The Impact of the Move

Abstract

What the chapter illustrates is that for many tenants moving from Millers Point was devastating. Echoing previous research which has found that involuntary moves due to gentrification evoke much anguish, anger and even premature death, many Millers Point residents found moving to another neighbourhood deeply distressing. The impact of moving was certainly varied. For some tenants, it was not a major concern. These tenants tended to have minimal place attachment or strong social ties in the area. In the case of tenants with strong place attachment and social ties, the move was often traumatic. Interviewees spoke of their deep sadness and distress at leaving what they viewed as a unique and genuine community. Many found themselves socially isolated. For some tenants, this precipitated deep depression. For older, more frail tenants their capacity to age in place was undermined or destroyed. Besides the social isolation, some tenants found themselves in homes that had a range of problems or neighbours that were extremely anti-social.