Use the cheapest gravel roads initially. They have no maintenance cost and are sufficient for low-density traffic.
Lowering taxes on retail, industry, and property can jumpstart demand. Once the city is profitable, you can slowly increase taxes to fund better services. CITYSTATE II(2021)
Start with low-density residential zones and include about one retail shop for every five residential units. Use the cheapest gravel roads initially
Monitor the notifications for education and health. Build schools and hospitals only when demand arises, and keep them away from industrial pollution. CITYSTATE II(2021)
Pause the game immediately upon loading and set "National Contribution" in the budget window to zero. This ensures all early income stays in the city rather than flowing back to the national fund. 2. Early Development & Zoning