Welcome to the Coastal Plains

[jacqulina 162]

great pics excellent update

[sharkbait16 0]

Yay 4th Page and still going strong, expect new updates soon!!!!

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 34: City Spotlight 2 (part 1) - Panama City

Ok, so this is the first city I ever started in the Coastal Plains and it has become one of my favorite cities.  It's one of the huge city sizes and is mostly residential.  Because of it's size, I'm going to do the spotlight in two parts, starting off the first bit with a look at the city's stats:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Panama%20City%20stats%202.jpg align=baseline>

 

Like I mentioned last time, I named each city's mayor after a greek god that pertained to that city, and somehow Dionysus just worked perfectly with Panama City because of it's Spring Break destination feel.  PC probably has more beaches than every other city combined and plenty of resorts to match.  However, I'll be showcasing those in the part 2 spotlight on Panama City.  Instead you'll get a look at the plentiful suburbs and dense downtown of Panama City. 

 

One thing I had pictures of in Panama before was the large city park that was placed right inbetween the city's dense residential area.  However, I decided the park was kind of out of place, so there's now a large golf course there and a huge nice looking musuem.  Here's a look:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//golf%20course%20park.jpg align=baseline>

 

This is the Douglas Adamson Country Club, one of two private golf courses in Panama City.  The expansive museum next door houses a large collection of woodlands art and even has a small forest behind it filled with all sorts of nature.  However, right across the street, the outdoor concert park encourages a lot more loud noise than musuems are accustomed to.  This little park is where the PCL concert series takes place every year around early summer with it's usual group of headline bands:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Concert%20time.jpg align=baseline>

 

Next we'll move downtown to get a good view of how much more developed Panama City has become ever since it was founded some 120 years ago.  Panama City's downtown is home to many large companies such as Shimmer Sunscreen and Co., Milton Motels, and Hood T-Shirt Inc.  Panama City's downtown is almost completely office buildings because many of commericial services, restaurants and hotels are on the penninsula across the Panama Bay (which we'll also get a good look at next time). 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Downtown%20view.jpg align=baseline>

 

Finally, Panama City isn't purely parks and large commercial or residential buildings, but has a lot of suburbs spaced all around the city.  This first suburbs is named after the local high school:  Madison Heights.  It's right next to a three way avenue intersection and the second golf course. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Madison%20neighborhood.jpg align=baseline>

 

A few of the neighborhood's highclass homes have been abandoned for better views of the ocean on the penninsula, though property is so expensive in these parts that abandonment is rarely a problem except in the case of extreme traffic problems.  This next neighborhood winds around the creekbed and is named after it: Grapecreek Neighborhood.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Grapecreek%20neighborhood.jpg align=baseline>

 

This last suburb is just east of Grapecreek, located at the mouth of the creek, Chapel Hill.  Chapel Hill is named after St. Anthony's Chapel which resides at the top of the hill overlooking thing neighborhood.  This neighborhood is located right between the city's industrial sector and a smaller commericial district.  As you can see, I try to vary the street layouts and like to add any medium zoning next to the main throughfares like avenues and highways, though any low densiy commerical zoning is pretty much random.  So here's Chapel Hill:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Chapel%20Hill.jpg align=baseline>

 

Well that was the Panama City mainland.  The second portion of the cityspotlight will focus on the Panama Penninsula, so look forward to getting a good view of that.  Panama is mostly a residential city, whether it's small suburbs, fancy hotels and huge apartment condos, it has it all, which a little splash of commerical and industrial zoning thrown in for good measure.  Here's a look at the Panama City mainland alltogether. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Panama%20City-mainland1.jpg align=baseline>

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Panama%20City-mainland2.jpg align=baseline>

 

There's Panama City, let me know what you think!

[jacqulina 162]

very nice

[lollipop guild leader 0]

Panama City, based off the one in Florida I presume?  Very nice, though doesn't really resemble that city.  Love the downtown though.

[sharkbait16 0]

Well, it's not exactly suppose to resemble Panama City, just the feel of it.  Plus I doubt there's a lot of high density residentials in Panama.

 

Welcome to Simtropolis by the way.

