As you begin the game and get past all the approvals to allow for posting (probably the one downside to this game) you get introduced to Kristy Brown. She walks you through how to start your city. From building roads and houses to growing your city through new XXX.
As you complete the first stages you then begin to work through the "special" tasks of the game that give you boosts in experience. The first taks you get is Chapter 1 in the series. It begins with more learning of how to run your city. The first tasks is to collect money, or as the game refers to it as Simoleans, with the second being to collect materials which eventually are used to upgrade buildings. Once completed you receive the Mayor's house or as I like to think of it my house. You also close it off by naming your city.