How to Get to the City in The Sims 4: A Sim Expert’s Guide
Want to explore the bustling metropolis of San Myshuno or hop between different worlds in The Sims 4? Navigating the game’s locations is simpler than you might think. Here’s how to access the city map and move your Sims around with ease:
The primary way to get to the city view (or, more accurately, the world management screen) is to click the World Management button located in the top-right corner of your screen while you’re playing with a Sim. This button looks like a little world icon with a house on it. Alternatively, you can press the ‘M’ key on your keyboard. This will immediately transport you to the map of your current world, where you can then choose to travel to other lots within that world or select a different world entirely.
Understanding World Navigation in The Sims 4
The Sims 4 offers a seamless experience when it comes to moving your Sims around. Unlike older iterations of the game, where loading screens were more frequent, The Sims 4 uses a streamlined system that allows you to jump between locations relatively quickly. Let’s break down the different aspects of travel and world management:
Accessing the World Management Screen
As mentioned above, the World Management button and the ‘M’ key are your primary tools for accessing the map. Once you are on the map, you’ll see a view of your current world, with all available lots displayed. From there, you can:
- Select a Lot: Click on any residential or community lot to travel there with your active Sim(s).
- Change Worlds: In the top-left corner, you’ll see a smaller world icon. Clicking on this will display a list of all the worlds available in your game (including those added by expansion packs). You can then select a different world to explore.
Moving Households Between Worlds
Want to relocate your entire family to a new town? Here’s how to move a household:
- Open Your Sim’s Phone: In the bottom-left corner of the screen, click on your active Sim’s phone icon.
- Select “Move Household”: Navigate to the second tab (the one with the car icon) and choose the “Move Household” option.
- Choose a New Home: You will be taken to the world management screen. Select a lot to move your family into. If the lot is already occupied, you’ll have the option to evict the current residents.
- Consider Free Real Estate Cheat: To move your Sims however you want, open the cheat window. Then, type in Testingcheats on. Press enter. Type in freerealestate on. Press enter.
Traveling vs. Moving
It’s important to distinguish between traveling and moving.
- Traveling is a temporary visit to another lot. Your Sims will return to their home lot when you’re done playing at the destination.
- Moving involves changing your Sims’ permanent residence to a new lot.
Exploring Different Worlds
The Sims 4 offers a variety of worlds, each with its unique atmosphere and activities. Some notable worlds include:
- Willow Creek: A charming, family-friendly town inspired by the American South.
- Oasis Springs: A desert-themed world with a vibrant nightlife scene.
- San Myshuno: A bustling city with diverse neighborhoods and cultural festivals.
Each world offers different residential and community lots, as well as unique collectible items, fish, and plants. Experimenting with different worlds can add a whole new layer to your gameplay.
Using the Map for Other Actions
The world map isn’t just for travel. You can also use it to:
- Manage Households: Click on a household to view its members and their relationships.
- Build and Buy: Enter build mode directly from the map to customize lots.
- View Lot Information: See details about the lot, such as its size, value, and resident Sims.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do I visit another town in The Sims 4?
To visit another town, go to the World Management screen by pressing ‘M’ or clicking the icon in the top-right corner. Then, click the small world icon in the top-left corner to see a list of all available worlds. Select the world you want to visit, and then click on a lot within that world to travel there.
2. Can I live in San Myshuno (the city) in The Sims 4?
Absolutely! San Myshuno, introduced with the City Living Expansion Pack, is a fully functional residential world. Your Sims can live in apartments or penthouses and enjoy the vibrant city life.
3. How do I move my Sims to a new house in the same neighborhood?
Go to the World Management screen. Click on the current house. Choose the Move Out Household. Then click on the house you want to move to, and you’ll get the option to move in. You might need to evict the tenants first, and you might need to have more money to afford the move.
4. What do I do if I can’t see inside my house or get my Sims to go inside?
This is a known glitch. Try going to the World Management screen, playing as a different household, and then returning to your original household. This often resolves the issue.
5. What is the best world to live in in The Sims 4?
This is subjective and depends on your play style! Windenburg (from the Get Together Expansion Pack), Oasis Springs, and San Myshuno are all popular choices, offering a mix of urban life, natural settings, and engaging events.
6. How can I make traveling easier in The Sims 4?
Unfortunately, The Sims 4 doesn’t have a truly open world like The Sims 3. However, the loading screens are relatively short. To speed things up, ensure your game is installed on a fast storage device (like an SSD) and that your computer meets the game’s recommended specifications.
7. Is the City Living Expansion Pack worth it?
Yes, definitely! The City Living Expansion Pack adds a ton of content to the game, including the vibrant city of San Myshuno, new careers, apartments, festivals, and a generally more diverse and engaging gameplay experience.
8. Can Sims get married and not live together?
Yes! When Sims living on separate lots get married, one will automatically move into the lot they get married on. However, you can then have that Sim move out using a newspaper or computer if you want them to live on separate lots.
9. Is there a secret location in The Sims 4?
Yes, there are several! Sylvian Glade (in Willow Creek) and the Forgotten Grotto (in Oasis Springs) are two of the most well-known secret locations. These hidden worlds offer unique collectibles and a chance to explore something new.
10. How can I teleport my Sim in The Sims 4?
To teleport your Sim, first enable cheats by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C (or Cmd+Shift+C on Mac) and typing testingcheats true. Then, click anywhere on the ground while holding Shift and select “Teleport Me Here.”
11. Can I travel to different worlds with a baby in The Sims 4?
Yes, you can travel with babies and toddlers! They’ll come along with the active Sim(s) you choose to travel with. Make sure to pack their essentials, like food and diapers!
12. How do I move into an apartment in San Myshuno?
When you move a household into San Myshuno, you can choose to move them into an apartment. Apartments vary in price and size.
13. What if I don’t have any expansion packs? Can I still explore different locations?
Yes! Even without expansion packs, The Sims 4 base game offers several worlds to explore, including Willow Creek and Oasis Springs. These worlds offer plenty of gameplay opportunities and are a great starting point for new players.
14. How do I reset a Sim if they are stuck?
Open the cheat console (Ctrl+Shift+C) and type resetSim FirstName LastName, replacing “FirstName” and “LastName” with the Sim’s actual name. This will reset the Sim and usually resolves issues with them getting stuck.
15. I’m new to The Sims 4. Where can I learn more about gameplay tips and strategies?
There are tons of online resources available! Check out online forums, YouTube tutorials, and websites dedicated to The Sims 4. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org also provides insightful information on games and learning.