What you are describing is part of the addictive quality engineered into the game.
I used to feel this way about the cool brown house, house of evil, and a couple other buildings I wanted.
But I used to be upset I couldn't be a premium player too. just not in my budget. Since then, frustration with the game mechanics (wheels of chance) broke its grip on me, and I started seeing the game as it is, a good time killer, like other phone games.
It's not a collection of rare priceless keepsakes. They are pixels that could vanish anytime EA closes the servers.
So try to reevaluate your perspective, maybe you will also realize that while the things you don't have seem cool, does it matter if it's in your town or your neighbor's town? Anytime I want to enjoy the animation of the escalator to nowhere, I just go to my neighbor Sandwedgeking and look at his excellent display. Good enough for me and it's free to visit anytime.
Of course if you plan to play premium, just keep an eye out as they recycle most of the game features that are limited release.
Happy tapping!