Only outside space north facing?

[NoClueNoDough]

We currently have a large south facing balcony with sofa etc. Our problem is shading it. But I won't deny it's nice to have somewhere in the sun even if we can't use it during the day in the summer.

We're looking to move and there's a flat with a covered, north facing balcony. It's the only out door space and is 12msquare. DH thinks it will be perfect, not too hot etc, he can wfh there...
Is it going to be really miserable with never having anywhere to sit in the sun?

In this country? With the little amount of sun we get? Yes you'd miss it

Is it proper North North, or is it North West/East? I think I would like some sun at some point in the day (plus, laundry).

I have a North facing garden and like it. But then it’s a size that when we use it from Spring to Autumn we have sun somewhere in the garden throughout the day. I think for the size of the balcony you mention and the fact it is covered, it will be very dark inside too and you won’t really get sun at all. I wouldn’t go for it tbh.

is there somewhere else in the flat which gets lots of sunshine even though it’s indoors? Sitting here in my lounge with tons of sunlight bathing the room and me.

Swings and roundabouts really.

You may find a room with a south facing balcony hot in summer, but at least it is more bearable in winter. My conservatory can get up to 30C even in the middle of winter.

Vice versa for the north facing room. You will probably find you spend much more on heating in the winter as it will be colder. I would have thought you will be able to sit out at night on a north facing balcony in the very middle of summer, but a lot of the time it will probably be too cold.