5 Tips to Plan and Start a Long-term City in Cities: Skylines

Guide on how to plan and start a successful city in Cities: Skylines.

Cities: Skylines is a city-building game developed by Colossal Order and published by Paradox Interactive.

Map used in the example: Azure Golf (Sunset Harbor DLC)

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - Tip 1: Pick an appropriate map
04:41 - Tip 2: Envision the final product of your city
07:15 - Tip 3: Plan the main highway network
10:00 - Tip 4: Start with a "starter town"
11:10 - Tip 5: Be patient & don't rush it

#CitiesSkylines

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'Deep Forest Sessions'

[rolandaustria]

The technique I do so that I don’t get bored with my city (even if it’s filled with problems or the game becomes too easy!) is that I create neighborhoods/districts with a purpose. Each time I construct an area, I imagine its character and story. So it gives my city life and a natural growth. My city has a soul and I spend so much time exploring my city! I never get tired of it.

[Sportsmonkey]

#3 Planning the highway for long term growth is the hardest just my opinion

[Tchelow]

The 'don't rush it' is the most important in my opinion. Most of the times it kills your city.

[saulocodes]

I wish I could build highways the way you do. thanks for all the tips! I loved it.
Ironically this will lead me to start yet another city

[BiffaPlaysCitiesSkylines]

Some great tips, thanks for sharing :-)

[seangibbons]

I wish more content creators took this kind of top down look at planning the “big picture.” Great work.

[oliwiam]

very helpful. i usually work on one city for months, till it gets as big as my computer cant handle it anymore hahha. what i always look at is perfect map, i can spend days choosing and trying out maps because i must love it. then im cleaning in my mods and assets folders so i wont get annoyed and have to look for new assets during gameplay. i also sketch a lot of ideas on my ipad. i download the map pictures and draw over them. and of course i plan highway connections ahead. i usually play without infinite money so drawning and sketching off gameplay is essential since i cant just buy everything at once.

[MrGovtCheese]

Good video. Especially tip #5: Be patient & don't rush it. I stopped looking at it as a competitive game to get a high population as quickly as possible. Instead, build each area as if you, your family, and friends had to live or work there every day and it will completely change your perspective and how your city looks. You'll care a lot more about leisure, parks, and aesthetics if you occasionally drop to street-view and imagine yourself living there.

[JoCE]

Console is so crippled without mods. All I need is traffic manager, 25 tiles, and maybe a map editor. It's so annoying.

[johnterpack]

I've learned to open every new map in the map editor before playing on it. It's amazing how many maps have broken roads or just unplayable layouts. The editor lets me fix major problems and do a bit of tidying without having to worry about city maintenance.

[chiliplayer]

Having an initial plan about the highway layout is something I actually enjoy a lot - unfortunately I had so many cities started, where the layout wasn't sufficient in the long run. On a new city I just tend to think "too small" and that's getting back, once the city grew bigger. So planning the main nodes ahead is a real thing when it comes to big cities.
Also always plan for some highway bypass, so all the traffic just going from one side of the map to the other side isn't clogging up the city

[macnolds]

A few things: You got me exactly, when you talked about players who quit after the first major traffic issue (lol). Secondly, those illustrative maps where you discussed planning your city were amazing.

[kr]

I enjoyed both seasons a lot. You're videos are cozy, especially with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Can't wait for season 3

[farisshinichi]

The last one of tips really really a true problem for me.. sometimes when I watch other players like u is building a city that looks so stunning so I try to follow it.. but what I've done is just messed it up..😆 anyway thanks for these tips.. hope I can apply it in the future..😁

[niknak]

Thank you for this video! Tip 5 is so simple but I need it constantly reminded to me because once I get a couple milestones I start speeding up what I build and then get upset how it turns. Gonna try right down next time I play! Loving the content between the main D&M series!

[MohammadImranM]

Perfect timing, just started a new city build. Will use the guidelines to set some plans. Thanks Target!

[chiarag]

Hey! I just wanted you to know that I adore your videos. I've been following you for a while and your timelapse builds have helped me through very difficult times - they are a little happy place for me to come back to when I'm feeling down. You are talented, creative and always choose the best background music.

I really appreciate all of your more technical videos as well - building such huge maps seems really complicated, but you make it seem so easy. Love

[mmettler]

Great video! You described my cycle of 'traffic causes a headache so I quit' perfectly, and this was the first video I watched after not playing for 8 months. Definitely motivating!!

[farhanari]

I like how you design road, because it match with my preference! It always irritate me when, the zoning blocks unaligned between the roads. And yes, symmetrical or geometrical(?) road is pleasing to the eyes! Keep up the work!

[Sabamonster]

Even with 11k likes... this video is still underrated. Extremely well articulated and thought through. More importantly, it's relatable. You touch on things most people don't even though most (If not at all) experience them. Getting frustrated with a city because it didn't turn out the way you wanted is something that is GOING to happen. It's not a matter of if but when and how you deal with that could be the difference between ending up with a city you love or quitting the game. Well done man.