Should other services put as much resources into the appearance of their bases as the Air Force does?

I was at a joint course on an Air Force base and one Air Force officer said that when the Air Force built their bases they did the officer club first then barracks, buildings, etc. until they ran out of funds. THEN they say oops we did not build a runway yet and then they get more money for that. That is how they afford nice stuff.

I am sure that is just a joke...but it does make you wonder why they seem to have such a higher standard of living compared to the Army and Navy bases that I have been to.

Pretty much the same situation in DC from the Air Force Housing on Bolling to the Navy Housing just South of it. Air Force has always been very focused on Quality of Life Issues while it is an after thought in the rest of the Armed Forces. When I travel to Large Military City's and am looking for Quarters. I always go to the AFB first. Much better Quarters. I remember staying at RAF Lakenheath. "I'm Sorry Petty Officer Nagel, you will have to share a Kitchen with the room next door" "Lady, I am used to sharing everything with 15 other guys".

Once upon a time, units were responsible for keeping up their unit areas, and Soldiers would be detailed to do so. This begat some ridiculous activities, such as the infamous painting of rocks and pine needle pilings, but also meant that it was a point of pride for the unit area to be squared away. Woe unto you if an NCO caught you throwing a cigarette butt or worse, trash on the ground.
Contracting the task of maintenance costs more, and somewhere we lost some of our pride in the process.