Once my Switch broke and the Steam Deck released, I decided I didn’t want to bother with Nintendo anymore. They’ve been killing their communities for far too long.
It was modded in by fans well before now, so it’s definitely a wanted feature. People like immersing themselves in the city ambiance, and with good reason. I personally rarely fast travel, or even drive, because there’s usually a lot more to see by just walking around. Convenience isn’t a big priority in a game like this.