I only ever had 1 expansion when I played past games. Not 1 each, 1 period. It was seasons for Sims 2 because it was cool and new and fun.
I have several packs for 4. If you feel like you NEED packs or mods to make the game fun (not the way you specifically want it, but fun) then they did a poor job on the base game. The TS4 base game is disappointing compared to what it could have been, especially comparing how it is now to how it was the first year of release.
ETA: expansions and other packs should expand gameplay, not make up for a lack of it in the main game.