Abstract:

A substantial portion of current urban-rural migration consists of older persons who are choosing to live in countryside residences rather than in towns. Drawing on the experience of older migrants, some objective & subjective implications of residential choice are explored. Representative telephone interview data obtained from 158 older migrants demonstrate that while older persons living in the countryside have less access to goods & services, they are more satisfied, more likely to perceive a net improvement over the former residence, & more attached to their residences. It is suggested that the circumstances of older migrants in rural areas be closely monitored to determine what effects aging & living costs will have on subsequent residential mobility.