I prefer to cluster buildings - especially houses. That speeds up Tax collection once all the houses in a group "pop" at the same time. I also lay out my streets as soon as I buy new property. That keeps me from having a sloppy layout. Having a nice, regular type street grid also helps me collect taxes. I don't have to wander around that way. I just follow the streets from one side to the other and collect along the way. Believe me, once your town gets to be 50 or 60 blocks large, you can waste a ton of tap time looking for stuff if your town isn't organized. And remember to leave room for your monorail, if you have one. I get more of a kick out of building and rebuilding the monorail than anything else. Have fun!
http://i.imgur.com/xXVxtdl.jpg?1