Whiterun is great: it is beautiful, friendly, plentiful, has just enough shady stuff to make it interesting and free, has just enough order to make it safe and reliable, is a fairly-neutral place throughout most of the war (the closest thing to it, anyway, aside from the Greybeards and the dragons), has a storied history and warrior-poet culture of mighty men-at-arms, has fair maidens of sweet voice and beautiful allure and cunning minds, and a religious population who believe in right and wrong without being violent and who are proud of their culture without treating others badly (for the most part—once again, by Skyrim standards). It is, quite literally, the closest thing to paradise in the mortal realm of the game, aside from Riverwood. The city may not be perfect, but, in a fallen (but still good) world, this city really stands out as a beacon of good, where people can (mostly) live in peace and safety while also maintaining freedom (once again, by Skyrim standards) and adventure in their lives. Additionally, this city is a wonderful hub of commerce and a semi-cosmopolitan center, while still maintaining a firm agricultural/rural culture of warm smiles, nights of song by the fireside, a (general) detachment from politics (you always have some in any community), and an appreciation of the simple things and real matters of life while being more than capable of defending them with ferocity, if push comes to shove. It’s wonderful! :)