Lowering taxes on retail, industry, and property can jumpstart demand. Once the city is profitable, you can slowly increase taxes to fund better services.
Use the cheapest gravel roads initially. They have no maintenance cost and are sufficient for low-density traffic.
Build only what you need. Avoid "future-proofing" with expensive power plants early on; simple water towers and diesel generators are more cost-effective for a small population. 3. Economic and Political Management CITYSTATE II(2021)
Choose a relatively flat plot of land without excessive water or hills to minimize expensive terraforming early on.
To maximize your early growth, transfer the entire national fund (typically 150,000 crates) into your first city’s budget. Lowering taxes on retail, industry, and property can
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
High-density zones and advanced manufacturing require high land values. Use parks and plazas strategically to boost value in specific districts. 4. Expansion & Nation Building They have no maintenance cost and are sufficient
As your population grows (reaching 750 unlocks the Government HQ), you can enact policies. High-impact early policies include: