Exploring residential relocation– differences between newcomers and settled residents in health, travel behaviour and neighbourhood perceptions

Abstract

This study explores whether people who have recently moved to an area differ from longer-term residents in their health, travel behaviour, and perceptions of the environment. Using a large, representative sample from the UKHLS, Newcomers demonstrate significantly lower mental and physical health, reduced car commuting, and a higher likelihood of liking their neighbourhood. Area deprivation, urbanicity, household income, and age emerge as influential moderators with i.e. Newcomers in affluent areas experiencing lower physical health than Settled Residents, and rural Newcomers expressing less neighbourhood satisfaction. Our findings highlight that Newcomers' perceptions of their environment diverge and environmental influences vary among population segments, potentially impacting related health behaviours such as active travel. Furthermore, residential relocation introduces Newcomers with distinct characteristics into areas, affecting the context in which potential population health interventions aiming to influence health behaviours operate. This necessitates a deeper understanding of what influences reactions to the environment as well as ongoing adaptation of environmental interventions to respond to changing contexts within the same location over time.