A comparative analysis of movers and non-movers to a retirement community

The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences exist between movers and non-movers to a retirement community in the areas of demographic characteristics, residential characteristics of the most recent age-integrated community dwelling, and residential satisfaction. A personal interview schedule was developed and administered to a random sample of 32 elderly (age 62+) residents of the Montgomery County/City of Radford, Virginia community-at-large (non-movers) and 32 residents of a Montgomery County, Virginia retirement community (movers). T-test and chi square analyses were used to examine the data.

The findings revealed significant differences (P<.05) between the two groups in marital status, income, residential characteristics of the most recent age-integrated community dwelling including tenure, dwelling type, dwelling age, number of rooms, length of residence, presence of major structural problems, neighborhood, and overall satisfaction levels. Non-movers were more likely to be married homeowners who were more satisfied with their present housing and neighborhoods than movers were with their previous housing. Non-movers' dwellings were more likely to be single-family detached, older, and larger, and contained fewer structural problems than the previous dwellings of movers.