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 35: When Nature Calls

This update isn't a City spotlight, but you will get to see some great pictures of the Hyde State Park.  I finally decided to put PEGS' numerous packages together to make a nice little state park, complete with fair grounds and camping sites.  This first picture is of the rest stop next to the park entrance where you can fill up on hamburgers, tacos or get a good night's sleep.  I like how the one story restaurants look as big as the two story hotel. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//rest%20stop%20restaurants.jpg align=baseline>

 

Next up is a look at the fair grounds, and then some for the park right near the entrance.  The park is mostly wooded, but here is a nicely kept lawn with tents, greenhouses (they looked right at the time) and even a beach for some swimming (I really wish they had a skiing boat dock for this game).

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//fair%20grounds.jpg align=baseline>

 

This next picture is actually of the park, but of some nearby farms, they looked spiffy.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//farming%20plots.jpg align=baseline>

 

Finally we get to the real camping section of Hyde Park.  Here I used some trails to surround the local pond and then the trail branches out to the circling streams.  You should also be able to see the camp grounds spread out along the trails.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//pond%20and%20trails.jpg align=baseline>

 

Well that's the latest going ons, hopefully I'll do a spotlight on this city later.

[jacqulina 162]

great update love the pond

[sloppet 3]

nice update! really good work so far!

[lollipop guild leader 0]

Oh fancy!  Great setup on the farms and rest stop there, so realistic. What's this city?

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 36: Revisiting the Region

Yes, as a matter of fact it has been a long time, been going through some difficulty with the game lately.  I wanted to do an update with a bunch of downtown night pics from each city but then for some random reason, every BAT building stopped having working nightlights.  I dunno if I downloaded something conflicting or what, but they use to work just fine, so I'm working on that.  It may just be that my cities are getting far too big to stay long in.  I'm already loosing hair trying to play Manhattan for more than a couple of years at a time cause it takes soooooo long. 

 

Anywho, this update is going to be short just so I get the ball rolling again.  Here's glimpse of how the region has developed thus far:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Coastal%20Plains%20size%201.jpg align=baseline>

 

As you can see the region is huge!!!  My three largest cities are Manhattan with something like 470,000 residents (and residential buildings abandoning left and right from traffis issue, despite bus and subway and monorail and ferry systems everywhere!)  Panama City is 350,000 I believe, i hasn't changed much since the last Spotlight.  And Finally, Plano is 250,000 so those three make up the bulk of the region. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Region%20-%20sat%20cut-out%20view.jpg align=baseline>

 

Here you can see those three big cities I just mentioned and several smaller cities as well surrounding and supporting those.  I'm working at building up the others so they flow more evenly.  I really want all that high density build up to just surround the immediate bay area.  So there's a bit more that I need to do.  I also cut out from this shot three upcoming large cities.  One you've already seen - Milan, just north of here.  The second, Tokyo, is West of Manhattan.  And the third is still unnamed, but I big plans for that.  It's going to be North East.

 

Expect an update soon on Plano, Manhattan, Milan, and some of the other smaller cities, I just need to get a few things taken care of, like revamping every W2W lot so that they're not these obscene numbers (4000+ on some) in these tiny buildings, something I'll have to learn along the way.

 

Anywho, now is the time for any suggestions or kind words of wisdom. 

[kb 0]

nice ketchjupy update!! my rating is 8,43/10 in my ketchuoy cj rating for you!!!! Keep up the ketchupy work!!

[jacqulina 162]

great region view

[sharkbait16 0]

Oh, Lollipop, that city is Auckland.

[newyorkrunaway1 110]

What are the detail settings ingame, you dont have very many props in your cities showing up.

[sharkbait16 0]

It's either low or medium, my computer can barely handle the huge cities as it is.  Is there something else I could skimp on and boost the detail settings?

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 37: A day in the life of Jeff McFarlan

Today, we look into the life of Jeff McFarlan, a popular resident of Plano, Tx.  Jeff moved to Plano recently to take over the CEO position of Vandium Enterprises Coastal Plains division.  Mr. McFarlan was excited to learn of Plano's low tax rate and even offered the mayor to come over for some Tiramisu which his newly hired maid expertly cooks (that's what it said, I swear).  Here's a look at Jeff:

 

 https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Tx%20DL2.jpg align=baseline>

 

 

Jeff lives in an apartment complex on the outer edge of town where it's still developing, though he is very proud of his loft on the top floor:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Jeffs%20loft.jpg align=baseline>

 

From Mr. McFarlan's loft, he drives to work along the bay to take in the beautiful scenery.  Often Jeff will even stop by the Main library to pick up a book for his kids.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Jeffs%20library.jpg align=baseline>

