On the individual and social determinants of neighbourhood satisfaction and attachment

Summary

This paper explores the determinants of perceived neighbourhood quality, emphasizing the nexus between two distinct but correlated dimensions along which individuals evaluate their neighbourhoods: satisfaction, traditionally viewed as a cognitive judgement based on the attainment of some standard or aspiration; and attachment, which relates to an affective evaluation. A bivariate probit model is estimated using data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). Significant residual correlation is estimated, which suggests that satisfaction and attachment tap both cognitive and affective aspects of individual attitudes. In addition, average satisfaction and attachment at the neighbourhood level emerge as crucial determinants of individual responses.