The short- and long-term effects of life events on residential mobility. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Warner, Cody; Sharp, Gregory
• Is Part Of: Advances in life course research. Volume 27(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: Residential mobility -- Life-course -- Transition to adulthood; Aging -- Periodicals; Life cycle, Human -- Periodicals; 305.2605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.alcr.2015.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1569-4909

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper we examine how life events impact inter-neighborhood residential mobility among a cohort of young adults from the United States. We combine choice-based models of mobility with life-course principles to argue that life events associated with the transition to adulthood should be associated with residential mobility in the short-term, but residential stability in the long-term. Unanticipated and disruptive events, on the other hand, are expected to place individuals on a long-term trajectory of residential instability. Longitudinal survey data covering nearly 30 years allows us to capture short-term effects, average effects, and trends across time. We find particularly strong short-term effects on mobility for marriage and homeownership, both of which subsequently lead to long-term stability. We also find that divorce and incarceration (an emerging turning point in the life-course) predict instability in both the short- and long-term. Additional analyses suggest that some events – like homeownership – are immediately stabilizing, while others – like marriage – lead to stability across time. We conclude by discussing the contributions of the findings to our understanding of residential mobility and the transition to adulthood in the contemporary United States.