Hi there! You are currently browsing as a guest. Why not create an account? Then you get less ads, can thank creators, post feedback, keep a list of your favourites, and more!
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#1 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 9:01 PM
Default Essential community lots for a town?
I've just created a new subhood for my neighbourhood, which is meant to be a new nearby town/shopping district. I made the map myself on Sim City 4, and I'm pretty happy with it, but now I've got to decide what to put in it!

So far I have: coffee shop, restuarant, grocery store, clothes shop (possibly several, different styles), hairdressers, bookshop. These would be along the main road, but there's still loads of room for more. I also came up with a park and a leisure centre a little further away from the centre of town.

I'm also trying to come up with 4/5 riverfront businesses. I have a cafe/restraunt in mind so far, but I'm trying to figure out how to make it on one level at the front, and then you go outside and down a flight of steps to a little terrace at river level.

So, I guess I'm asking: what are your go-to community lots for a new neighbourhood, and if you had this empty hood in front of you, what would you fill it with?
Screenshots

♫Cuz I don't have a home in this life, I have to roam. Got nowhere to lay my head, so I'll follow you instead, and set my gaze on the place I'm going to. Til then I'm homeless, but I'll roam with you...♫

My Simblr: http://natteryaktoad.tumblr.com
Advertisement
Field Researcher
#2 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 9:04 PM
This post of mine could probably help you out!
Lab Assistant
#3 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 9:17 PM
I would recommend an amusement arcade for a river lot. For other lots I would suggest a concert hall,nightclub,florist and toy/game shop.
Mad Poster
#4 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 9:19 PM
A place to go dancing, an outdoor stage along the river. Consider buildings like churches, civic buildings, and schools - if you don't want to have playable ones, you can still find neighborhood decoration. Billiard parlor, karaoke bar, gym, botanical garden, sports fields, municipal swimming pool.

Ugly is in the heart of the beholder.
(My simblr isSim Media Res . Widespot,Widespot RFD: The Subhood, and Land Grant University are all available here. In case you care.)
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#5 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 9:50 PM
Thanks for all the great ideas. @Prah, that post has some great ideas, thanks.

Amusment arcade and outdoor stage for along the river are great shouts.

I'm thinking of building some of the lots along the high street just as shells, with their outsides fitting in with other buildings on the street, which I can then fill out later, but so there's no empty lots on the high street...

♫Cuz I don't have a home in this life, I have to roam. Got nowhere to lay my head, so I'll follow you instead, and set my gaze on the place I'm going to. Til then I'm homeless, but I'll roam with you...♫

My Simblr: http://natteryaktoad.tumblr.com
Helptato
#6 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 9:57 PM
Quote: Originally posted by Peni Griffin
A place to go dancing, an outdoor stage along the river. Consider buildings like churches, civic buildings, and schools - if you don't want to have playable ones, you can still find neighborhood decoration. Billiard parlor, karaoke bar, gym, botanical garden, sports fields, municipal swimming pool.


Yes- what my neighbourhoods are missing are plenty of places for Sims to just go and socialise. Parks are fun, but when it rains I want somewhere indoor to send my Sims!


Emma!

Simblr
[url=https://peanutbuttersandwich.dreamwidth.org/Dreamwidth[/url]
Link Ninja
#7 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 10:03 PM
Jo had a community lot thread in her signature and here is an old post of community lot ideas too that had quite a bit of chatter on it. I think you do well with coffee, grocery, clothes, park. Other things I like to have in every subhood are: gym, fancy restaurant (for dates), someplace that serves 'drinks', a graveyard for dead sims, someplace with a butt-load of group entertainment possibilities (like your community center)

I have a lot called "Spectacular Spectacular" which combines bowling, bubble blowers, billiards, and arcade in one of my down towns and is designed to have a mix of colors and patterns on the inside.

A different downtown has 'The Fun House' which is styled like a brick townhouse and has three floors of entertainment, the first has a bar, dance floor, and restaurant. Second floor is two-lane bowling and billiards, third floor is poker, darts and karaoke.

In Kashmire Pointe, there's boardwalk 4 which combines an aquarium, sea-themed restaurant, interactive art gallery, the beach, roller skating, billiards, darts, poker, a ferris wheel, and carousel for all entertainment needs.

Uh oh! My social bar is low - that's why I posted today.

