It would be reasonable to assume that the factors that drive people away from a residence would influence their decision in choosing another residence. However, the reasons for moving to a residence revealed a distribution of preferred reasons which was different from the reasons for moving from a residence. Generally, people chose to move to their current residences for environment, employment and social reasons.
Figure 2
People who moved from an urban residence chose a rural residence mostly for employment reasons (23 percent of reasons stated for this category). Environment reasons (21 percent), especially lifestyle reasons, were also important. Conversely, when moving from a rural residence, an urban residence was mainly chosen for environment reasons (22 percent) because moving to a place with better services and facilities was important.
Moves within urban areas involved choice of a residence that provided proximity to services and facilities, but also a residence in a more suitable suburb or town, and a better natural environment (environment reasons comprised 21 percent of reasons stated for this category). In contrast, moves within rural areas resulted in choosing a residence that enabled better employment opportunities, or to start a new job (employment reasons comprised 30 percent of reasons stated for this category). Social reasons (24 percent) were also important (for example, to live closer to others).
Table 1
Main Reason for Moving by Type of Move
March 2007 quarter |
| Type of move |
Main reason for moving from previous residence |
Main reason for moving to current residence |
|
Most common |
Second most common |
Most common |
Second most common |
| Within urban area |
Economic |
Social |
Environment |
Social |
| From urban to rural area |
Economic |
Employment |
Employment |
Environment |
| Within rural area |
Employment |
Economic |
Environment |
Social |
| From rural to urban area |
Economic |
Employment |
Environment |
Social |
Note: Rural area denotes rural centre or other rural area.
The ranking of motivations for having chosen the current residence depends on a range of characteristics of the movers such as age, occupation, and income. As an example, among movers within urban areas, from urban to rural areas, from rural to urban areas, and for those aged 40 years and over, environment reasons were the preferred motives for choosing the current residence.
The largest proportion of those moving within rural areas, or from rural to urban areas, were agricultural (or fishery) workers who, when seeking better employment opportunities, would often be forced to move. This was particularly important for those aged between 30–49 years, who moved from residences in rural areas. Social reasons for choosing the current residence were typical among the younger ages (under 20 years), who mostly moved to live with family or moved with parent(s).
Table 2
Most Frequent Main Reason for Moving to Current Residence by Age Group
March 2007 quarter |
| Type of move |
Age group (years) |
| Under 20 |
20–29 |
30–39 |
40–49 |
50+ |
| Within urban area |
Social |
Social |
Economic |
Environment |
Environment |
| From urban to rural area |
Social |
Employment |
Housing |
Environment |
Environment |
| Within rural area |
- |
Employment |
Employment |
Employment |
- |
| From rural to urban area |
- |
Social |
Employment |
Environment |
- |
Note: Rural area denotes rural centre or other rural area.
Symbol: - Result not available due to low response for the category.