I 'gave-up' and started farming...

Holy necro thread batman!

Here is an update...farming actually worked out for me. I farmed for 3 months after this thread and managed to expand to 10x10. Then I deleted the houses and rebuilt one of the nicest Springfields in the universe.

Once I am done polishing my Springfield I will probably farm the edges until I finally reach 13x13. Then I can blow-up my town and build something from scratch again.