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Specific set for starting a city?

LaserBeakDuckLaserBeakDuck Member Posts: 9
in Building and Techniques
I have plenty of Lego sets, but I have never got any of the modular buildings or city themed sets. I know almost nothing about them, so I was wondering if there is a specific set that would be good to start a city.

Comments

  • MrJacksonMrJackson Member Posts: 454
    #60134 Fun in the Park. Great selection of mini figures and something you can branch out from. You'll need buildings, which, ironically enough, are few and far between in the City theme.  There are three new Creator 3-in-1 buildings coming out hopefully next month. They're a great place to start. 
    catwranglerjosekalel
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,836

    LaserBeakDuck said:

    I have plenty of Lego sets, but I have never got any of the modular buildings or city themed sets. I know almost nothing about them, so I was wondering if there is a specific set that would be good to start a city.


    #60097, but only if it is on sale for around 100-120 USD (which it has been at in the past). The 'mini mods' for Creator are not bad either: #31050 Deli, #31068 House, #31065 Townhouse ; #31069 Villa, #31067 Poolside holiday; #31036 Toy& Grocery shop (I think out of stock now but may still find them for around retail on secondary markets), #31026 Bike Shop and cafe (same as #31036- only if you can find them at around retail or under).
    The nice thing about all the current production sets are that you can usually find them on sale for at least 20% off, so be patient and you will find them on sale as they will be out for a while still.
    josekalel
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,836

    SumoLego said:

    Just start with Assembly Square and the GBHQ.  Everything else from the modular and fairground lines will seem a lot cheaper after that.


    I would say Assembly square over the GB HQ, as I think there is more flexibility with what can be done with the Square.
    Ultimately I chose to recommend the #60097 (if they can find it at a discounted price though) as that has a a car dealership, a LEGO store, a tram, Coffee kiosk, etc. and, yes, a helicopter. but many aspects of a town in one set, but again if you find it on a good sale price you can get it for around 120-140 USD (or cheaper)instead of its retail price. I expect the Assembly Square to always be at the price it is at until it goes away.
  • sid3windrsid3windr Member Posts: 1,460
    #60097 was the first to come to mind here, too, when I saw the question.

    Of course modulars are very nice, but they're expensive and not totally like "LEGO City buildings" (a lot bigger and more detailed, and no helicopter!).
  • Boardshorts85Boardshorts85 Member Posts: 183
    I'd echo other people sentiments, but I'd add that it entirely depends on what you're going for...

    I started with the GBHQ as a gift from the little lady.  The intent wasn't to start a city, but rather to build a set that had dual value for me as both LEGO and Ghostbusters related.  

    As time went on, she knew I was interested in the modulars but hesitant to go down that road from a price standpoint. After she gave me the PC as a b-day gift and I picked up the PS on Black Friday, the flood gates were opened and within 3 months I had all of them, from Pet Shop to Assembly Square.

    BUT!  I'm not trying to set up a full city.  No space for that.  My desire is to just have a streetscape on a bookshelf.  This jives with my dual-life as an AFOL and an Architect and keeps her happy from the standpoint that I'm only mildly taking over the apartment.

    Buying new furniture to more suitable display the collection is about as far as I'm willing to press this issue at the moment.  (BB and AS are still awaiting assembly...)


    catwranglerGoldchainsMegtheCatSumoLegopreverejosekalelsklambgmonkey76jhuntin1
  • sid3windrsid3windr Member Posts: 1,460
    ^ This... is how it starts. :D
    Boardshorts85SumoLegojosekalelCaptainPirateMancatwrangler
  • MegtheCatMegtheCat Member Posts: 500
    ^^All of that empty space...
    Boardshorts85josekalel
  • Boardshorts85Boardshorts85 Member Posts: 183

    MegtheCat said:

    ^^All of that empty space...


    Unfortunately its not exclusively LEGO storage - just more conducive than our previous setup.
  • Bosstone100Bosstone100 Member Posts: 1,431
    ^^ I have that set. The crane is still built.
  • josekaleljosekalel Member Posts: 683
    I'll echo what most said here...

    First, it depends on what you want to do or what is in your mind (a true city, or a small streetscape, like most of us have). I'm sure this will also depend on how much space and money you can dispose of.

    Second, to quote Dexter Jettster, it depends...on how big your pocketbook is (I love this quote from AOTC). If you are on a tight budget (who isn't), then the smaller LEGO Creator sets are your starting point. Definitely get #31050 Corner Deli (it's been $21 these past couple of hours, a great buy) and take it from there. There's been really good sales lately, and some good prices on fire and police departments, don't forget about those. If spending a couple hundred dollars in your first big purchase is not a problem, get Assembly Square, Fun in the Park, and any other modulars you can afford.

