QueenWitch asked me to post a couple of screenshots of my cities. I really only have two kinds of cities - ones that are designed to build resources and make sests - and those that are designed to build troops. In the long term, the key to making prestige is building troops in all your troop buildings 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
I usually have 1-2 resource cities for every troop city. So right now, for example, with 7 cities, I have 3 troop cities and 4 resource cities. the next city will be a resource city. As you can see, troop cities still have lots of population - this becomes important later when you want to put in monster orders for troops - and allows the city to produce enough food to be self-sustaining.
You'll notice that i don't always have an amphitheater - and i have never used an Outpost. I only ever have one Warehouse. I stuff as many cottages into every city as i can - but you need to have all the basic buildings in every city in my opinion.
I am always happy to answer questions - best to send them in an email because i am often afk even if I appear to be online.
Here is an example of a mixed city with a bit of everything city
Here is an example of a troop city.
Here is an example of a pure resource/sest city.
Good hunting. And remember - be careful. Use protection,
KanuK