Residential Perceptions and Housing Mobility in Scotland: An Analysis of the Longitudinal Scottish House Condition Survey 1991-96

Abstract

This paper seeks to develop the evidence base for urban, neighbourhood and housing policies, that aim to increase neighbourhood satisfaction and reduce residential instability. Using the longitudinal Scottish House Condition Survey 1991-96, the paper examines whether residential perceptions are generally significant predictors of individual house moving intentions and behaviours, taking into account factors related to life cycle stage, employment, tenure and type of neighbourhood. The effect of specific residential perceptions on overall satisfaction with the home and neighbourhood is traced through moving intentions to actual moves over the 1991-96 period. Using a sample of matching respondents surveyed twice in 1991 and 1996, the paper also examines whether changed residential perceptions affect moving intentions. There is evidence that deteriorating neighbourhood perceptions increase the likelihood that an individual would consider a house move, while greater satisfaction with the home is associated with reduced moving intentions.

Keywords:

• Neighbourhood
• Satisfaction
• Mobility