    Third...go wild. Your LEGO City/Town/Streetscape is like a city in SimCity, so be your own urban planner (a dream of mine) and have fun. 
    CaptainPirateMansid3windr
  • CaptainPirateManCaptainPirateMan Member Posts: 353
    Before you know it, you end up with this in your basement, lol. We are getting ready to do a proper update NEXT week, but this video at least gives you the idea of HOW much money, time, and space Lego can take up, lol.

    https://youtu.be/mfbScFY_8Wg
    Boardshorts85josekalelSumoLego
  • josekaleljosekalel Member Posts: 683
    ^Looking forward for the updates!!

    Although, to be fair, if I had a basement I would be torn between having a home theatre room, or a LEGO room...
    CaptainPirateMan
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,836

    prevere said:

    Actually, this is how it starts...




    I still think this really is one of the best LEGO that really explains what LEGO is about.
    SumoLegocatwranglerBrickmanjosekaleloldtodd33
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,239
    ^ There's no helicopter.
    madforLEGOcatwranglersid3windrPitfall69pharmjod
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,239
    edited May 2017
    CaptainPirateMan said:
    Before you know it, you end up with this in your basement, lol.

    You're going to run out of space.  Gonna need a bigger boat... table.

    The funny thing is, I had the same display of 20 or so mid-'90's pirate ships lines up on a blue felt table.
    CaptainPirateMan
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,836

    SumoLego said:

    CaptainPirateMan said:
    Before you know it, you end up with this in your basement, lol.


    You're going to run out of space.  Gonna need a bigger boat... table.

    The funny thing is, I had the same display of 20 or so mid-'90's pirate ships lines up on a blue felt table.


    My buddy had the same, every ship of those old themes except I think one. He got most of them from me actually when I was buying old LEGO lots on eBay (before prices for lots became stupidly expensive) It really is a sight to behold.

    CaptainPirateMan
  • TheWeekInBricksTheWeekInBricks Member Posts: 6
    @Boardshorts85 Just want to jump in and say I own those shelves, and they are absolute sin to keep dust-free. If I had the chance again, I'd much rather spend the extra dough for something with glass on the front, instead of on the bottom!
    Boardshorts85
  • CircleKCircleK Member Posts: 1,055
    I would stick to the creator 3n1 buildings as they scale well with the buildings from the City theme. #31050 The Corner Deli has been on sale off and on this week. If you can find the #31026 Bike Shop and Cafe (retired) for a decent price then I would grab it as well. #31065 Park Street Townhouse is a nice way to add some residential space to your city as well. Those three sets alone gives you a great start to a city street. 
  • josekaleljosekalel Member Posts: 683
    @LaserBeakDuck I have seen #31026 The Bike Shop Cafe at HEB Plus stores, so you might wanna give it a try. 
  • Boardshorts85Boardshorts85 Member Posts: 183

    TheWeekInBricks said:

    @Boardshorts85 Just want to jump in and say I own those shelves, and they are absolute sin to keep dust-free. If I had the chance again, I'd much rather spend the extra dough for something with glass on the front, instead of on the bottom!


    I was using a big assemblage of Expedit shelves previously, so I'm well accustomed to the never ended dust battle.  Fortunately we found a reasonably priced house cleaner that includes LEGO dusting!
  • Jern92Jern92 Member Posts: 893
    1. Road plates. Specifically straight road plates. Lots and lots of them.

    2. Modular buildings. Get all the available ones to give your city some size and shape.

    3. Fun in the Park. Easiest way to get minifigures for your city in bulk, and you can swap the bodies and legs around to make lots of different combinations.

    4. Vehicles. Buy City sets with vehicles in them. Just pick the cheaper ones to get lots of variety.

    Ta-da! Your city is done!
    josekalel
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,239
    edited May 2017
    Jern92 said:
    1. Road plates. Specifically straight road plates. Lots and lots of them.

    Try to find someone that collects the X-roadway plates.  Otherwise, you'll end up with a sizeable stack of extras.
  • masterX244masterX244 Member Posts: 536
    edited May 2017


    SumoLego said:


    Jern92 said:
    1. Road plates. Specifically straight road plates. Lots and lots of them.



    Try to find someone that collects the X-roadway plates.  Otherwise, you'll end up with a sizeable stack of extras.




    or find a way to use them somehow. Someone (not sure if here or at some other forum) made parking lots or other useful stuff with those extra road ends. Requires a sidewalk made of parts instead of using the existing plate studs for that though
  • josekaleljosekalel Member Posts: 683
    ^I still cannot believe LEGO would make us buy a mostly useless baseplate in order to get the one we usually need. 
  • SumoLegoSumoLego Member Posts: 15,239
    edited May 2017
    I can.  They're $14.99 per two-pack.

    (In a parallel universe, someone is complaining about all of the extra straight road plates they have...)
    madforLEGOjosekalelsid3windrcatwranglerIceCreamClone
  • madforLEGOmadforLEGO Member Posts: 10,836
    Also the #60097 City Square is on sale for $135 on Amazon's US site.
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