shouldn't be considered good, bad or ugly.
My alum bikes are my race bikes, they are fast because they are stiff, they also make me walk funny after 100 miles.
My steel bike is comfortable and cafe free after 100 miles but not as fast, it just isn't.
If you're on a budget alum is the way to go, a frame should last as long as you need it.
The question that's hard to answer is the choice between steel and CF. they'll both cost the same for a decent version, both give equal rides but if CF really explodes after X years custom steel starts looking better.