Even then there’s hardly any stars.

Yeah suburbs from before cars were invented are typically quite nice. I live in one and I quite enjoy it. And they were probably much better when the countryside was a short walk away and a network of streetcars connected the whole city.

I think Whittleton Creek in Hitman is a perfect image of one, but that’s also a game where NPCs can only walk, not drive.

Let me guess, too much work to maintain the tree and keep the street "clean"?