 

Afterwards he enters onto the highway for the fastest route to work.  On days that he doesn't need to pick something up, Jeff will take the subway which picks up right near his house.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Jeffs%20route%20to%20work.jpg align=baseline>

 

Jeff's office building is the tallest in downtown Plano, and he gets a great view of the bay from it.  Just next door is a city ice skating rink where Jeff'll go sometimes to get away and eat lunch in silence. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Jeffs%20office%20building.jpg align=baseline>

 

After work, Jeff will head home and pick up something for dinner or take the kids out.  Right nearby Jeff's place is Plano's one and only Wakeview Mall, and the family will often go by there for dinner, shopping and a movie.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Jeffs%20Mall.jpg align=baseline>

 

Well, that was a day in the life of mr big shot CEO Jeff McFarlan, now you know how simple the lives of CEOs can be.  Maybe next time I'll give you an overview on the life of somebody interesting like Manhattan's mysterious Dr. Ridiculous.

 

As you can see I added a few things to make the updates more interesting; saw several things in other CJs that i thought looked really smart, but I tried to make this at least a little original, let me know what you think!

[lollipop guild leader 0]

Good update, the mall is especially impressive, where'd you get that?

[sharkbait16 0]

That mall is by SimGoober, he just released it recently.

 

Anyone else care to comment?

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 38: City Spotlight 3 (part 2) - Panama City

What you've all been waiting for, the second installment of the city spotlight on Panama City.  I have already covered many of the basics on Panama City in the first installment of the City SpotlightLike I said this episode will be on the penninsula with it's fancy beaches, esquisite resorts and happening clubs.  First off, let's take a look at the tip of the penninsula and work our way up.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//penninsula%20tip.jpg align=baseline>

 

As you can see, not too much has changed.  I tidied up a few things and changed some things to look more realistic.  The tip of the penninsula was once the location of Ft. Hood and the San Patricio Mission nearby, now it is a sprawling area for boaters to enjoy. 

 

Next we move on to Sandstone Beach, the most popular stretch of beach on the Panama Penninsula.  Sandstone Beach is famous for it's annual ceremony at the begining of summer where they host a week long party commemorating Panama Jack, the founder of Ft. Hood, Rum distillers all over the Coastal Plains look forward to this week.  Throughout the week, every apartment window is filled with torches and the tall statues of Panama Jack is lit up brightly everynight.  Here's the beach:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Sandstone%20Beach.jpg align=baseline>

 

While the Torch Festival takes place on Sandstone beach, many of the summer visitors stay in resorts on the opposite beach shore, along a long stretch of beach known for it's crazy Spring Scene.  Cuervo Beach is also the location of Panama's most popular clubs, including the Captain's where the largest commercial pool is located.  Here's the entire Cuervo Beach:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Resort%20-%20big%20picture.jpg align=baseline>

 

Next we'll take a look at further up the penninsula, where Ft. Hood High School is located.  Just next door to the highschool is the penninsula's two most luxurious resorts - the Ritz and San Lauros.  You can also see the southern edge of Cuervo Beach. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//mid-penninsula.jpg align=baseline>

 

Now we'll take a look at some of the things tourists get to do while on vacation in Panama City.  On the Northside of the highway, the always popular Splashtown brings in people of all ages aiming to counter heat stroke before it happens. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Wet%20n%20Wild.jpg align=baseline>

 

Lastly, some of you have already seen the County Fair, so I thought I'd zoom out a bit to give a good view of the entire region surrounding it.  The Country Fair attracts thousand of patrons year-round, but the fun really starts during the hugely popular Bay Showdown, where the Panama City Pirates battle the Manhattan Titans at Memorial Stadium.  Here's a taste:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//County%20fair2.jpg align=baseline>

 

After the end of the game, the TV tower is cermeoniously lit up with different color scemes depending on which team won the game. 

 

Well that was the last of Panama City.  It's pretty much finished, though I might visit it every so often to give you another glimspe or maybe I will succumb to boredom with other cities and change this one up a bit, who knows.

 

I'll leave you with a look at the Penninsula as a whole:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//penninsula%20overview.jpg align=baseline>

[jacqulina 162]

excellent update nice beaches nice pics

[lollipop guild leader 0]

Wow, I can tell you're getting better at this, everytime I come by the updates get better and better.  Though I hope you do more A day in the life of... type updates. 

