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Residential preferences, community satisfaction, and the intention to move
Demography
|November 1, 1979
Summary
Residential preference significantly influences migration intentions. Individuals preferring a different community size or location are five times more likely to move than those content with their current residence.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
- Human Geography
Background:
- Understanding residential mobility is crucial for urban planning and policy.
- Residential preferences, particularly concerning community size and location, are key drivers of migration decisions.
- Previous research has explored factors influencing migration, but the specific impact of preference mismatch requires further examination.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of residential preference, specifically size of place, in shaping the intention to move.
- To quantify the likelihood of intending to move based on the congruence between current residence and preferred community characteristics.
- To determine the relative importance of preference status versus community satisfaction in predicting mobility intentions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the March 1974 NORC Amalgam Survey.
- Developed a 'preference status' variable to categorize individuals based on whether their current residence matches their preferred community type.
- Employed statistical analysis to examine the relationship between preference status, community satisfaction, and intention to move.
Main Results:
- Individuals preferring a different community size or location were five times more likely to intend to move.
- The specific mismatch between current and preferred residence characteristics did not significantly alter the likelihood of moving within preference groups.
- Both preference status and community satisfaction independently affected mobility intentions, with preference status having a slightly larger effect.
Conclusions:
- Residential preference is a significant factor in the decision-making process for migration.
- The congruence between an individual's current residence and their preferred community characteristics strongly predicts their intention to move.
- Preference status emerges as a more potent predictor of mobility intentions than community satisfaction alone.