can you live on your "retail" lot if you open up shop?

This is something that I miss SO MUCH from sims 2, I loved being able to have a 'in home' business. Like having an 'apartment' above a bakery and such. It was so much fun. To do so in 4, I basically buy the smallest lot that's completely barren then move my sim over to the actual lot where the business is being built. My latest game had a couple (with children) living on the same lot as their clinic. This was the (starter) set up.

https://78.media.tumblr.com/0c4608a2149ba55a14619982b93bec88/tumblr_inline_ozyhm0a0Mi1ueo9io_500.png

https://78.media.tumblr.com/d8b364bac1f3b16b58827ef9e0c75218/tumblr_inline_ozyhm7UfQY1ueo9io_500.png

When the children came along, I simply extended the area a bit and added on a bedroom. It was very small but it worked since it was only two children that were usually at school and when home were helping in the clinic.

(BTW, that clinic was built by Trstmeimaliar (origin ID) if you like the lay out)

what do you mean you can't lock the doors? i build apartments on every retail lot and am able to lock the door to everyone but household/sim owner. i only have businesses in willow creek though. is this something that happens in particular neighborhoods?

"shezoe;c-16201226" wrote:
what do you mean you can't lock the doors? i build apartments on every retail lot and am able to lock the door to everyone but household/sim owner. i only have businesses in willow creek though. is this something that happens in particular neighborhoods?

Some comments, and this thread in general, were created before door locking was added to the game. All doors can be locked now in any world.

I had several sims live on their retail lot, either in a dedicated apartment, top floor or basement, or a separate building. It works fine, but it's easy to forget living a regular life, lol. And, I did this only with single sims, a young couple or a mature couple. I think it might be too much plunder even with kids (and pets?) running about. Depending on what business you run of course.

"Simmerville;c-16201287" wrote:
I had several sims live on their retail lot, either in a dedicated apartment, top floor or basement, or a separate building. It works fine, but it's easy to forget living a regular life, lol. And, I did this only with single sims, a young couple or a mature couple. I think it might be too much plunder even with kids (and pets?) running about. Depending on what business you run of course.

It can be a bit of a hassle.
I've only tried it with two YA siblings and two cats living on a vet clinic lot. When they go to school/work and are done they automatically go to your actual home lot, so you have to remember to click the "Bring Sim here" option everytime. And if all your Sims are at work/school and the first one comes back home then you'll be redirected to your home lot.
Another thing I find annoying is the handling of the finances. Like I need some money in my vet clinic account to buy/build stuff on the vet lot, but I also need some money on my household account to start paintings, cook food etc. It's confusing and annoying.

So all in all I do like the concept of living on your lot, but once again another Sims game handled it better (I'm talking about TS2 here where you could just create a business on your home lot).

really?? omfg how is your layout?

The only thing I can think of that you can't do on a retail lot is have your baby there. Not literally birth your baby at the store, but have the bassinet and baby on the retail lot.

okay ... one question tho ... i want to open a small shop -- but how do i be able to afford because i don't want to use the money cheat ... wahhh -- i want to build it start up ...

There is no 'no bills' aspiration or reward as far as I know.

@Evalen kinda confused ... can you do a screenshot?