[sharkbait16 0]

Jacqulina - thanks, the beaches took a lot of time to work on

Lollipop Guild Leader - I definately plan to do atleast one in every city

 

Update 39: Milan Reborn

 

Ok, if this doesn't turn heads then I give up.  The original Milan I was working on didn't have the same kind of coordinated effort I was looking for, so it had to be completely revamped.  However the new Milan is looking incredible.  It's got a little bit of all of the European cities I've visited: London, Paris and soon Milan, Venice and Florence.  The latter two should be especially apparent in this update.  So let's get a good cityview of what I had to work with after lots of rerouting rivers (oh, since this city is in such an early stage of development, there won't be a reminder of where in the city your are, since a lot of it is still subject to change):

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Milans%20central%20island.jpg align=baseline>

 

This is where three rivers come together surrounding this island that the Italians in Milan call Assissi.  Assissi Island is the location of old Milan, where most of the older buildings and famous churches are found.  Similarly, canals criss-cross the island for greater commercial power.  If I zoomed in close enough you might see Gondolas ferring tourists back and forth. 

 

Now we'll take a look at the Florenian part of town where the Basilica di Siena is located. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Basilica%20di%20Siena.jpg align=baseline>

 

Just acroos from the train station, you'll be able to see the old Fransican Missionary and apparantly, the second train is suppose to hover (I'll have to fix that!)  Now let's get a closer look at those canals.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Florenian%20W2W%201.jpg align=baseline>

 

Unfortunetly, many of these ancient buildings are simply hollow landmarks now, though there are some who're trying to revamp them and make them suitable again for business that made Milan so famous during the Renassance.  Here's a look at one of the largest complexs, complete with a plaza (campo or Piazza in Italian) inside for vendors.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Florenian%20W2W%20piazza.jpg align=baseline>

 

Finally, we get to see one of Milan's famous catles, the Umbria Castle, which has been renovated into an Impressionist musuem.  The Umbria Castle was once the home of the Duke of Tuscany and has a large hunting grounds next door for the duke's favorite past time of fox hunting. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Umbria%20Castle%20and%20grounds.jpg align=baseline>

 

I think we'll move inland now off the island.  Today we'll take a look at the Palermo Palace and gardens. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Palermo%20Palace.jpg align=baseline>

 

The gardens surrounding this famous palace blooms brightly every spring bringing in photographers all around the world.  Surrounding the gardens are the statues of the only four kings of Milan; the last king was beheaded during a nasty revolution.  The statue of the first King, known as King Phillip the Wise, (the statue, not the king who commissioned it, despite his unfavorable reputation with the citizens) has a place of prominence at the far lower corner which you can't see in that picture.  In the last picture you can see his statue and a local highschool.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Random%20Milan.jpg align=baseline>

 

Well, that's Milan so far.  I encourage anyone who comes by to comment and let me know what you think, I tried very hard on this (a lot more than any other city, which is enough work as it is) and who would love the feedback. 

[oroen 0]

I like the little Where I am inserts to keep us oriented. I always like to stay oriented. The day in the life of Jeff was a nice idea as well. Good luck with the new Milan.

[lollipop guild leader 0]

ell that Milan is a work of art, I can't wait to see it finished.

[sharkbait16 0]

Oroen: Thank you, I've been trying to make the CJ a little more user friendly

Lollipop: Always nice to hear your comments, but it'llbe a long time before it's finished.

 

I'm hoping to get two more updates in before I have to leave for the weekend, so check here for more grandness soon.

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 40: the fantastic world of farming

In the begining, I hadn't had much practice with creating farms, farming to me was simply a way to build up the city before heavier zoning could be moved in.  In fact here's a look at how I used to do it:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Planos%20farming%20heritage.jpg align=baseline>

 

That was an early shot of Plano before the suburbs expanded out here.  However, my farming skills have increased a bit now that I can appreciate the small farmer.  Here's a look at Lockhart a small farming community.  First off, here is the Agricultural center of Lockhart (while Lockhart has housing and even industry, that is all on the otherside of the main highway.)

