Covington - Update 61 "Chestnut Hills and South River Bend"

[sandokan]

It's been a LOOOOONG time since I've wrote my last post here at SC4D, but I have to say, your MD worked wonders as my new inspiration to keep playing this wonderful game!

I can't believe how you achieved to get that transportation map with those roads and rails so far from the griddy world of SC4... can you tell me how did you do this??

Thanks for "bringing me back" and thanks for creating and sharing such a pleasant rural landscape! 

PABLO,
from Argentina

[thundercrack83]

Wow! What a mosaic, Jon!

Your transportation networks always baffle me with their intricacy, my friend. And now to see how you've changed it over to the FAR--well, that just makes it all the sweeter! And of course, the maps are always a treat.

Can't wait to see more!

Dustin

[JBSimio]

Mom:  You talk as if you've seen me get all wrapped up and involved like this before!  And you also remember notebooks filled with maps for places that didn't exist?  Hmmm... I guess I'll have to stop telling the shrink that my family didn't pay any attention to me growing up... 

Matt:  Thank you!  FAR is certainly bringing some huge changes to Covington and if I ever get up to Alaska, I'll be buying David at least a couple adult beverages of his choice.    The NC and KY thing (actually, it's probably more TN than KY really) is just one of those tongue in cheek rivalries that seem to be everywhere.  In North Carolina, Tennessee is full of hill billies... whereas in Tennessee, North Carolina is nothing but rednecks.  It's much like northern and southern California.  You guys think that I live amongst a bunch of tree hugging hippies... while we think LA is full of shallow people made of plastic.      

Daniel:  Thank you!  I'm glad you like most of the changes and I appreciate the suggestions.  Most of these FAR upgrades are still very much a work in progress and the towns and villages are the toughest part.  Some things are bound to change because of space limitations, but I'll be fine tuning them as I go along.

David:  Thank you!  I have to agree with Matt when he says these new roads make a world of difference on the closer views.

Arthur:  Thanks, my friend!

Bat:  Thank you so much!

Q-tips:  Thank you for stopping by!  I always said that the older roads were a painful trade off.  They looked great from a distance... and now with the help of people much smarter than I, they can look just as good up close. 

Haljackey:  Thank you!  Very nice to see you here again, my friend!

Joan:  Thank you again, Joan!  Your comments always mean a lot to me.

Guillame:  Thanks!  I'm glad you liked it!

Sandokan:  Welcome to Covington!  Wow... that may be one of the greatest compliments I've ever heard... thank you so much!  You asked about the transportation networks and farms.  I actually did a couple updates last summer detailing exactly the methods I use for making them look as they do.  You can find those updates on Page 11... I hope that helps.   

Dustin:  Thank you!  I'm not sure if they're intricate so much as they are random, but I'm glad you like the results either way! 

Update Time!!!

Update Forty?!?  Really?  I can't believe that I've had that many already, but I guess the folders on my hard drive don't lie... at least not that often.  Thanks so much to all of you that stop by and keep this little thing rolling!  I suppose, having made it this long, I should probably consider some nifty little graphic titles and stuff... but I'm not going to mess with that just yet.  For now, let's leave the country for a minute and head back into Covington to see what's been happening there lately.

40.01


I forgot to make an updated map of this area, so I just pulled up an older one from a previous visit near today's area.  (Obviously, I'm missing most of the newer streets on this map... sorry about that!)  We'll be checking out Harmony Hills today over on the east side of town.  This neighborhood is somewhat sandwiched between Shacktown to the west and the busy commercial corridor of Market Street on the east.  Interstate 40 runs along the south side and Cone Boulevard will eventually be the northern reaches.

40.02


The western most side of Harmony Hills looks like many of Covington's older and well established neighborhoods.  The streets make little or no sense, but they're lined with such stately homes that nobody really seems to care.  It's always surprising to remember that these same streets lead through Shacktown just a few blocks away.

40.03


But since we're in Harmony Hills (and NOT in Shacktown), I'm just going to sit and stare for another minute before we move on.  You just can't beat Covington in late October!

40.04


As with many other older neighborhoods in Covington, the coming of the interstate system brought a fair share of redevelopment with it.  This complex along Interstate 40 is just east of the homes we just saw.  What used to be several blocks of winding side streets were completely remade into this loop of apartment complexes.

40.05


The expressway may have actually helped to keep Harmony Hills a nicer place, though.  Just south of Interstate 40, closer to Indian Village, the redeveloped areas aren't quite so nice.  While these apartments, just off Lee Street, aren't technically part of Harmony Hills, they make a pretty good point of reference.  If anyone ever doubted that a new interstate can completely cut neighborhoods in two, this is a pretty good place to see for yourself.

