I get the reason why they've been putting fake houses in newer worlds as they seem to be limited to 5-6 lots in each neighborhood (also, why is it so limited in newer worlds? In Windenburg and San Mys...
I enjoy the wide open parks, but I could do without all of the empty houses. I just ignore them and create a neighborhood that looks the way I feel like having it look. I would love to be able to actually use all of those lots.