Zone sizes

[AnarchyStorm 0]

Hello all!

Im new to the forums and SimCity 4. I ahve played SimCity 2000 and am in love with SimGolf so I thought I would try SimCity 4.

I have had a quick search but haven't found a topic on Zone sizing. If I am using High Density Zoning, what size is best? 4x4 grids etc etc?

Thanks all

[Indisguise 0]

if your looking to make the big buildings grow...4x4...custom content on the STEX may change that though...as the custom buildings may have different size lots

[AnarchyStorm 0]

Custom content on the STEX?? What is that? I am a total $%&^! to SimCity 4. Can I turn STEX off so that it doesnt interfere with my Zoning?

[Indisguise 0]

ppl make their own buildings for use in the game...the maker can set their own building sizes and stats

STEX...is the Simtropolis building exchange for short

[simzebu 19]

*chuckles*

I hate to make fun of you, AnarchyStorm. But that comment made me chuckle.

To answer the question from the first post:

4x4 has the most interesting buildings, in my opinion. 3x3 will still get you some tall buildings, and I hear some people say it's more efficient.

And do look through some of the articles in the omnibus area. Those will help you.

[AnarchyStorm 0]

I have noticed that when I hold the mouse button down, the zone automatically creates roads? If I hold down the mouse button will it place a grid of the same size each time? i.e 6x6 grid with a road staright through the middle? When I last played SimCity 2000 I had $360 grids all throughout my city and this worked really well. The road system was also a grid system. Shall i adopt the same policies for SimCity 4 or is there better techniques?

Sorry for all the basic questions

[AnarchyStorm 0]

4x4 sounds like a nice start then. Do I need to surround each zone with road like I did in SimCity 2000. I just want to get off to a good start and then I dont midn making mistakes later and learn from them then.

I have already started off with Wind Power Gens on a tall hill and am just about to start a Heavy Industrial Zone area not far from there before adding a few blocks of Commercial follwed by Residential so that the Residential area is away from the Industrial Zones. Am I missing anything?

[masochist 111]

Welcome to Simtropolis, AnarchyStorm!!

Don't worry about it!  It's always better to ask questions than it is to go about it without knowing.

To answer your first question, I think it depends on what High Density zone you want.  For Residential, 4x4 or 4x3 usually work for me, and for commercial, you might want something like 5x3 or 4x4 to get the really big buildings.  Of course, you won't get those big buildings until you get a large enough population to sustain them.

For the second question, the STEX isn't in the actual game.  It's actually the SimTropolis EXchange, and I guarantee that it is the single largest factor in the continued popularity of SimCity 4!  There's a link to it on the top of the page (and one right here).  This is where you can get custom content made by...well, everyone!  Buildings, maps, parks, plazas, almost anything you won't find in the original game, you'll find there, and most of the buildings you'll find will tell you the lot sizes for each.  And since your going to be downloading, why not also check out The Modds and Downloads section?  This is where you'll find the Network Add-on Mod, which has become a requirement if you're going for any type of realism (but you need either Rush Hour Expansion pack or SC4 Deluxe).

For the third question, I don't know if it'll make the same size zone when there are no roads around the zones, but if there roads completely around it, it'll fill the entire block/polygon or whaterver and fill in streets where they belong.  I, personally, don't really use it, so someone else could probably tell you better.  All I can really say is don't be too afraid to experiment with the game, see what it can really do!   I hoped I helped at least a little...if you have any more questions, you can send me a private message if you want and I'll see what I can do...

<Edit> - Well, you might want a small school and/or a library, you know?  Nothing too big.  Oh, and just so you know, you should edit your post instead of posting again if no one has posted after you, because you're really not supposed to double post.

[AnarchyStorm 0]

Excellent, thanks for all that. I am running SimCity 4 Deluxe with Rush Hour so I should be ok there. I definately will be looking at the downloads later though, when my buildings are up and running.

Would you say then that most people create the zones and build the roads surrounding it or not? I am just looking at the different ways and what most people find the best/most workable.

Thanks again.

[tommiej 0]

AnarchyStorm, i see that you are new, welcome!! experiment with different zoning, 3x2 3x3 4x4, just try and see what you get! search the STEX for nice buildings, most buildings have a plop version, which you can plop in the game from the landmark menu, but you need to watch the costs of those buildings!! some mods will do you good, especially the NAM, depending on your style, realism (sandbox mode) or really trying to make a positive cash flow without cheats and mods, look at the forum and mayby the omnibus

[AnarchyStorm 0]

Thanks for the welcome. I will have a go at the different sizes and also use the standard buildings for now and see what is missing.

I will be back, posting shortly no doubt

Have fun all and thanks very much!!

[rodent1989 9]

i would recommend looking at the "show us your accomplishment" thread, and any of the "city journals," the best way to get ideas for new cities is by looking at them!  Everyone's first city turns out terrible, so you might as well just start experimenting.

Always check out this site when you have questions, the people here are really nice and smart!