40.06


Even the more primary roads in this area are a bit of a mess.  This stange corner actually built up around the local church.  Over time it has become a small pocket of shops in the middle of a large residential neighborhood.  It seems strange by modern (American) planning standards, but this actually works out quite well for the local residents.  Who ever thought you could still actually walk to a bakery?!?

40.07


The area around Harmony Elementary School has changed significantly over the years.  The school was built in the late 1940's and many of the historic homes that used to line these streets are no longer here.  The neighborhood is now an eclectic mix of middle class homes ranging from the very small up to the newest suburban styled homes.  Some of the oldest homes remain, but they are getting harder and harder to find as we move further east.

40.08


As we get closer to Market Street, the hills become a little more apparent.  And with the more uneven terrain comes the end to many of the through streets here.  These cul de sacs make up much of the eastern edges of Harmony Hills.  This is one of the oldest ones as some of the houses here probably demonstrate.

40.09


The highest elevations in Harmony Hills are also some of the newest developments.  The houses here are generally larger and the main roads are largely empty of development... at least for now.  There always seems to be a developer somewhere just itching to line these roads with commercial strips, but so far the city continues to turn them elsewhere.  The end result while driving on some of these primary roads is almost a feeling that there isn't anything around.  It also keeps things relatively quiet for the locals who call these neighborhoods home.

40.10


With quiet neighborhoods usually come larger homes.  This isn't an area for the ultra-rich, but it is definitely a neighborhood whose residents can hold their own.  These hills are actually full of doctors and other medical professionals who work either at nearby Judith Cameron Memorial or downtown at Moses Cone Hospitals.

40.11


Just below many of these houses is the beginning of major commercial development along Market Street.  The junction with Interstate 40 here has made this a prime area for big box stores.  Although there are still quite a few smaller shops and older buildings now, they probably won't last long as more and more large corporations are itching to build along this busy corridor.

40.12


The newest region shot shows that I'm really only done with the southern half of Harmony Hills.  I'm sure we'll be back here fairly soon again to see how the rest of it develops.

Thanks for reading!!!
JB

[Nardo69]

Really lovely one. Everythings just flows easy as it should be ...

BTW I send you a PM

Take care!

Bernhard 

[Pat]

Jon looking real good here tonight and love the last pic the best!!!

[Jmouse]

Jon, I can't imagine a more tranquil and lovely scene than the one in 40.02. Unless it's the one in 40.03, and I'll be staring at them for more than just a minute!

That's an interesting story that goes along with 40.06, and there's some truth to the idea of mixing commercial and residential. I've heard that placing CO/CS between R and I is a boon for the commercial district because Sims go through it on their way to work. And after all, one of Covington's many charms is, indeed, the ability to walk to the bakery!

Don't think I've ever seen an intersection and split like the one in 40.11. I'll have to try that one of these days.

Then, looking at the overview, I dread the day when Covington reaches its boundaries, so I won't think about it right now. I'll just go back to the top and stare at those first few pictures again!

Later...
Joan

[danielcote]

Can you add the Mels Cafe and the Duck and goose pub by gascooker back to rickland center because I miss them 

I do agree its good that you have some nice corprate stores coming in but it would be nice if you saved some nice old buildings like spa's and family owned buissneses. 

Nice neighbor hoods to think that nice road leads to shack town!

That looks like that key hole cresent is fairly new!

[Haljackey]

Its always great to see your suburban setting Jon, excellent job with your street layout! 

In addition, nice choice of houses, looks fantastic!  That commercial area is looking good too.

One thing I saw you could do is add a one-way road near the highway interchange with the diagonal avenue so northbound traffic doesn't need to make a sharp right turn.  It won't take up any space, just drag it where the red Mini is in the pic.

Anyways nice update!  I enjoyed it!
-Haljackey

[io_bg]

Superb update, I love these suburbs!

[bat]

Some really fantastic new pictures of your city! It looks really good!

[Nexis4Jersey]

Great update , I like the Suburb feel

[Battlecat]

Beautiful work as always!  That region shot in the latest update is just amazing!

[JBSimio]

Bernhard:  Thank you!  I'm glad you liked it!

Pat:  Thanks!  The region shots always seem so popular here for some reason...

Joan:  Thank you!  I know that the game likes commercial zones between residential and industrial areas, but I alway like creating these little corner shops as well.  I remember quite a few of those single stores scattered amongst the houses where I grew up and I always liked the convenience of having them so close by.  It seems to be a dying trend, but I guess the advantage here is that I can do whatever my little heart desires!    I wouldn't worry too much about the boundaries... there's still a ways to go!

