I've had paths in my main town for over 2 years and now that I started a second town, I kind of notice how having no paths is actually quite refreshing and less restricting! However, keeping it that way would seem like not putting in enough effort and like a not so well developed town!
What do you think? Is having paths a necessity for a developed town? How do you feel about towns that have no paths? Doesn't it feel good when you can walk wherever you want?
I've had the exact same experience! In my previous town I had full paths, but I restarted last week and now I'm thinking it looks much nicer without. I'd say if you have 2 towns maybe do one of each. And I definitely don't think a good town needs them. Landscaping takes a lot of work and I've seen a lot of dream towns that were beautifully done without excessive qr codes.
I didn't read your post very well, and I chose yes. I should have said no, because I don't think a town has to have paths to look good.I do like paths, but I've seen some lovely ones that didn't have any. The upper half of my Cherish town doesn't have paths, and I think it looks really pretty.
I voted yes, but I'm guilty of having and planning a town that I don't intend to use paths in, although, I haven't put an enormous amount of thought into it and I'm not too far into the planning stage of that town yet, so it could change.
I'm using sporadic paths in my town and I love it. I like the very natural feel that it creates not being constricted to paths and path-placing. And the whole frustration of houses dropping down on paths doesn't exist either Very refreshing! It also gives a lot of freedom for the villagers to help you decorate the town. In my town they have a huge flower-field they created for me next to one of the bridges. I think if I had paths I would've had to remove that And it's so pretty now that it's gotten so big!
Paths looking amazing, but they aren't for me. I've had a pathed town before and really liked it, but I just really prefer to see the ground! And as OP said, it can feel restricting sometimes to have paths
I never used paths in prior versions but decided to do one for this one. I don't know how extensive it is compared to others. Mine leads from the train center down to Re-Tail, Town Hall, the Police Station, Roost, the Mayor's house and down to the ramp leading to the dock.
If you use the right theme with the right paths, you can practically transform your town. Paths are absolutely amazing but don't define a good town. You can have a great town without the use of paths.
I like paths when visiting a dream town because they guide you to everywhere you want to see. If I'm looking at a good town, then I don't want to miss anything.
I used actual patterned paths when I was going for a more "official" look in my town. I bordered them with red/white lilies and then inside empty spaces I did different flower combos for each open space around the town. Now I'm loving my grass/dirt paths. It looks so natural and like I live in a real forest instead of a sort of compound that never turned out right because someone ALWAYS moved in right in the middle of a path/in front of a bridge. Switching over to the whole "natural" feel has helped because when someone moves in I don't feel so stressed if I can't fit a perfect, beautiful 2x2 path around them. (Even tho Renee just ruined one of my favorite junctions, it still looks okay! ((i guess))). So it depends!
Very refreshing! It also gives a lot of freedom for the villagers to help you decorate the town. In my town they have a huge flower-field they created for me next to one of the bridges. I think if I had paths I would've had to remove that 
And it's so pretty now that it's gotten so big!
