ABSTRACT
Research interest in residential preferences emerged in the early 1970s, the result of a puzzling discrepancy between attitudes and behavior. Many research issues flow from this realization. It is clear that analysis of community size preferences was only a first step in understanding residential preferences. People who preferred smaller communities typically gave the following reasons: less crime, better quality air and water, better life for family and children, lower cost of living, and better community spirit, participation, and friendliness. The migration literature is filled with theoretical models of movement among regions and communities. A reason that preference surveys were first done was to link public policy on population distribution to the needs and desires of the public for community and housing options. National estimates of mobility trends would be complemented with the detailed insight of the others. The structural changes underpin the postmigration studies of retirees as well as youth and family mobility.
