How to Clone a Neighborhood In The Sims 2

In this article, I’ll show you an easy way to copy or clone a neighborhood in The Sims 2. Now you can have more than one copy of a premade ‘hood (such as Pleasantview or Strangetown) in your game at the same time.

Note: I have Windows 10, but the steps should be similar if you have Windows 7. Some folder names may be slightly different. 

Clone a Base Game Neighborhood

1. If you have the Ultimate Collection, navigate to Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Origin Games > The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection > Double Deluxe > Base > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods 

If you have the disc version, navigate to Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > EA Games > The Sims 2 > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods

• N001 = Pleasantview
• N002 = Strangetown
• N003 = Veronaville

2. Right click on the folder for the neighborhood you want to clone, and select COPY.

3. Right click on your desktop and select PASTE.

4. Rename the folder to change the number. For example, N009 or N231. Just make sure to choose a number different from your current neighborhoods.

You can see your currently installed neighborhoods by navigating to Documents > EA Games > The Sims 2 > Neighborhoods. 

5. After renaming the folder on your desktop, open it and you will see four folders followed by three files. The three files will have the same number as the original neighborhood. Rename them to the same number you renamed the folder. 

For example, I’m renaming my N001 folder to N009. Next, I’ll change the three files to N009 like this:

6. Now, open the “Characters” folder. Every file in this folder must be renamed to match the new folder number.

In my example, all instances of N001 must be changed to N009. You can do this manually, one at a time, or you can use a file renaming utility to make it go faster. My folder has 133 files in it that need to be changed, so doing it manually can take a while. 

Here’s a quick look at using the Bulk Rename Utility to rename your files.

How to Use Bulk Rename Utility

1. Navigate to Desktop > N009 (or whatever your folder is named) > Characters. This should populate the character files in the box (#2).
2. Select all the files by clicking on one of them and pressing Ctrl + A. They should all turn blue to indicate they are selected.
3. Enter the original file number in the “Replace” box. Enter the number you want to change it to in the “With” box. In my case, I entered N001 in the “Replace” box and N009 in the “With” box. This will change all instances of N001 to N009.
4. Click the “Rename” button and you’re done! 

7. Now, repeat these steps for all files in the “Lots” and “Thumbnails” folders. Everything that once said N001 must now say N009 (or whatever numbers you are using). 

8. Once everything is renamed, cut and paste your newly numbered neighborhood folder into your Documents > EA Games > The Sims 2 > Neighborhoods folder.

9. Load up your game and you will have a CLONED NEIGHBORHOOD available on the neighborhood selection screen. In my case, I have TWO PLEASANTVIEWS. One I’ve already been playing in, and the other one is a brand new ‘hood that’s never been played.

Cloning an Expansion Pack Neighborhood

Cloning one of the three expansion pack ‘hoods works the same way as cloning a base game ‘hood. The only difference is where you find the original neighborhood in your program files. 

Belladonna Cove

If you have the Ultimate Collection, the original Belladonna Cove is found at Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Origin Games > The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection > Apartment Life > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods. 

If you have the disc version, you can find Belladonna Cove at Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > EA Games > The Sims 2 > Apartment Life > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods.

E001 is the name of the Belladonna Cove folder. Copy it to your desktop and continue with step 2 at the top of this post. 

Riverblossom Hills

If you have the Ultimate Collection, the original Riverblossom Hills is found at Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Origin Games > The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection > Seasons > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods.

If you have the disc version, you can find Riverblossom Hills at Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > EA Games > The Sims 2 > Seasons > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods.

G001 is the name of the Riverblossom Hills folder. Copy it to your desktop and continue with step 2 at the top of this post. 

Desiderata Valley

If you have the Ultimate Collection, the original Desiderata Valley is found at Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Origin Games > The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection > Free Time > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods. 

If you have the disc version, you can find Riverblossom Hills at Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > EA Games > The Sims 2 > Free Time > TSData > Res > UserData > Neighborhoods.

F001 is the name of the Desiderata Valley folder. Copy it to your desktop and continue with step 2 at the top of this post. 

Cloning a Custom Neighborhood

If you want to clone a custom neighborhood, simply download a fresh copy from the creator’s website (or wherever you got it from). Paste the neighborhood folder onto your desktop and continue with step 2 at the top of this post. This is only necessary if you are currently playing the neighborhood and want a SECOND copy of it in your game. 

Cloning a custom ‘hood is probably the easiest since you don’t have to search through your program files to find an original, unplayed copy. This is also the way to go if you use clean templates for the Maxis ‘hoods. 

Related posts:

Sims 2 Custom Content Sites List (Maxis Match) How to Play The Sims 2 on Windows 10 Ultimate Sims 2 Default Replacement Guide: Change Your World How to Change A Sim’s First and Last Name in Sims 2