Residential Mobility

Factors Contributing to Residential Mobility

There are numerous studies about what factors affect household moving decisions. Much of the literature argues that moving is usually related to “trigger events” and other changing values of housing demand variables. Researchers differentiate between “induced” and “adjustment” moves in terms of voluntary triggers. Alternatively, forced moves are nonvoluntary and are often associated with population displacement due to urban renewal or disasters. A household generally decides to move when it is not satisfied with some housing attributes, the quality of the neighborhood, the maintenance costs, or other aspects of the dwelling or neighborhood. This type of move is adjustment move. However, when the move is due to the change in household composition or lifestyle, it is called an induced move. Forced move is often associated with circumstances beyond the control of households. Some scholars found that among voluntary moves, household composition and changes in lifestyle have more significant impacts on people's mobility decisions than other factors.

Essentially, adjustment moves, induced moves, or forced moves can all be attributed to “pull” and “push” factors, which fundamentally determine residential mobility decisions. Push and pull factors are often explained by residential preferences about where to live or work. In addition to households and housing attributes, neighborhoods are among the push and pull factors in residential mobility decisions. Dissatisfaction with housing dwellings, neighborhoods, communities, or government policies significantly increases the likelihood of moving.

Forced move is caused by external factors, such as urban renewal, confiscation, foreclosure, eminent domain, eviction, disaster, or political persecution, to name a few. Forced moves usually lead to population displacement. One example is the large-scale population displacement associated with a catastrophic disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005. Urban redevelopment, particularly policies and practices causing gentrification, often displace original residents in the community. When the displacement is not compensated with fair market value, the redevelopment constitutes takings defined by the Fifth Amendment in the U.S. Constitution (eminent domain).

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