Not enough time.

You got it..  You are expected to use lots of time and money.   It's not supposed to be fun (like the original building "game"}  Read through all these posts and you will see that most people are not happy as it is generally complaints.  I am not quite sure why others do it but I use it to pass  the time occasionally.  I do not expect to win mayors contests, design challenges and I never signed up for war.  BUT I have played it on my terms for a number of years  on my terms and am mostly happy with it.  I don't even keep my cities in any  particular working order anymore but just change them around as I want.   You have to decide if your time is worth the return.. Good luck