So I've played two games and I mostly used Commons Quarters as a band aid.  Picking the best possible tile for my FIDS disctricts and then just plunking down a Commons Quarter later on in the game when I needed the stability.  The reason I've found that I need a big bedrock of stability late game has been primarily Train Stations, Aerodromes (you need less of these than you think you do) and Airports.  

Next game I'm going to be more strategic about my Commons Quarters and plan my FIDS districts around a center Commons Quarter to get that max +30 stability to offset the -60 cost of those districts.  

I've only had problems with stability very early game and early-late game. Or if something drastic happens like there's a war and it cuts all my trade routes. Of if you make mega cities. But in general, I've found it very easy to manage. If you get through that early-late game, there's a ton of techs/infrastructure that boost stability. In my most recent game I didn't build any common quarters until about industrial era - and that was due to the double blow of war + recently made one mega city.

Not sure if others have found this, but the "base value" in the stability is the amount over or under 100 you are. If the base value is in the positive side, that's how much free stability you have to play with. I really wish it was clearer. They should just put it in the top of the tool tip.

SimKlay wrote:

Buy more luxuries

I own or buy literally every single one :) I'm in that phase of the game where it is a landslide and it is obvious I'm winning, I'm not hurting myself with my own growth :)

Luxuries can't solve this problem.  This is a pro tip my friend.  If you play right, you don't need as many luxuries, makes it easier to win on the highest levels.

ED that counts as more than one type of quarter also stacks on the common quarter. Eg; the astronomy house for Babylonia counts as both "Farmer", and "Maker" quarter, if you plop a common quarter adjaecent to it, you get +10 stability boost. This is nice if you progress through era and pick a culture with ED that counts as multiple types of quarter.