Update: haven't got to proper game playing yet. Still trying to set up my Starting point. I like the Appalosa(sp?) Plains combo lots but most don't fit on the available lots or the ones you place so I've been custom making my own.
Then I spent hours looking for dumspters to place for diving. Got frustrated and gave up. (found them later while looking for something else. isn't that just the way). The last day I've been trying to get the home schooling function to work. Turns out you need both City hall and School in order for the mod to work properly. Home Schooling is vital to my game plan so I had to rework things a little.
I'm starting out with Sunset Valley 2, turning the fishing spot into a popular tourist rest stop. The Grocery Store/Diner and Consignment store where built by an old couple to cater to the tourists who pass through. (original plan) Their sons run a small information and security centre (civic centre) and there a run down abandoned boarding school near by.
I think I saw something in the mods that lets you turn off public school options. Anyway the school/stadium and civic centre are off limits to my family until they have unlocked and bought them. Which also goes with my theme that the founders don't trust the government or their facilities.
I'm off to start my game properly now. I will post the final draft of my backstory and the guidelines of my combo challenge on the society site. Hopefully to be followed up soon with my first upload of story and pics.
Recap: I intend to try combining the A&E Challenge with the Runaway Challenge and Llandros09's Hybrid Baby Challenge.