Apartments: questions and Band 8 answers

At the moment, I'm renting a small two-bedroom flat on the fourth floor of a modern building. It's really convenient because it's just a short walk from the local metro station, though I do sometimes miss having my own garden to sit in during summer.

Probably the amount of natural light we get. The living room has floor-to-ceiling windows that face south, so it stays remarkably bright throughout the day. It makes the whole place feel a lot more spacious than it actually is, especially when I'm working from home.

Yes, absolutely. In the city centre especially, high-rise apartment blocks are everywhere because land is so scarce and expensive. Most young professionals and small families tend to live in them, whereas detached houses are really only found much further out in the suburbs.

I'd love a top-floor penthouse with a generous balcony where I could grow a few potted herbs and enjoy a nice view of the skyline. Having good soundproofing would also be essential, just so I wouldn't have to worry about noisy neighbours upstairs.

In the long run, I think I'd rather settle down in a detached house. Flats are brilliant when you're younger because they're low-maintenance, but eventually, I'd like more privacy and a proper back garden where children or pets could run around safely.