Question about Region Play

[Highflyguy0284 0]

Hello all! This is my first post here on Simtropolis Forums. Basically I just started playing SC4 Deluxe again after a really long break. When I was younger, I found the game extremely hard due to the economic principles that are so closely tied to the game. Well now I am an undergrad student studying economics so this game seems pretty easy now lol.

I guess I am still used to the whole SC3000 mentality of making a city in one area with all Residential, Commercial and Industrial zones in one city. I started off my city like this but then hit a wall...I ran out of room. I could not build any more residential zones without de-zoning either commercial or industrial. So I decided to build surrounding cities to supply my main city with population and jobs. I made three new cities; two are mainly residential and one is industrial. My problem is that my main city's population is slowly decreasing (due to the neighboring residential ciies) and the demand for all residential types have decreased dramatically. I want my main city to keep growing in population so how do I raise the residential demand again?

[texanpride786 2]

I would say put jobs in the surrounding cities so ppl go to work there instead of building surrounding residential cities. This would create a residential influx in your main city and hopefully ur demand will go back up. I am also an undergrad student in business finance but rite now i m doing economics too.

[Haljackey 17,403]

Ah. This typical when cities expand out instead of up!

As you expand your city, land value will generally be lower in your outer areas and sims will move to the "suburbs" because of this. This is VERY similar to real life, where people flock to the suburbs when a city expands in land area.

The best way to increase your population and demand again is to zone dense residential zones and provide great transportation, city services, and jobs close to the area. Zoning dense commercial nearby can turn into offices, and sims can just walk across the street to work rather than drive across city boundaries. You can also place parks and landmarks to help increase the demand of the area.

Anyways, I hope I answered your question! Welcome to Simtropolis Highflyguy0284!

Best,

-Haljackey

[Highflyguy0284 0]

Thanks for all the advice. I am slowly transitioning most of my industry to a neighbor city. Is this a good idea? I won't get rid off all the industry in my main city, but most of it. Basically, I want a main city with towering commercial and residential buildings. Right now, since my population is low, I am far from any towering buildings.

[dogma555 187]

Originally posted by: haljackey Ah. This typical when cities expand out instead of up!

As you expand your city, land value will generally be lower in your outer areas and sims will move to the "suburbs" because of this. This is VERY similar to real life, where people flock to the suburbs when a city expands in land area.

The best way to increase your population and demand again is to zone dense residential zones and provide great transportation, city services, and jobs close to the area. Zoning dense commercial nearby can turn into offices, and sims can just walk across the street to work rather than drive across city boundaries. You can also place parks and landmarks to help increase the demand of the area.

Anyways, I hope I answered your question! Welcome to Simtropolis Highflyguy0284!

Best,

-Haljackeyquote>

Yes, this is TYPICALLY realistic, but there are also cases where this does not necesarilly occur. Look at Manhattan for instance. The demand for even the smallest studio in Manhattan is outrageously more expensive than any full sized apartment that you would find in say.. Jersey City, Newark, or Elizabeth which are poverty stricken and lie outside the major city (nyc)

This is why I like the radical ordinance mod, because it will simply increase all of the demand so you can really go about creating your city more freely without worrying about little quarks like this.

[Haljackey 17,403]

Originally posted by: Highflyguy0284 Thanks for all the advice. I am slowly transitioning most of my industry to a neighbor city. Is this a good idea? quote>

No Problem!  I think it is an excellent idea to transition your industry to other cities to make room for commercial office space.

Personally, I DON'T use industry any more.  They are a total waste of space if you want to make a sea of skyscrapers, and they create pollution and freight trucks (more traffic!), something you want to reduce in your city.

Simply put, if you want a big city, ditch the industry.  It is mainly used for smaller towns where there is not enough demand for a commercial office tower.

[Highflyguy0284 0]

A funny thing just happened. My residential demand was basically at -100% and I was wondering why. So randomly, I demolished a medium density house and put down one High density zone square. All of a sudden, demand for all residential skyrocketed instantaneously. It was a pleasant surprise.

[Pinoy30 0]

well in order for your city togrow, go and google  SC4 cheat codes, you will find some updates on mods. and city ordinance that will in fact grow your city demands by using city ordinance. good luck

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Frankly, so called cheat codes are not a good idea.  You should play the city the way it was written.  If you want a different decor, just add the NAM, and if you are interested in a colossal city use the CAM.

[KingTitan 6]

Which are BOTH a form of cheats.