Started with Modulars, now what to add to a Lego town?

[Huaojozu]

The Modulars captured my attention due to their complexity both in terms of interior and extrerior, as well as using creative building techniques. So I bought a couple and am working my way through them, but I'm already thinking ahead. Assuming one has all the modulars (they like/can afford), what would be the next logical step in a development of a Lego town? I'm not really interested in people saying a Police Station, simply because there hasn't been a Modular for it and a town should have it. I am content to wait for any specific buildings that may (or may not) come in the Modular range, like a Police station, Post office, School and others. 

What comes to mind for me are four things:

1) Parks and general recreation areas

2) Cars to make streets look more crowded

3) Public transport (with trains being a topic on their own)

4) Residential housing (since the Modulars will never bring enough unique residential buildings like the Pet Shop half)

 

I also loved an idea I saw somewhere of having construction equipment integrated by way of designating a lot as "in construction" and half building a set (or anything really) there.

 

Any other ideas in this vein? Any tips for sets to start this "town expansion" with?

[gotoAndLego]

Since they are still affordable, consider buying several Pet Shop?TownHouse so you can make a block of townhouses. Four would look great and you could change some of the details so they look like different families live there.

Shouldn't be too hard to sell just the Pet Shop.

[Agent 86]

The "Fun in the Park" is a good starting point for a Modular-esque park. Although, two sets would probably be better. There are some good sources of inspiration for Modular parks on Lego IDEAS. The Temple of Airjitsu from Lego Ninjago would also provide an awesome base for a Japanese garden / park.

For cars and public transport, I buy what looks good from the Lego City range. I find that "standard" looking vehicles are somewhat rare, but a couple are normally released each year (e.g. garbage recycling truck). I don't have a bus yet, but it seems like we may receive a "bus station" in Lego City this year, so that would be a good starting point for adding public transportation.

The Creator houses are generally capable of being modified to become an 8-stud wide Modular-esque house. Or you can just include them in their regular form. Some of the Creator sets require multiples to build a more substantial looking building, but many fans like a variety in size / scale and use them in their original form.

Lego City has just finished a "Construction" theme, so you should still be able to find a range of "Construction" sets, some of which include parts of buildings being "demolished", which could easily be re-worked as buildings being built. There is a great project on Lego Ideas for a Modular construction site which should provide plenty of inspiration.

[Venunder]

It depends on your budget and the space you have for your city along with the era you wish to build. 

I would go with some of these:-

Some Road plates to build up your streets or with more money you'll need lots of Black bricks with white and yellow plates for your road lines to build a snot road system. 

A couple of Friends Grand Hotels put together for a hotel, with a MOC roof. Same for the Friends Performance School.

Several Friends Grocery shops, a couple of Fun in the Park sets. A couple of City Squares for the Trams and some buildings.

Any City Policestation and Firestation sets.

If you have a river running through your city, join a couple of Web Warrior Bridges together as a crossing. Or go with 2 city Ferry sets.

If you are having a Railway through your city wait for the next Passenger Train set unless you can get hold of the current white version for less than £66 each.

You'll probably need a couple of the latest Train Stations to make a decent sized City Station. 

The 2017 City Pizza van and a vew other City vehicle sets. 

If you have space and money a couple of Simpsons Houses will make a nice richer high class suburb.

Several Vacation Getaways would make a lower class suburb.

Go with a few PAB cups of vegetation to help buiild up your park areas and/or surrounding landscape, Some Creator or Friends Tree filled sets might help.

[Dakar A]

You should take time to design your own modulars! They can be housing (or whatever you want), and if you take a critical eye to them you can see what makes a build feel like a modular vs. not. It will also give you a greater appreciation for the modulars you already have in terms of how they are designed. Plus it'll keep consistency with the other modulars you already have, unlike, say, the creator buildings.

[Vindicare]

One thing I really like doing for inspiration is checking out town set ups on YouTube. They give you everything you need.espe silly good, in some cases, for little extra bits you didn't even think of.