From the thread below:
I think they are already considering it. From Part 2 of the Q&A:
For players to watch neighbors’ lives up close, lots would need to be directly connected—but that creates significant optimization challenges. However, we’re exploring a possible solution. One idea is allowing you to see neighbors’ yards and exteriors, while keeping the insides hidden. This approach builds on the optimization work we’re currently testing, where unentered homes are hidden or unloaded to reduce system load.
If a top-tier CPU (like my 7945HX, for example) can load it in 0.1 seconds and I don’t even notice it, then fine.
But please read carefully – what they’re proposing goes beyond just loading time. If it’s instancing – it’s essentially the suspension of simulation on all lots except the active one covered under loading time. Everything outside gets frozen, and the system redirects focus to the current lot. If it’s instancing, then it’s nothing like Sims 3, where the facade simply drops and all simulations across the city remain active. This is exactly Sims 4. There was even information that Sims 4 intended to remove loading screens within districts.
So, if they restructure the logic this way, that’s a dealbreaker – the game goes off the list.