I actually thought when I bought a house in London that I would never have to save again, that my pension would be taken care of and I would have the ultimate in financial security. I convinced my cautious, thoughtful boyfriend who works in the financial markets that early 2016 just before an impending Brexit vote was a great time to buy and that we should pick a house and get on with it.

I ignored his gentle objections and went full steam ahead. But after offering on a number of flats from Herne Hill to Stoke Newington I soon realised that I was never going to get what I wanted for our measly budget (by London standards anyway), so I decided to look smart. I studied the route of Crossrail's new Elizabeth line and began to explore a few unchartered, but surely up-and-coming territories along it. I drew up a checklist:

Open spaces and parks.

A quaint feel with good housing stock.

A number of good schools.

One or two trendy shops opening up.

Found it... Forest Gate.

I made friends with every agent in the area and walked around it at every opportunity, viewing each available house or flat. Finally, I found a house on a small close with park views and quirky patio. Yes, it needed a little bit of redecoration, but I was so surprised to find an apparently well-presented home within my budget that, of course, I had to have it immediately.

We are now living in a house with no wallpaper after a hasty evening spent pulling off the Nineties yellow paper only to find damp beneath it and then discovering how much plastering actually costs. The patio decking is rotten and needs to be replaced immediately. The windows are leaking in places and causing every type of damp. Almost all of the blinds fell down after only a gentle tug and we are in a Mexican standoff with a number of bugs over whose house this actually is.

I am keeping a brave face and tell the poor unsuspecting man who bought the house with me that we have made the right choice and in time it will be home.

Property buying... it ain't for the faint hearted.

MC, London

Further information

What makes a house a home and why does it matter so much? Our new series, 'Moving Stories', inspired by Savills new advertising campaign, explores the complex relationship between home and home-owner with funny, sad and bittersweet reflections on moving out, moving in and moving on.

We invite you to submit your own Moving Stories and we will donate £50 to Dreams Come True for every one we publish on Savills UK Blog. We'll also make a donation for every story submitted for consideration.