Used a four-year participant observation study of 15 older adults in an Appalacian town to explore the tensions between factors that encourage relocation to the homes of children who moved outside the area and the inertia caused by reluctance to give up a familiar lifestyle and local friends. (JAC)

Surveyed older adults (N=158) who migrated from urban to rural areas to explore implications of residential choice. Data showed that while older rural residents have less access to services, they are more satisfied, more likely to perceive improvements over the former residence, and are more attached to their residences. (Author/JAC)