If, on the other hand, everyone just says, "Astrum is terrible, don't go there, no one ever does anything," then there's no chance for the realm to improve.
Yes very true.
Everytime we complain we should realize instead what we can do to change that which we don't like.
My character tried a bit and left eventually, sort of the cowards way out.
But its definitely easier to leave and join realms that are more fun than to put effort in making a boring realm fun.