I’ve always loved the architecture of the Twenties and Thirties. It may sound daft but I think it’s because as a child, growing up in a terraced house with no parking in Norwich, I hankered after a house with a drive of its own.

Years later a cul-de-sac on the edge of the city centre offered just the thing for a young professional couple. We moved in and I loved it. For nine years we enjoyed the city life and all it had to offer, surrounded by good friends and neighbours. We had no intention of leaving. Ever.

After a while, though, our friends started to encourage us to move. We should be investing in something bigger, they said. Moving on, moving up. Financially speaking they were right, of course, and we followed their well-intentioned advice – in truth, letting our heads rule our hearts. Really all I wanted to do was stay put in my small but happy home.

But move we did to a much larger property in semi-rural Norfolk. In essence it was a blank Seventies canvas and we set to work, making our mark complete with the installation of a beloved AGA. I’d half convinced myself that I really did want to wake to the gentle lowing of cows in the meadow, though in reality, because we weren’t in the heart of countryside, the neighbouring cattle had to compete with the everyday hustle and bustle of living somewhere near, but not actually in, Norwich. Frankly, it was quieter where we were before.

We now had a large home, a big garden, more than enough room to park but, poor house, we weren’t being honest with it. It never really stood a chance. We had moved from the city and found the grass really wasn’t greener... and I really wasn’t happy.

So we went back to our cul-de-sac. Not to the same house, but one opposite. Being lucky with the market we had enough cash and, by now, experience to go to town, creating exactly the sort of dining and entertaining space we wanted but in a modest-sized city package, perfect for the two of us and our cheeky border terrier Rosie. Back with our old friends and neighbours. Every time we come home we love it all over again.

Mike Rix, Norwich

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.