Compared to most European cities, London has very few good quality apartment buildings. British people see this, and conclude that they're not possible.
Some older (1930s etc), good quality buildings exist in London, and newer "luxury" ones. I used to live in one, and it was very nice — no garden I needed to maintain, no space wasted by an individual heating system (and nothing for me to maintain). It was in a medium-wealthy area, with a price to match.
I wouldn’t even call it owning a property, when you are obliged to pay £200+ in rent and charges, £100+ in council tax, etc. in perpetuity.
The key point seems to be that although these flats were originally undesirable social housing, their spacious, unspecific layouts + somewhat reduced density from WW2 bombing allowed the transformation to the opposite: Expensive gentrified housing in very high demand.
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaarndammerbuurt
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Luchtfoto_Spaarndamm...
>The workers' houses were primarily intended for port workers, who found their work in the nearby ports. [...]
>The most famous buildings in the Spaarndammerbuurt are the workers' houses designed by Michel de Klerk in the style of the Amsterdam School, located at the Spaarndammerplantsoen. Three blocks designed by him were erected here in the 1920s. The most striking design is 'Het Schip', located along the Zaanstraat. The houses were 'palaces for the workers'. Never before had so much care been given to the design of workers' houses. A post office was also part of the block. After the post office in 2000 had closed its doors, has been here since 2001 , the Museum Ship located. Other striking architecture came in the 1920s by KPC de Bazel at Zaandammerplein and by HJM Walenkamp at Zaanhof.
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdamse_School_(bouwstijl)
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michel_de_Klerk
>Housing architecture
>Since his assignment for a block of labor residences on Johannes Vermeerplein, his name would remain associated with public housing. His most famous work is Het Schip, a complex workers' housing in the Spaarndammerbuurt in Amsterdam, built for the Eigen Haard housing association. Together with Kramer, De Klerk also designed a large complex for the social-democratic General Workers' Cooperative De Dageraad on PL Takstraat, also in Amsterdam. Klerk's socialist views have undoubtedly played a role in obtaining these assignments.
https://www.hetschip.nl/socialhousingfestival/events/spaarnd...
>Treasures of social housing: tour (walking, Spaarndammerbuurt) - Museum Het Schip
>Join us on a tour of the Spaarndammerbuurt, the revolutionary neighbourhood that stands as a living and breathing, architecturally fascinating relic to the Netherlands’ incredibly forward-thinking social housing drive of the early 20th century. A walk through the area will illustrate a combination of the subtly intricate designs of the Amsterdam School’s architecture and the socially progressive, ambitious goals of Dutch social housing. Stops along the way will convey some of the fascinating features, such as the Amsterdam School architecture of Michel de Klerk, the palatial courtyards of the Zaanhof, and the thriving community spaces of the Zaandammerplein.
The gardens at Het Schip:
https://amsterdamse-school.nl/Content/images/Building/2373/_...
https://amsterdamse-school.nl/Content/images/Building/2373/_...
Because millions and millions of people live in nice flats all over the world. Just look across the channel: In France there are plenty of nice flats and most newly developed flats there put what exists in the UK to shame.
Your comment somewhat illustrates my point about the negative perception of flats in the UK, and the strange idea that the horrible estates of the 1960s are the only way to build flats.
Personally I would like to live in a detached house though. I currently live in a flat, but I'd like to have a garden.
I know of course that with the amount of space existing, and the need for people to live in cities, a detached house with a garden is for the few only that can afford it.