot could transform into a cozy home for a small family — but as it stands, it falls flat on both function and charm.
8 The Cozy Casket House
Haunting Aesthetics With Room For Improvement
- Neighborhood: Mourningvale
- Lot Size: 30 x 20
- Lot Type: Residential
The Cozy Casket House offers a fittingly eerie backdrop in Ravenwood, with a view of the Baleful Bog — which is used for out-of-body experiences and the rebirth process — and dead trees that ooze ghostly charm. The new build mode items, like cracked windows, dinged walls, and dilapidated roof holes, give this home an authentically haunted look, and the On Hallowed Grounds lot trait adds an extra layer of fright with eerie events.
Despite the atmospheric setting, the house itself feels unfinished and lacks functional design. The casket room, while adding a creepy touch, feels out of place in a residence and has no clear purpose. Though this lot captures the spooky aesthetic well, it ultimately ranks low for being plain and unremarkable, with rooms that would benefit from more thoughtful decor and function.
7 Old Ravenwood Estate
A Grand Yet Gloomy Manor, With Room To Grow
- Neighborhood: Crow’s Crossing
- Lot Size: 50 x 50
- Lot Type: Residential
Featured in the Life & Death expansion livestream, the Old Ravenwood Estate fully embraces its heritage as a historic manor with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. This lot features a unique greenhouse that could benefit from a touch of decor, a backyard graveyard for extra atmosphere, and a tranquil top-floor space with benches and an easel overlooking Crow’s Crossing.
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This grand estate finds itself ranked 8th due to its missed potential. The layout suffers from large patches of negative space, especially on the first floor, where the entrance, living room, and bathroom feel overly bare. The kitchen, though spacious, is strangely sparse with empty counters begging for appliances or clutter to make it feel more lived-in. While the estate captures the essence of an aged, mysterious mansion, it falls short of feeling fully furnished or immersive.
6 Club Eternity
Where The Party Never Dies (But The Vibes Might Need A Boost)
- Neighborhood: Mourningvale
- Lot Size: 30 x 30
- Lot Type: Nightclub
In the club, we’re all fam, and that is what Club Eternity stands by. It offers Sims — living or ghostly — a space to dance like no one’s watching, surrounded by the dark allure of Ravenwood. The moody lighting, with a candlelit chandelier and floor lights, sets a macabre tone, and the club’s location near the Baleful Bog and Bell Tower brings hauntingly scenic views to the night’s festivities.
Despite its promising setting, Club Eternity falls a bit flat as a nightclub. Its understated decor and sparse layout make it feel more like a quiet lounge than a bustling club. With a few additions like DJ booths and dance floors from the Get Together pack, or a Paranormal seance table, Club Eternity could better capture the supernatural nightlife it aims for, but as it stands, it’s a low-key haunt that doesn’t quite live up to its name.
5 Mourning Mist Manor
A Cozy Ghostly Getaway With Garden Charm
- Neighborhood: Mourningvale
- Lot Size: 20 x 20
- Lot Type: Residential
Mourning Mist Manor offers a refreshing break from the dark, dreary color schemes found throughout Ravenwood. Pops of blues and greens enliven its well-decorated 20 x 20 layout. The attached greenhouse is a welcoming space for tea and gatherings, while the planters and carefully tended landscaping embrace the lot’s gardening theme, creating a surprisingly lively atmosphere.
Currently home to the ghostly Izadi-Gomes duo — former victims of a Cowplant accident and now reaping souls for a living — this manor balances eerie charm with tasteful design. The price of this home, listed at 70,000 simoleons, seems a bit overpriced given its inexpensive furnishings and visibly aged details, but the Mourning Mist Manor offers a unique, character-rich space on the outskirts of Ravenwood.
4 The Marigold Chateau
A Blooming Gem In Ravenwood
- Neighborhood: Whispering Glen
- Lot Size: 50 x 50
- Lot Type: Residential
The Marigold Chateau stands out as one of the more polished homes in Ravenwood, with a stunning exterior featuring rocky pathways, a serene fountain, and vibrant plant life that gives it a welcoming feel. Inside, the layout is efficient and thoughtfully planned, avoiding the negative space issues seen in other lots. The kitchen is simple but well-executed, though it could use a couple of barstools on the island to make it even more inviting.
