Your adventure in The Urbz: Sims in the City begins in a modest apartment on 98th Ave, 3rd Floor. This is your home base for the entire game, the place you return to between social outings, and the first space you get to make your own. Here is everything you need to know about what happens when you arrive, the goals tied to this location, and how to set yourself up before heading into the city.
What happens when you arrive
The moment you step into 98th Ave, 3rd Floor, you meet two characters who matter for the rest of the game:
Darius appears here for the first time. He is one of the key social figures in The Urbz, and your initial interaction with him sets the tone for how reputation works in the city. Pay attention to how he reacts during this opening scene, because building relationships with influential characters like Darius is central to progressing through the game's districts.
Will is introduced as your old friend. He is already familiar with how the city works and wants to show you off right away. Will demonstrates a Power Social during this introduction, using it to try to impress Darius on your behalf. This serves as the game's first hands-on lesson about one of its most important mechanics.
Power Socials are district-specific social interactions that carry more weight than standard conversation options. They can impress, intimidate, or entertain other characters depending on the context. Will's use of one here is the game telling you: these matter, learn them, and use them whenever the opportunity arises.
The furnishing goal
Your apartment arrives mostly empty, and the game gives you a clear objective tied to it:
Add §750 worth of furniture to 98th Ave, 3rd Floor to open a pet Bulldog.
This is one of the earliest goals available, and it rewards you with a companion animal that stays in your apartment. The Bulldog is not just cosmetic; having a pet adds to the lived-in feel of your space and gives you something to interact with at home between city trips.
Here is how to approach the §750 target:
- You do not need to spend exactly §750 in one trip. Any combination of items that totals at least §750 in value counts toward the goal.
- Furniture does not need to match or follow a theme. The game tracks total Simoleon value, not style or placement quality.
- If you are short on cash early on, head into the city first to earn some money through jobs and social interactions, then return to furnish.
- Prioritize items that also serve your Urb's needs. Chairs, beds, entertainment objects, and hygiene items keep your motives up while also contributing to the furnishing total.
Do not rush this goal if your funds are tight. The Bulldog open stays available, and spending your starting cash on furniture before you have a reliable income source can leave you stuck without enough money for city activities.
Customizing your walls
One detail the game surfaces early but does not explain in depth: you can delete and redo the interior walls of your apartment. This means the floor plan is not fixed. If you want a larger living area at the expense of a smaller bedroom, or you want to open up the space entirely, you have that option.
A few things to keep in mind about wall editing:
- Only interior walls can be changed. The exterior walls of the apartment are structural and cannot be removed.
- Deleting a wall is free, but adding new walls may cost Simoleons depending on the game version you are playing.
- Plan your layout around the furniture you intend to buy. A large open room looks empty with only a couple of items, while a few smaller rooms can feel furnished even on a tight budget.
- If you make a layout you regret, you can redo the walls again. The game does not lock you into a single redesign.
This flexibility is unusual for a starting home in a Sims-family game, where apartments and starter lots usually come with fixed layouts. Take advantage of it to create a space that works for your playstyle.
Will's rent and monthly expenses
Will charges you rent once a month. This is an ongoing cost you need to plan for throughout the game, not just at the start. If you spend all your earnings on furniture, clothes, or other purchases without keeping a reserve, you may find yourself unable to pay when rent comes due.
The rent system means:
- You need a steady income source. Jobs, social rewards, and other money-earning activities in the city are not optional; they are required to keep your apartment.
- Budget awareness matters early. Before splurging on expensive furnishings to hit the §750 goal, make sure you have enough left to cover at least one rent cycle.
- Time passes whether you are in your apartment or out in the city. Keep track of roughly where you are in the month so rent does not catch you off guard.
The exact rent amount depends on your progress and game version, but the principle stays the same: treat your apartment as an ongoing expense, not a one-time setup cost.
Heading into the city
Once you have met Darius and Will, learned about Power Socials, and taken stock of your apartment, the game opens up the city for exploration. You are free to leave 98th Ave whenever you want. There is no requirement to furnish first or complete any apartment tasks before heading out.
That said, here is a recommended order for your first session:
- Watch the Power Social demonstration with Will and Darius. This gives you context for how to interact with characters in the city.
- Check your starting funds. Note how much you have and mentally set aside enough for rent.
- If you have cash to spare, buy a few essential furniture items: something to sit on, something to sleep on, and something for hygiene. These keep your motives stable when you return home.
- Head to the city. Focus on meeting people, building reputation, and finding income sources before worrying about the §750 goal.
- Return home periodically to manage your Urb's needs and add furniture as your budget allows.
Your apartment is always available as a retreat. When your motives drop or you need a break from social pressure in the districts, 98th Ave, 3rd Floor is where you recover.
Why this location matters long-term
98th Ave, 3rd Floor is not just a tutorial space. It remains your apartment for the duration of the game. Every piece of furniture you add, every wall you rearrange, and every rent payment you make happens here. Unlike some games where you upgrade to a new home as you progress, The Urbz keeps you rooted in this space while the city around you opens up.
The Bulldog you open at §750 stays with you as well. It becomes part of your home life and gives the apartment personality beyond whatever furniture choices you make.
For players coming from other Sims-family games where housing progression follows a familiar expand-and-upgrade pattern, The Urbz takes a different approach. Your home is fixed; your social standing in the city is what grows. The apartment supports that loop rather than replacing it.
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This guide was originally published on SimGoodie on July 7, 2014, and has been restored from the SimGoodie legacy archive.