I like to have alot of cities, just my style. But I also have a problem of city (not building) maintenance costs really screwing me early in the game. It's not a problem on the lower AI levels because eventually I build enough cottages, get communism, and skyrocket past everyone, but on levels above prince its too late to catch up. Oh yeh, and I usually play continents so it's a long time before I find another civ, and when I do their tech tree is shocking.

So my options are A) somehow better manage my cities early on to avoid the maintenance vacuum B) accept the maintenance vacuum, and get a better way to keep up with science early on C) just build fewer cities.


ideas?

Don't stay stuck on strategies that were specificially designed out of CIV?

eventually I build enough cottages
Maybe you shouldn't wait until eventually; build enough cottages as you're expanding! And in your tech/wonder/city site choices, try prioritizing things that give you money.

I'm assuming you build the Forbidden Palace.

Versailles is also a great wonder for expanding midgame, although it sure is darn expensive.