Abstract:

A review essay on journal articles by: Donald N. Steinnes & Timothy D. Hogan, "Take the Money and Sun: Elderly Migration as a Consequence of Gains in Unaffordable Housing Markets" (1992); Julia E. Bradsher, Charles F. Longino, David J. Jackson, & Rick S. Zimmerman, "Health and Geographic Mobility among the Recently Widowed" (1992); Francoise Cribier & Alexandre Kych, "La Migration de retraite des parisiens: une analyse de la propension au depart" ( The Migration of Retired Parisians: An Analysis of the Propensity to Relocate 1992). Steinnes & Hogan examine permanent & seasonal migration of elderly people to AZ, arguing that retirees move largely with the aim of lowering their cost of living, & testing separate models for permanent & seasonal migration. Their interpretation plays down the importance of distance & winter temperatures, but demonstrates that housing affordability is a more significant factor for seasonal than permanent migration. Bradsher et al explore the links among widowhood, health changes, & residential mobility using 1984-1986 data from the Longitudinal Study on Aging. They argue that residential moves due to widowhood alone are uncommon, but that declines in health frequently lead to a move. Cribier & Kych explore the residential decisions of retirees in Paris, France. Most who leave greater Paris have strong reasons to go to the provinces rather than strong reasons for leaving the city.