Why families move: a study of residential mobility in Australia

Abstract

Using data from 1991 Housing and Location Preferences surveys of Sydney and Melbourne this paper examines the main sociological correlates of residential mobility. The research was designed partly to test Rossi's hypo thesis about residential mobility, that people move to adjust their housing to fit changing household needs with progression through the life-cycle. The findings show that in Australia residential mobility of families is significantly related to life-cycle and the changes that accompany it. The findings are also consistent with the other demographic, social and economic patterns that characterise Australian society.