There's something to be said for the love affair that we Latin Americans have for poured concrete, block and brick.
Definitely!!!
In Europe there's a running joke saying US houses are cardboard boxes... your description is only much more graphic!
Nothing said against the fine old NY brownstones or Chicago brick bungalows... lovely houses! The old Brooklyn brick multi-family I once lived in would have been quite nice too had it been less neglected... and ok, the layout was a bit weird too.