Are there certain things you do when starting a new game?

Not organized enough for that... I wish I were. If I didn't have about 20 save games I actually use and was starting over completely . I'd put a bowling alley, spa, and some basegame restaurants in a starter save then build from there. My template save gets lost in the shuffle of my saves currently. I do usually have to add those in by hand when I run across not having them. I actually wish I'd put all of my business places in Newcrest also.. it gets confusing to remember when I move between my themed saves.