I think people have this idea of the horrible concrete pods from seeing too many photos of gray concrete blocks in Eastern Europe, that often look absolutely dreadful (and they do, especially in winter, Ive lived in one, and most photos are post-collapse, often with the buildings severely undermaintained), often ignoring that these were typically surrounded by large green areas, parks and the like. And also these often functioned in a community manner, and people from the same block would get together for barbecues, beers, drinks, making ajvar or kompots in the green space in front of the tower, etc.