Given so many (only 20% through the list of posts) seem to query
(a) whether DH would be happy (seems unlikely)
(b) whether you'd "achieve" something by having more time (as if having some "me time" for your sanity and enjoyment would be bad, but study to "progress in a career" would be acceptable) and
(c) so much condemnation/query about net salary/ disposable income

I'd suggest a compromise - 2x 3 hours @ 10GBP/hour, so get a cleaner alternate weeks. See if DH notices any difference, have some free time for yourself, and only go "half way" so those who have been pretty damning can "hush their negative comments"

We lived in an apartment, pretty much as Anna describes, in Brussels for 2 years. It was lovely. Only downside was that we faced the wrong way and didn't get the evening sun on the balcony. So sunbathing out there was impossible after about 2pm. We moved only so dd could have access to a garden/be able to ride her bike without us going out.

I personally like SOME outside space. But without kids, room for a bbq and table chairs is essential. Plants and sunlounger nice to have. Oh and don't forget the satellite dish - ours had to be within our "property" and we weren't allowed to hang washing out so a tumble drier was a must too.

Noddy where I come from people tend to live in apartments as well. I second everything Bosoir told you. Yes the downside is the garden but if you will not have children around it won't be such a big deal I think and being in england you might not even have to avoid the heat like in my country.

I have lived in a flat all life prior to coming to england and I can assure you it feels as yours as a house.

Another downside I can think of is the fact that you share an awful lot of things with a lot of other people, i.e. all the maintenance of the communal area, and unless the maintenance company is very good and reliable and honest it can be a pain. So I'd carefully check that.

Overall I'd say go for it.

Thanks for your advice lots to think about!Sorry for the hijack xx

Sounds lovely, and I am a great believer in changes of lifestyle for refreshing the neurones and enjoying life more!

We have viewed a top floor penthouse which has a terrace.Lovely views you're right and no maintenance!It is early days but am quite excited feels a lot more grown up and tbh I want to move away from the ara we are in which is full on family

I feel totally at home once the door is shut - no question.

The biggest downside to living in an apartment is, of course, no garden. You can get fabulous apartments that are just as nice as any house - often much nicer, because high up you get lovely light and views of tree tops <looks out of window>. You will probably need somewhere to escape to in the summer months for some outside air - could be friends and family, or a hotel, or a small second home.

at the French for their tax-deductible cleaning. Wow.

Thanks it won't be for a few years but most of my friends think we are mad as they are very house focussed but tbh most of the appartments we have seen are bigger and lighter than our house.Do you feel like it isn't 'yours' as it were or once in the door is it ok?Have never done shaerd communal areas as you can prob tell!

Lots of pros to living in an apartment if it is purpose built and properly managed ie in the UK if you live in a mansion block with a proper management company, because then you will have no maintenance to do, which is a big time and hassle saver. Don't live in a house conversion as you will lose all the benefits and gain none of the advantages.

Must haves, for comfortable apartment living:

- purpose built, with a decent floor plan that separates living and bedroom quarters (not always as easy to find as all that - far too many flats have bedrooms next to kitchens)

- good management, so that communal areas are kept nice and clean (daily cleaning essential) and that repairs and maintenance are dealt with promptly

- a lift

- decent soundproofing

- a garage in the building or nearby parking