how did you know your map layout was "the one"?

[TheRevienne]

I’m very fussy when it comes down to map choice, I spent ages on ACNL resetting to get the ‘perfect’ layout for me. For ACNH though i wasn’t too picky since I knew you could change things like rivers, cliffs etc, however, I did want my ‘secret’ beach to be a certain way, and my river mouths to be a certain way. However, when I got my 2nd switch and started my 2nd island I was a lot more picky, as I wanted more specific things for that one, since it was going to be a more specific theme. I found planning the island to be very helpful, like drawing the outline, and going from there, so if you want any help with that I don’t mind helping

 

[sleepydreepy]

For me I wasn't picky at all because I didn't have a concrete plan of what my island was going to look like, only general themes, and I was willing to work with whatever map I chose. The only thing that really mattered to me in terms of set landscape was that I wanted my house to be right by the beach in a nice little nook, which ended up being in the bottom left corner of the map. I actually ended up reseting one time because the map I initially chose had something blocking the bottom left corner (I don't remember if it was a river mouth, peninsula, or what) and I was forced to put my house on the other side of the map which I didn't like. I played with that map for like 10 minutes before deciding to reset because it really bothered me. Thankfully when I did reset I got a map with the bottom left corner free and my house looked great on the corner there. I think my house location mattered a lot to me because in New Leaf I really regretted my house location, and by the time I realized it, I was too far into the game to reset.

Here's a pic of my house. Its right on the beach in a nice little corner just like I wanted. I have no regrets at all, and my house has actually been the one building I have never moved on my island, so I am glad I made the decision to reset when I did.

 

[tajikey]

Simple: 2 south river exits. That's all I wanted.

 

[annex]

I had my town somewhat figured out before the game was released, so I just picked a map that looked like it would work for what I had planned. I wasn't too picky when it came to the dock, etc. I do sometimes get jealous when I see such nice big rocks in others towns. I'm not crazy about mine.

 

[Dunquixote]

I didn’t. I honestly had trouble understanding what were cliffs and how it would look when I got there. I ended up going with a map with the most natural looking river. What mattered more to me was the villagers .

 

[Peach_Jam]

truthfully, I didn't. I also didn't know that everyone had different choices at the beginning LOL I thought we all had the same 3 islands to choose from. I just picked the island that had the nicest looking river heh.
I think it's just a matter of what you're going for. If you don't really have a clear idea from the beginning (like me), then I think it's fine to pick any and just work with what you have to make it your own c:

 

[Blood Eclipse]

All I wanted were peaches, a decent looking map and Resident's Service not to be so close to the airport. I had no clue about anything else like: different color airports, different color nmt items, private beaches, ect - somehow didn't notice airports were different colors, despite resetting like 500 times-or something . I had to read a thread here to finally realise this.

I gotta say I was slighty considering resetting, but then figured I was pretty lucky to have gotten a yellow airport, my favorite color nmt items and a private beach at the top of my map, plus I was way to far in to reset and start over. I don't have the mental stamina to reset another 500 times and then regret it if my nmt items aren't a color I like.

 

[Scrafty]

the only thing i wanted was east and south river exits. if i was resetting now i'd want large rocks on my beach and the largest peninsula

 

[matt2019]

I just kept the map that I started with on my newest island because I liked it

 

[Nooblord]

When I looked at it and didn’t think “ew”. Luckily the first map I really liked had everything else I wanted, so I didn’t have to reset a bajillion times.