Mad Poster
#8 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 10:16 PM Last edited by Rosawyn : 15th Feb 2018 at 10:46 PM.
I think the only truly essential community lot is a graveyard.

But other go-tos on my personal list include:
Pond/lake for fishing
Grocery store
Clothing store (that also sells jewelry and perfume)
Pet store
Arcade
Bowling alley + pool hall
Restaurant
Bar/pub
Coffee shop
Pool (with hot tub)
Gym (with sauna)
Ice/roller rink

Most or even all of these things can technically be on the same lot, but for realism sake I don't tend to put the arcade and cemetery that close together!

Other objects that I insist on having on at least one community lot include the photo-booth and Mog's CC greeting cards rack.

You might also want to include a Cooking Contest table on a non-hidden community lot.
Instructor
#9 Old 15th Feb 2018 at 11:10 PM
This is an odd suggestion, but what about a furniture store for your shopping district? You'll spend less time in Buy mode, if your sims do their own shopping for beds, tables, etc...



There's no drama, like Sims drama.

Currently Playing: Sims 2 again!




Lab Assistant
#10 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 1:33 AM
Think in terms of the sims' needs. If you have a mod that allows skilling on community lots, you expand your horizons exponentially.

Library
Community Garden/Rose Garden
Bank (if you have money hacks/downloads like Monique's Computer or the checkbook, even a good spot for fortune sims to give financial consulting!)
Park
Community Pool
Bowling Alley
Diner
Dock with fishing access
Church/Mosque/Synagogue/Etc.
Community Center
Military Academy
Hair Salon
Spa
Bar
Casino
Nightclub
Indoor Rec Center

The possibilities are endless if you're clever enough with the tools given you by the game. :>

Sims 2 Story|My Tumblr|Donate
See something of mine you like? Just ask, and I'll get you a link to the item you're looking for.
Lab Assistant
#11 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 3:22 AM
I don't think anyone's suggested a movie theater or drive-in yet, but those are another possibility.
Mad Poster
#12 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 3:36 AM
What about a town dump? You can dig there for treasure, or if you have the ability, delete valuables placed there for a quick profit. Mine makes about 32,000 smackers every time someone goes whole hog on it.
It's a scavenger's heaven. Smelly, but it travels well.

Also, an arcade featuring the aspiration pinball machine. It's an effective and very profitable way to make money. Put two or 4 in one lot and you'll be a very well-known establishment in no time.

A garden spot where cheap flowers and other plants are sold. You have to prettify up the neighborhood somehow! (Gnomes are optional).

Receptacle Refugee & Resident Polar Bear
"Get out of my way, young'un, I'm a ninja!"
Grave Matters: The funeral podium is available here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/e6tj...albits.zip/file
My other downloads are here: https://app.mediafire.com/myfiles
Mad Poster
#13 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 3:38 AM
Mootilda's "Moo's Mews" and "Moo's Nightlife Mews".
Moo's Mews (8 modern base-game no-cc venues) http://modthesims.info/download.php?t=387319
Moo's Nightlife Mews (6 modern Nightlife no-cc venues) http://modthesims.info/download.php?t=489422

And if you are also looking for houses to fill in the hood with then check out Mootilda's great houses with and without basements. http://modthesims.info/browse.php?f...wAll=1&u=589252

All my Beginning Hoods here at MTS. http://www.modthesims.info/member.php?u=7749491
All my Beginning Hoods as Shopping Districts plus Old Town. http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=523417
MooVille, a tribute to Mootilda and her fabulous lots http://www.modthesims.info/download.php?t=534158
Field Researcher
#14 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 4:10 AM
Nice map! Had you considered uploading the terrain? I'm always looking for good ones
Needs Coffee
retired moderator
#15 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 6:19 AM
Quote: Originally posted by Rosawyn
I think the only truly essential community lot is a graveyard.


LOL! Your idea of playing is VERY different from mine.

Since my thread has been mentioned I won't mention it again, but I try to think of all lots that a community would need to run, so services and lots for entertainment. I even have a power plant and a Television station. Both downloaded from here.

I would have a fresh fish shop by the river as well.

"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives." - Unknown
~Call me Jo~
Mad Poster
#16 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 8:27 AM
I didn't realize how morbid and ghoulish that sounded until you quoted it like that, Jo. I legitimately was just thinking for practical reasons so the ghosts don't end up torturing/killing the living sims. But it is pretty funny interpreted differently.
Needs Coffee
retired moderator
#17 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 8:47 AM
I've just been playing Skyrim seeing if my mods are working, now I picture you going around with a big axe.