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//farming%20center.jpg align=baseline>

 

Next we'll move along on this tour to get a glimse at Duke Lake, where all the good ole' boys learn to swim at an early age.  Hogg Creek breaks off of Duke Lake and seperates many of the farms further south.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Duke%20Lake.jpg align=baseline>

 

Back when Lockhart was founded, the farms were orignally seperated into cookie-cutter molds so each man had the same portion of land as any other.  However, over the years, after farming being split-up over siblings or incremental weather or the coming of rail lines, Lockhart's farms began to look more like a jigsaw puzzle.  There's one area of land however, that maintains it's original zoning.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//farm%20cutouts.jpg align=baseline>

 

Well, that's the end folks.  I probably won't be visiting Lockhart again unless I do a city spotlight or other special feature on it, so until then, you'll get a great look at other cities in the Coastal Plains area.  Lemme know what you think!

 

 

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 41: Milan's History

Glad so many people liked my last update.  Well, here's a new look at Milan.

 

We'll start with the Elysees Canal, where a fire took down some of the historic buildings recently. Construction has begun to restore the area back to normal.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Canal%20close-up.jpg align=baseline>

 

Not far from here is Milan's famous Reggio Prison where the King's enemies were kept and later the last King himself was beheaded during the revolution.  Here's Reggio Prison:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Reggio%20Prison.jpg align=baseline>

 

Just south of the famous prison is Piedmont Park where locals go year round to play and feed the ducks.  Piedmont Park is one of the four major parks in Milan but is the only one on Assisi Island. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Piedmont%20Park.jpg align=baseline>

 

Here you can see Milan's old shops.  Some are still habitable with shops on the bottom floor and others are just old landmarks.  Now we'll move onto to lower Assisi Island where you can get a small glimse of downtown and the wonderful river.  Here you can see the Verona Abbey much better.  It's the only church on the island that still holds services every Sunday. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Verona%20Abbey.jpg align=baseline>

 

Finally, if we're going to talk about the history of Milan, we must mention Forte di Trieste where Milan was originally founded.  It's located right on the southern tip of the island.  The Fort suffered severe damage during the seige of Milan. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Forte%20di%20Trieste.jpg align=baseline>

[sharkbait16 0]

Update 42: A Day in the life of Trisha Groening

Trisha Groening is a senior photographer at Cameron Cameras and has lived in Manhattan for 25 years since she graduated from Coastal Plains University.  Trisha loves sports and attending all the major league games around Manhattan.  She frequently forgets to lock her apartment whenever she goes for a run at the park across from her park, but never worries for she's happy to be living in the safe part of town. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Trisha%20Tx%20DL.jpg align=baseline>

 

Trisha lives by herself on the 5th floor of her apartment building, which she subleases from it's previous owner for real cheap since under Manhattan law, apartment owners don't have to pay the going rate for rent as long as they've been living there since the law went into affect 10 years ago.  Luckily the landlord hasn't figured it out yet.  Trisha also loves her apartment because she has an icredible view of Collier Park from her window.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Trishas%20apartment%20building.jpg align=baseline>

 

On Trisha's way to work, she passes by some of her favorite Mahanttan sites, and has spent many an hour taking pictures of the scenery.  One of her favorites is the Gateway Canal bridge with it's view of her church, Albany Cathedral.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Trishas%20Church.jpg align=baseline>

 

Trisha also passes through Heritage Island Park on her way to work.  When the Manhatten Quarterly showcased the unveiling of the recently finished park, Trisha was contracted to take all the pictures for their article.  While Trisha could take the sbuway or bus to work, she loves the drive to much to give it up and is willing to waste an extra minutes for the drive.  Plus she gets to find out the sports scores from the previous day on the big screen at Jefferson Square. 

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Heritage%20Island%20Park.jpg align=baseline>

 

Trisha tries to spend as little time at her office in the Cameron Cameras building as possible, though she must go there every morning to check in.  At least there's a nice park next to the Roosevelt Fine Arts Center across the street, though she doesn't have a good view of it.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Trishas%20office%20building.jpg align=baseline>

 

Trisha's day is generally spent driving around Manhattan to various locations and taking pictures.  Though, as much as she loves her job, she'll sometimes take a break and catch a game at Dean Stadium just down the street, especially whenever the Manhattan Cavaliers have a tough gfame ahead of them.

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//Trishas%20Stadium.jpg align=baseline>

 

Trisha will often go out at night to local clubs and bars, though she's unwilling to give up her solitary life she likes so much right now.  That's all for now folks.

[sharkbait16 0]

Hmm, 3 updates and 0 replies, well I think my cue for exit stage left.  In case I don't see you again, good afternoon, goodevening and good night.