The Causal Relationship between Individual’s Choice Behavior and Self-Reported Satisfaction: the Case of Residential Mobility in the EU

Luis Diaz-Serrano () and Alexandrina P. Stoyanova ()
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Alexandrina P. Stoyanova: CREB, Department of Economic Theory. Universitat de Barcelona. Av. Diagonal, 690. 08028 Barcelona (SPAIN).

No XREAP2008-02, Working Papers from Xarxa de Referència en Economia Aplicada (XREAP)

Abstract: One of the most persistent and lasting debates in economic research refers to whether the answers to subjective questions can be used to explain individuals’ economic behavior. Using panel data for twelve EU countries, in the present study we analyze the causal relationship between self-reported housing satisfaction and residential mobility. Our results indicate that: i) households unsatisfied with their current housing situation are more likely to move; ii) housing satisfaction raises after a move, and; iii) housing satisfaction increases with the transition from being a renter to becoming a homeowner. Some interesting cross-country differences are observed. Our findings provide evidence in favor of use of subjective indicators of satisfaction with certain life domains in the analysis of individuals’ economic conduct.

Keywords: Housing satisfaction; residential mobility; homeownership; individual’s choice behavior. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D1 J0 R0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 30 pages
Date: 2008-03, Revised 2008-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dcm, nep-geo, nep-mig and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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http://www.xreap.cat/RePEc/xrp/pdf/XREAP2008-2.pdf First version, 2008 (application/pdf)
http://www.xreap.cat/RePEc/xrp/pdf/XREAP2008-2.pdf Revised version, 2008 (application/pdf)

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