NOTE: this is just roughly what i do in my runs, it's not set in stone, all clicks are not even mentioned; feel free to comment, question, critique, adapt, etc~
-
Pause.
-
Using Small Roads, build six 1x5-unit blocks.
-
Zone 4 residential blocks, 1 commercial, and 1 industrial.
-
Lower the budget of both power and water to 50%. 5a. Place Coal Power plant 5b. Connect with powerlines to 5c. Water Drain Pipe and Water Pump Station placings. 5d. Connect both with a water pipe and create a waterpipe network under the road layout.
-
Unpause.
-
Growth begins. Wait for Little Hamlet Milestone.
-
at Little Hamlet: (take small loan) Build first Elementary School and Medical Clinic and increase Education and Healthcare budgets to 150%. 8a. Increase Electricity budget to 75%. 8b. Build more roads for balanced zoning and keep waterpipes prelaid. 8c. Build Landfill site(s). 8d. Raise Commercial and Industrial Taxes, lower as needed.
-
at Worthy Village: (take medium loan) Build first Fire House and Police Station and increase Fire Dept. and Police Dept. budgets to 150%. 9a. Increase Elec. budget to 100% and Water budget to 75%. 9b. Build 2nd Elementary School.
-
at Tiny Town: Build High School, enable Parks and Recreations Policy, Place Carousel parks, Elec. budget up to 125%, Parks budget up to 150%
-
at Boom Town: Elec.budget up to 150%, Water budget up to 100%, Build Cemetery, enable Recreational Use policy, build 2nd Coal Factory(add as needed), build second Fire/Police/Clinic (add as needed) (and as you can afford them)
-
at Busy Town: Water budget up to 125%
13.At Big Town:high density unlocked; you're on your own, big girl~ =) and throw down a University ASAP...keep the coverage of services and utilities balanced with the road layout you are making. GLHF~~
a highlight video of me doing this guide live on stream can be found at
"This is by no means the only way; but it does seem to be the best way thus far"