The point of apartments is to experience the limitations that they provide, and thus deal with those challenges as you progress your sim.
Honestly using the reason that you can't do everything with apartments that you can with houses as your only excuse to not use City Living is a bit on the lame and spoiled side.
If you don't like being limited with building, that's fine. But there is a lot more to City Living than just that. There is even a house lot in San Myshuno and multiple penthouse apartment lots that do give you more flexibility. I turned one penthouse lot into a spa&gym lot that looks rather fantastic for its location.
Not every expansion pack is for everyone. The same goes with the other packs. I am never going to get the Kids Stuff pack as it doesn't tickle my fancy.
I love City Living. The apartments give a new perspective on the game, and the weekly fair events are fun to visit, and even watch from the apartment.