Like some others have said, the best map is what you make of it. Maybe think about the following criteria? (my criteria are in parenthesis)
- What do you want your house or other characters' houses to be surrounded by?
(my house to be secluded in the center of town and surrounded by water, second house on top of a "hill" next to the cliff)
- Look at the PWPs and have an idea of what areas/attractions you want to develop.
(playground and chill-out area next to town tree, windmill next to Re-Tail and the Roost on "main street")
- What's the feel you're going for?
(rural, quiet, goes in a circle, watery?)
- Convenience of routes between Re-Tail, dock, train station, etc.
- Preference of river shape (related to other criteria), location of slopes leading to the beach, etc.
- Town fruit, grass shape, starting villagers, etc.