Apartments are so ugly and expensive - what is going on?

I hope nobody takes offense to my post but I am absolutely frustrated. I am about to move to Istanbul and looking for apartments either to rent or buy. I was really looking forward to the experience but my search left me maximum frustrated.

I really like some older apartments built in the 70s or 80s, they have beautiful wood flooring and a decent size but they are considered unsafe because of earthquake danger. So I am looking at newer construction and in my eyes those apartments look hideous.

All of them are using the same shiny tiles with a fake marble effect. They all have plastic fake barn door style doors with glass. Kitchen looks ugly and bathrooms as well. There really is no simple white tiled bathroom. It is all glossy fake marble and weird patterns. Should I buy an Appartement - I would have to rip everything out and redo it which will add to the cost tremendously. A home has to reflect a bit of your personality and the canvas of these houses has hotel entrance vibes. The newer apartments have much smaller rooms so it is not like the floor plan is cool. Shoeboxes without character and ugly materials.

These apartments are of course very expensive if you are looking in somewhat decent areas and don’t want to live somewhere in no man’s land. It is hard to pay $500000 for an apartment that I don’t like and have to completely remodel.

I don’t understand why they are all the same. They are all made from the same materials absolute cookie cutter style. It is just astonishing.

Once in a while I look at an older apartment just as eye bleach and they have character and are quirky and I can see how to make them gorgeous with a bit of remodeling and putting in a new kitchen etc.

I was just wondering if anybody has the same problem or if I am the only one?