I think whatever works for you and your dog that's what you should do. Peanut was pad trained- We have lived in apartments since we had him. Every time we went to Petsmart to buy the pads I would get the 'Oh you have a puppy comment"" How old is your puppy" LoL I would say 2 or 3 years haha Then I would say you know what they say about people who assume!! No I didn't say that LoL.
Now we are in a house- We moved in 6 months ago. We are in the process of training him outside! DH made him a nice doggy door with a dog pen and everything! I do still buy a bag of pads when it rains, he doesnt like going out in the wet
Whatever works for you and your dog- Who cares what people think about the rest!