The same applies here. 20 years ago it was that dark that many a night, or early hours of the morning, after a night of observing I walked straight into the back of the house. Didn't had a drink either.
Now, the west and north are useless, east soso, southeast, south and zenith are ok.
Lots of units are being built around here and the council has no idea how to install street lights which throw the light down onto the street, like the name implies, instead of up.