no. u can get tat easily. start in 2000.
try zoning it along waterbodies, like a river, or ownself make a
pond. it increases land value. and make sure it's not a crime
haven. once ur land value is high, u'll get 'em easily.
dense commercial, essential stuffs are dense roads, subways and
police stations. and of cos dun zone it near utilities area
(garbage, power etc). water pumping stations seem alright, and i
can one stone kill two birds. stick in some libraries or museums as
well. can build city park. using the all buildings hack, try
putting science centres and universities there. landmarks help
too.
medium and light can be put along thin strips inside residential
areas.
the hardest will be putting colourful tech companies inside light
industrial zones, cos they could easily become smoke-belching barns
and warehouses. 
and i always build all the 4 special income facilities (casino,
prison, super incineator and one more). put the prison, jails and
incinerators in one area of forest at one corner with only
expressways passing by. settle.
