Neigborhoods, they are the FIX for the late game

[DeckerdJames]

The late game lacks a little bit in city planning. If the neighborhoods could all get their own unique buildings, either the grocery market (food) or the shopping mall (gold), then neighborhood districts would add a good bit to the planning strategy. You might have a nice stretch of coast along some cliffs for three neighbor hoods. You would get to decide between growing a very tall city or going for the gold from the shopping malls.

 

[Oberinspektor Derrick]

The late game lacks because you win shortly after entering it.
Building stuff in neighbourhoods doesn't really matter when you win within 20+ turns.