The Long-run Effects of Housingon Well-Being

Andrew E. Clark (1, 2) , Luis Diaz-Serrano (3, 4)

1 PSE - Paris School of Economics
2 PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques
3 Universitat Rovira i Virgili
4 Universidad Antonio de Nebrija

This paper provides one of the first testsof adaptation tothe complete set ofresidential transitions. We use long-run SOEP panel data and consider the impact of all housing transitions, whether or not they involvea change in housing tenureor geographical movement, on both life satisfaction and housing satisfaction. Controlling for individual characteristics and housing quality, some residential transitionsaffect life satisfactiononly little, while all transitions have a significant effect on housing satisfaction. This latter is particularly large for renters who become homeowners and move geographically,and for renters who move without changing tenure status. Regarding housing satisfaction, we find very little evidence of adaptation even after five years. Losing homeowner status is the only transition that produces lower housing satisfaction, and here the effect seems to become even more negative over time.

Mots clés: Housing; Adaptation; Well-being; SOEP

Domaines: Economies et finances

Andrew E. Clark, Luis Diaz-Serrano. The Long-run Effects of Housingon Well-Being. 2021. ⟨halshs-03230851⟩