I like Riverview if only because I like collecting and all the items are easier to find. They're just not scattered nearly to the extent that you see in Sunset Valley.
Also, I totally agree with the comment about the community garden. Likewise, what about the fishery? Catch almost everything in one location!
I don't know about the whole "beautiful lot" thing, but I always make my Sims capable (eventually) of making ambrosia, so they have an awesome moodlet for a whole week, and give them beautifully decorated homes with good stereos for constant mood boosts. So I don't worry about how pretty the lot is. I do wonder how I'm not getting a beautiful view from living next to a waterfall, though.