Because areas of residence in the south are predominately homes with little around them and low density for other structures. It's very "face value". You don't have to explain anything other than the origin of design. An apartment complex in NY has a better explanation because of what's around it as much as what's inside.
I'll admit it was unfair to to simplify the housing down there, but that's what it is. A home down there is the bulk of residency. Yeah you might have the elaborate French Colonial style and et cetera but that's pretty much it. It's very simple. A home is usually is single family, land space for the yard or whatever, then it's on to the next house. Economic centers are few and far. You get the luxury of having some nature and quiet, but that's nothing you cannot accomplish by moving into the suburbs near larger cities.
An apartment complex in NY requires further explanation, because of the density in the area allows for much more than just house, grass, house, grass found in the suburbs and the south. There's muuuuuch more human life, much more of an economic factor influencing the residential area. Many more variables. You still have those areas in the south, but they are more exclusive rather than the norm.
You want a city with majority homes and still looks good, on top of having good access to nature? Look at Seattle.