100%
We don't need fully open world. But open neighbourhood would really help. I've just added a post about how empty and boring the neighbourhoods are, and how I basically have zero reason to step off my home lot. If I was able to directly pop next door and visit the park/bar/neighbour/etc it would be so much better.
As it stands, I find lots like parks to be almost completely useless. Why would I really need to go there when I can have benches, grills, swings and plants at home...?
I always find it frustrating that if I'm visiting a neighbouring lot, and I click "go home" my sim will run all the way up to my home lot boundary and then give me a loading screen. It always feels silly and like it shouldn't be this way.