as the title says
currently being limited by the ever-expanding keyword profile i use in my search engine, and have negative experiences with stock photo sites/pinterest. i’m starting to think finding a reference is a skill
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First you need to find out other similar type of games to yours, then review them and get your inspirations from there
Then you can do a plan in your mind to how you want the map to be, maybe if you want write it out in a paper or whatever, however since I’m far from average (IQ: 250+) I do it all in my mind.
That’s how I did it and of course without joking now I had so much frustration with new ideas. I took too much time, but at the end I always got a solution, so don’t worry about not getting an idea in the first 10 minutes.
And I know you already did this but I also searched on google for maps or whatever.
It’s not easy but not impossible. Good luck on getting ideas
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it really is. obviously, photos are the go-to but there’s really no better inspiration than seeing stuff for yourself. there’s just this inherent difference in the essence of observing the real world before your eyes than any reference picture could ever palely imitate.
that aside, i get bits and bobs from different sources such as regular search engine results, pinterest, environment design from other games, and also artwork which is a nice one to capture emotion as well. i don’t really use solely either of these, more like a healthy, amalgamated mix.
lately, ai-generated imagery has made it feel even more so like sifting for gold than ever before. so it’s not just you, to be honest.
good luck on your reference-searching journey! 
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I literally used to just go around taking photos of random stuff.
This is lowkey the best way to learn, because your brain itself can only retain so much information, taking random pictures will help you retain details.
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I do have something similar for me! I usually stare alot at a bunch of objects or props or anything really, and then think of how i’d build it separating into specific parts or meshes.
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I think that’s a great question.
I usually get my building inspiration from games i really like! I think of something that game does well in stylization and i go “Man this is so cool, how can i put it in my own builds?”. It’s sort of like… cooking! You eat other people’s dishes, notice flavors you like and then you maybe think of how to add the seasoning from those meals into whatever you cook up.
A good way to find those inspirations, at least from personal experience is to go out of your comfort zone and try out a BUNCH of different games, play them for a bit, and see if you find anything from there neat.
I wish you good luck in building, cheers! 
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imagination or simply seeing what you’re trying to replicate IRL
i find it easier to build something when i see it with my own eyes in 3D,
bonus point when i understand how it works [the components, their function, etc] (allows me to edit it a bit too to look more unique and not just a 1:1 copy)
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That’s something i’ve been having difficulty aswell!
I was kinda mind-blocked by it, but after giving it a little time, i managed to overcome it, normally for buildings i’d search in the web for builds in X area with the style of it, like for example “suburban canadian houses”, and even tho it does take a while to find a good one, i’d always manage to find one.
Another good place for inspiration is Reality, while i’m walking around some places gives me inspiration to make something like that but unique in my own way of building, good luck!!