https://commercialspacetoronto.com/w...s/5170DIXI.jpg
commercialspaceto

I'll argue with you on this one. It looks nicer because it's been updated. If you put the money into new doors, windows, shutters, trim (same as the other house) but cleaned up the brick and did some other improvements, I'd say the brick would look nicer.

They're all still awful though.

I would argue that the tree hiding the structure is doing more for the overall beauty than anything else.

https://postmediaottawacitizen2.file...0&h=495&crop=1
postmedia

https://photos.zolo.ca/3403-33-harbo...8+08%3A02%3A40
zolo

That's even more scandalous when you consider where it's located.

this London mall lost both its anchors, and is soul-sucking to the absolute highest level:
http://www.westmountshoppingcentre.com/map

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2655/3...58296d6a_b.jpg
ssp

I've already shared my theory on here about people who have modest origins a generation or two back often seem hostile to having trees out front because they hide the house that's their symbol of having "made it". You see this in Quebec where widespread prosperity in line with average North American levels only goes back a couple of generations (often just one or two) for most people. My sense is that Newfoundland is fairly similar in this respect.

All of Canada has ugly suburbs but one thing about Toronto and Montreal is that they have expansive suburban areas with relatively little in the way of natural scenery. There are many parts of the GTA where you can drive around for a while without seeing much more than concrete and asphalt.

Low-end suburbia in Atlantic Canada can be extremely ugly in terms of its construction but it is mixed in with hills, forest, and waterfront areas. Those areas also tend to be built along winding formerly rural roads rather than on grids. That adds a bit of charm.

That clocks and Collectibles store reminds me of Things Engraved. How in the hell does that store stay open? And it's been in my local mall for decades.

http://www.johnmacdonaldarchitect.ca...engraved01.jpg

How did you settle on this pic of Dixie and Aimco? Lol. I got Mr. Greek there like 12 years ago. Dixie during the work week is physically and mentally exhausting. Used to work down the road from there 10 years ago.

Spent the past week driving around parts of Mississauga and Vaughan and can confirm I was near death by the end of it. Needed trees or rivers or something to look at, Lake Ontario was a welcome sight on the 401.

That's exactly what I was thinking.

I think what takes the soul sucking part to another level regarding the Vaughn and Sauga suburbs is how expensive they are. I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of the homes posted of that Vaughn suburb were starting at a million plus. That's depressing.

Because it is engraved, it isn't easily removed.
:drummer:

ugly or soul-sucking? Soul-sucking or ugly? Soul-sucking and ugly? Ugly and soul-sucking?
https://www.emporis.com/images/show/...-west-face.jpghttps://www.emporis.com/images/show/...-west-face.jpghttps://www.emporis.com/images/show/...-west-face.jpghttps://www.emporis.com/images/show/...-west-face.jpg

Soul-sucking and/or ugly pick your poison.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@44.23314...7i13312!8i6656

In the Victorian-built neighborhood of Sherbrooke's Anglo elite, you have several examples of the exact opposite, like this.

(You can still catch a glimpse of the house through the driveway opening, at the right angle.)

Possibly the only thing more soul-sucking than a subdivision is a brand new subdivision still covered in dirt, and with zero mature trees to hide the bland facades duplicated to infinity.

https://i.imgur.com/xeToGyr.jpg

Not to mention that this is the separation from your neighbour that a million dollars buys you nowadays.

https://i.imgur.com/D3l7AC9.jpg

DOUBLE BARRELED! FUGLY BUILDING AND SHITTY PIZZA.

Reminds me of this most famous combo meal of all time:
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...C/IMG_7364.jpg
Francely54