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The interior design could benefit from some variety in wallpaper and flooring, especially on the main level, where the uniformity dampens the home’s charm. The attic, with only a chest and a bench, feels like an afterthought. With some creative touches, it could transform into a spooky attic or a hidden storage space, making this elegant chateau an even richer and more intriguing place to call home.
Teardrop Cottage
A Dark Yet Charming Countryside Retreat
- Neighborhood: Whispering Glen
- Lot Size: 30 x 30
- Lot Type: Residential
Teardrop Cottage
combines the rustic, rural charm of its countryside neighborhood with the haunting color palette of the
Life & Death
expansion. This cozy lot maximizes its small kitchen with smart storage and decor, and the backyard is a welcoming space with good use of
terrain and platform tools
for both the garden and the swing areas.
The cottage’s landscaping is especially well done, with thoughtfully placed plants, rocks, and trees adding vibrancy to the muted design. The beautifully crafted, intricate roofing showcases attention to detail. With lot traits including Great Acoustics and Bracing Breeze, this cottage would be perfect for musicians or fitness enthusiasts, though it oddly lacks any instruments or workout equipment. Perhaps some rearranging of the study room could be a place for a keyboard or violin?
3 The Final Draught
Pouring Out Comfort In A Chilling Ambiance
- Neighborhood: Whispering Glen
- Lot Size: 30 x 30
- Lot Type: Bar
Ravenwood’s bar, The Final Draught, draws in regulars with its dim lighting, cozy seating, and mellow jukebox tunes that create the perfect atmosphere of a small-town bar. With a well-designed bar and platform accents that add depth to the layout, it nails the intimate vibe of a local haunt.
The bar’s second floor is a unique feature, offering a private event space ideal for wakes and funerals, though it could use extra seating to make the coffee station feel more complete. The patio is great for socializing, and could also benefit from a few extra tables, chairs, and an outdoor music setup. Its thoughtful design and charm justify its top ranking as a spot for Sims to raise a glass to life — and beyond.
2 Eternal Hollow
A Resting Place For The Many Departed
- Neighborhood: Crow’s Crossing
- Lot Size: 64 x 64
- Lot Type: Cemetery
Eternal Hollow sets a high bar for cemeteries in The Sims 4, providing a large 64 x 64 space that’s perfect for those who might find themselves with a growing number of dearly departed. This lot caters to all types of burials, offering space for graves, plots, and urns alike, which is especially useful for players working through legacy challenges or simply accumulating tombstones over time.
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Designed with both solitude and remembrance in mind, Eternal Hollow includes peaceful spaces like a pond, picnic table, and gazebo where Sims can mourn or reflect quietly. The lot also doesn’t shy away from the eerie atmosphere, featuring a haunted swing set that occasionally moves on its own — a perfect nod to the spectral presence lingering in Ravenwood. Its potential as a funeral venue, however, would benefit from more seating, as four chairs are unlikely to accommodate most wakes or services.
1 Specter Family Manor
A Killer Legacy Lives On
- Neighborhood: Crow’s Crossing
- Lot Size: 30 x 20
- Lot Type: Residential
Although modest in size at 30 x 20, the Specter Family Manor claims the top spot with its clever design and exceptional use of space, every corner bringing life — and death — to The Sims 4. The living room and kitchen are beautifully furnished with cohesive color schemes, while the cluttered and decorated bedrooms feel truly lived-in. The charming hexagonal roof adds architectural flair, making the exterior as intriguing as the history within.
This sinister lot is home to the infamous Specter family, extending the dark lore introduced in The Sims 2. Olive Specter’s house of horrors once featured an array of suspiciously gathered tombstones, fueling speculation of foul play. In The Sims 4, however, she appears surprisingly younger — but still shrouded in mystery. A chilling basement hints at a place for Sims to disappear without a trace. With thoughtful decoration, eerie ambiance, and nods to Sims history, this build secures its title as the most memorable and well-executed lot in the Life & Death expansion pack.
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
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