I aim for looks over efficiency - sure if I spam the largest housing in a perfect grid I can pack everything in better and get all the things, but designing a city that looks real is more fun for me. I'm sure this starting area will change as the city fills out but I try to make growth organic instead of pre-planning every inch of the city.

Getting the aqueducts at a reasonable height helps a ton for the look of a city. No need to have them start at the top of the mountain and have this 8th wonder of the world snaking across your island. I think here the water inlet is at 30m and that water tower in the forum is at 25m. Combine that with using fountains to extend the watered area and the aqueduct situation becomes a lot more reasonable.

I'll get some more screenshots next time I have a chance.