That would make plot resetting a nightmare... x)
Unless you have all 10 villagers set never to move and play everyday... but still, I feel like paths make the town look fancier, like a city, y'know? x)
Holy cow I did erase all of my paths and it was such a pain to deal with. It isn't really my favorite way to spend about 10-15 going around town as I scrape my small foot to erase squares
I wanted to try out having a dirt path, but it seems like it would be hard to maintain. I've seen posts of people asking how to wear the grass down, because it always seem like as soon as it's something you want the game refuses. But while I was changing my paths, I was able to see which paths I used most often, and how I often cut corners lol.
I erased all of my QR paths not very long ago and went about a month without any. I just a couple days ago found a beautiful QR path set and put paths back in. I like them so far. They are much more muted than my last paths, so they go with the more natural, forest-y look I have been switching to.
Tinytree is a 100% dirt path town, but I did start off with temporary QR paths until I was able to establish a permanent route. It was very satisfying kicking them all away... and even more satisfying when the dirt paths finally began showing progress! My new town will be 50% paths 50% dirt paths. Any time there's a "forest" area in town, I need dirt paths lol.
My first town was coming along very nicely with the dirt paths. Unfortunately I became very frustrated with the town map I chose [rocks and natural formations were in the way constantly and ruined almost every plan I had so I decided to sell my town. [I'm so glad that I did because I adore my new map]
The qr paths in my new town are pretty much done, so I can't wait to see when the natural roads start showing up. They look amazing, I just wish there was an easier/quicker way of doing it.
I've never tried dirt/natural paths, it looks too high maintenance for me.
I would find 'bleeding' a problem.
Flowers wouldn't cut it for me, as I find keeping to any path difficult. Would have to be hedges & I would hate it.
I put down patterns right at the start of the game (a starter pattern out of Ables) tweak them in the first few days/weeks of the game until happy and then replace with QR codes.
Might replace the pattern, but not the paths. Usually lined with flowers.
Have some paths made up of flowers, usually one side of the river bank.
I'm planning to have a mix of both dirt paths and qr code paths - dirt paths in the more natural, forest-y part of town, and qr paths in more developed areas, like in front of town hall, by the plaza, etc. most of them will be lined with a mixture of flowers/trees/bushes!