I really don't like to raise/abandon city either unless it's in a really bad position, or it's strategically necessary. Sometimes, I leave small non-developable cities on the map for the sole purpose of producing workers (albeit slow, but it's still a free workers every few turns).
Lately, I've just been dealing with the issue by quelling resistance in 1 turn (if possible), then moving everyone onwards to conquer the cities in proximity, leaving 1-2 units garrisoned and 2 assault units stationed just outside (if the attacking force is more than 1 turn away).
This does somewhat setup a perpetual chain, but I usually cut it off by either razing the last city(basically creating a dead/buffer zone between the rival and I) I intend to conquer at the moment, or just rush improvements at the end city for a few turns.
Been working fairly good so far