Daniel:  Thanks!  Like I just said to Joan, these little corner shops won't disappear entirely, but we will probably see more big box stores as we continue outwards in Covington.  Much like Mel's Cafe and the Goose Pub, sometimes progress isn't always the best thing.

Haljackey:  Thank you for stopping by again!  The commercial area is just starting to take shape nicely.  I'm hoping it will fill in a little more as that area grows.  Thanks for the suggestion on that corner... I'll definitely add that in next time I work on that tile.   

Io_bg:  Thank you!

Bat:  Thanks as always, my friend!

Nexis4Jersey:  Thank you!

Battlecat:  Thanks!  I'm glad you like it!

Update Time!!!

So I was working on FARring (is that even a real word?) up some of the western portions of the Piedmont region when I stumbled across a town I had forgotten was even there!  I know... how does one misplace and forget about an entire small village?  I don't know for sure, but I blame the government just for lack of anyone better.  Let's take a quick look, shall we?

41.01


If we were to take the US 29 bypass out of High Point, we would head north and eventually come to the town of Cypress Ridge.  It's a pretty small town, but with the hills all around the area it's also a very pretty little spot.

41.02


Told you it was kind of small!  This little town began as little more than a crossroads at the corner of Cypress Ridge Road and the old US 29 highway.  The railroad runs just to the west of town, but since the tracks are up along the ridge they really don't do much here but pass by.  When the new bypass was built connecting High Point with Interstate 40 to the north, the town slowly began to grow.

41.03


There are only four small businesses here in the center of town, although a couple more have sprung up near the exit ramps from the freeway.  The houses are still set fairly far apart, although demand is rising here.  Cypress Ridge is beginning to become a bedroom community for commuters into High Point and prices here have begun to go up as investors turn their eyes towards that idyllic small town charm.

41.04


This street winding up the hill above town is a prime example of the newer developments here.  The street formerly ended at the base of the hill, but was later extended to loop back to Old US 29.  Several larger homes have recently gone up to take advantage of the views across the valley.

41.05


Just to the west of town, Cypress Ridge Road winds between the hills and beneath the railroad tracks.  There isn't much else out this way so I guess we'll just turn around and head east instead.

41.06


East of town, Cypress Ridge Road works its way up over the hills before descending back down and ending at Pleasant Valley Road.  It's actually a pretty little drive and there are a number of houses lining this country road.  The hilltop homes offer stunning views over Squirrel Valley and on some days you can actually see all the way north to Kernersville and Pleasant Valley from here.

41.07


Although Cypress Ridge Road officially ends here, a quick turn onto Pleasant Valley Road brings us to Crystal Lake Road which would take us through the rest of the hills and ultimately all the way to the Cone River just south of Covington.  We'll definitely continue that drive... but that will be for another day.

Thanks for reading!!!
JB

[Ennedi]

The FAR/FARR will be a great addition to Covington, now closeups will look as perfect as general views 
My favourite pics: 41.05 and 41.06.

I'm very glad that one of my most favourite MDs is still developed!

Adam

[danielcote]

nice update I especialy like the train trestle!  

So does this mean you can't put them back  

[sandokan]

I think I revised this MD for at least 20 times now. And I can't help myself... I'm still amazed! I admire the way you use the new FAR puzzle pieces. I'm trying to do it myself at my huge map, but I'm very slow at doing that, and I'm only placing the roads!!!

Congratulations on an excellent update. Soon you will have to tell me how to create a beautiful train overpass like the one you showed us in this update, my friend!

Saludos!
PABLO,
from Argentina

[bat]

Nice work there! That's a beautiful area!

[calibanX]

JB, I've said it before and I'm gonna say it again. Your road maps are amazing. Google Maps has nothing on you  The curved roads are exactly what you needed I think. They look great. Looking forward to more.

Geoff

[Jmouse]

Jon, your ideas about creating the quintessential rural region are very much like mine. Only difference is your ability to achieve the look, and my lack of it!

Cypress Ridge is a beautiful little town, and the fact that it's on the verge of becoming a haven for commuters is over-the-top realistic! Just hope it won't lose too much of its charm in the process, though. Experience has shown that small-town residents often take a stand against too much progress, so maybe the same will hold true here. Folks still treasure that morning walk to the bakery!

Later...
Joan

[Pat]

Jon a wonderful update here and a most breathtaking one at that sir!!! 41.05 is my favorite shot by far and its just breathtaking how you pulled it off!!!!