User blog comment:LostInRiverview/The Sims Wiki News - 5th June 2014/@comment-4568327-20140605014915/@comment-1519608-20140605063600

It's never formally established that Sunset Valley = Old Town/Neighborhood 1 = Pleasantview.

Ultimately I don't think they're interested in re-creating old neighborhoods because that means their hands are tied from a creative stance. They can't build new houses or make new families or make the neighborhood look different because it won't match up with what you think Sunset Valley or Old Town or Pleasantview should look like. So, the only way to avoid this, while also including the "classic" families, is to set it in a new neighborhood.

I think at some point you have to look at the storyline and accept that it's FUBAR, and just go with it. To spend time obsessing over every "mistake" or violation of canon is time not spent just enjoying the game.