"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives." - Unknown
~Call me Jo~
Mad Poster
#18 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 9:12 AM
It is really all about how you play, isn't it?

The Unemployment Centre in my hood is the most important community lot - my game revolves around it.
The fishing pond is essential as well - great place for Sims to meet (and gain fishing badges).
The restaurants are very important, because my Sims don't only go out to eat/on dates, but business lunches and work functions also have to take place somewhere.
The shops are very important, all run by playable Sims.
The swimming pool is not that important, but my Sims like to go there anyway. Same goes for my Art, Fitness, Sport and Music parks (my sims tend to do things outdoors).
And of course there have to be bars! Waterholes for all of them - they tend to get thirsty from being outdoors, you know

I don't have hospitals, schools, government buildings, etc. because I don't use certain mods and see no need to have these. I will rather build another bar
Mad Poster
#19 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 9:32 AM
I have a hospital for the doctors in the neighborhood to go do their weekend duty-they have a hacked surgical station and a dental station to use on patients. The hospital also has a waiting room, and a lunchroom for those who are waiting for their appointment.
It's a fairly popular place.

Receptacle Refugee & Resident Polar Bear
"Get out of my way, young'un, I'm a ninja!"
Grave Matters: The funeral podium is available here: https://www.mediafire.com/file/e6tj...albits.zip/file
My other downloads are here: https://app.mediafire.com/myfiles
Mad Poster
#20 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 11:51 AM
If you use one, you need one
Field Researcher
#21 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 4:46 PM
I'll use the default downtown which has most of everything, but as the 'hood grows I'll add stuff to it for convenience and variety.

First is usually a park with barbecue, fishing hole, hockey rink, wc's , swingsets, chess etc.
Next will be a grocery store/clothing store,..usually a mall type set up. Add pinball, wc's , barbecue, mag rack, some sort of sound system...

I like to place coffee machines too, as everyone likes free coffee and the sims will probably need it (sometimes it is a real date saver).

With those bases covered, I'll think about more elaborate and specialised lots, like roller rinks, public pools, restaurants of character, a cemetery, a music centre, whatever seems needed. I always do this over time and never all at once. I do use the hobby lots a lot, so there's sometimes no need for a certain kind of lot.

On any given lot I like to offer 4-5 things/activities to do. I don't like too much duplication and I don't try to put *everything* in the same place. Variety is needed and uniqueness is valued. And it's worth it to spend some design time on the look of the lot too. It adds character. And once a lot is in play, you'll want to revisit it and make various navigational edits. and also to add features you overlooked (,,, like lightbulbs, trashcans, more places to sit etc.)

The most important advise is not to build lots you'll never go to. Unless you just like building, so hey, go for it.
Field Researcher
Original Poster
#22 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 5:41 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions. So far I've built:

A cafe/restaurant
An arcade
An outdoor stage
A wooded area with barbeque

(Pictures on my tumblr - link in my sig - if anyone's interested).

I'd love to build a fresh fish shop, Jo - any CC recommendations?

♫Cuz I don't have a home in this life, I have to roam. Got nowhere to lay my head, so I'll follow you instead, and set my gaze on the place I'm going to. Til then I'm homeless, but I'll roam with you...♫

My Simblr: http://natteryaktoad.tumblr.com
Scholar
#23 Old 16th Feb 2018 at 6:57 PM
cementery (or some place of such kind, a "church" will do). A crucial one.


favorite quote: "When ElaineNualla is posting..I always read..Nutella. I am sorry" by Rosebine
self-claimed "lower-spec simmer"
Top Secret Researcher
#24 Old 20th Feb 2018 at 1:04 AM
I built a hospital for Sims that would get sick and would likely die after installing Real Sickness. Sadly, none of them do.
I have a "Blokes' Caf" which is a bar/diner with pool table, darts, etc. I realise now that its placement is completely wrong - among the well-to-do area of Veronaville when it should be nearer the down and outs or in downtown (makes note to self).
I have an art gallery but it needs something more for the Sims to do so they barely go there. I also have a skating rink in the same park as an outdoor wedding area which the Sims love.
Depends on your playing style I think. The lists above are very useful.
Back to top