Travel-based residential dissonance as a motivation for relocation: An analysis of movers in Germany

Abstract

Residential self-selection potentially influences both the built environment at the residential location and travel behavior. However, the impact of (travel-related) residential self-selection on residential relocation is not yet clear. We analyzed a sample of 3,629 German respondents planning to relocate. This allows us to examine the relationship between the motivation to relocate, residential satisfaction and residential dissonance as a mismatch between travel attitudes and the structure of the neighborhood. We develop a binary and a continuous indicator of residential dissonance. The binary indicator classifies 35% of respondents as dissonant. Two logistic regression analyses model the probability of indicating the neighborhood as a reason for a planned move among urban and non-urban residents. Residential dissonance is found to have an impact on the satisfaction with the neighborhood, but there are other characteristics that make residents want to leave their current neighborhood, such as dissatisfaction with the neighbors, safety and cleanliness and quietness. In non-urban areas, the satisfaction with the quality of transit motivates relocations, while dissatisfaction with the accessibility of the workplace, shopping facilities and leisure activities for young people are important reasons for urban residents. The results suggest that dissatisfaction toward travel-related characteristics of a neighborhood has a significant, though small influence on the desire to leave the current neighborhood but the more general ‘dissonance’ does not. Hence, characteristics respondents value may be more specific, rather than reflecting a general preference for urban vs. non-urban areas. We draw some conclusions for transport policies in urban and non-urban areas.