IN-PERSON London. Section A

Abstract

With the enhancement of the livelihood security system for senior citizens and the facilitation of residential relocation, retired individuals now possess the autonomy to select their community once more. As their physical capabilities diminish, they increasingly rely on community resources and seek a conducive living environment. Despite extensive research on intra-urban residential migration among older populations in developed nations, there remains a dearth of studies on smaller-scale intra-metropolitan migration within China, particularly within the framework of urban aging. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the pivotal factors influencing the location preferences of intra-metropolitan residential migration among the elderly amidst urbanization. This exploration is based on an analysis of home purchase data and peripheral point-of-interest (POI) data of seniors in Yancheng City from 2016 to 2018, complemented by decision tree models. Special emphasis is placed on examining the impact of housing attributes, such as price, and public amenities, such as community facilities, on the selection of relocation destinations for elderly residents. The findings underscore that variables such as house price, floor level, and availability of commercial amenities significantly shape the relocation decisions of older individuals, with house price emerging as the primary determinant. Notably, a majority of seniors opt to relocate to neighborhoods with more affordable housing options. Understanding the determinants of residential migration among seniors is paramount for informing policy development and optimizing social service provisions.