It is complicated at first but like any game you need to learn it and how it opperates. Startup cost would be 800 sim or 4 hive check what one is cheaper at the moment to optimize that front of it. You can then buy your first building. The start up costs to really make something of this game though would be pretty high. I would say you need a good 20 some buildings before you start producing some half decent results. I've been "playing" it for I would say a good 8 months now myself.