Abstract
Recent literature suggests that the increasingly blurred relationship between paid
employment and retirement facilitates a retirement transition period, a life ourse
stage which may involve a change of residence. The role of pre-retirement mobility in the repopulation of rural areas has, however, received relatively little
academic scrutiny from UK geographers. This article draws upon findings from
a two-year study conducted in three UK case study areas. It examines the extent
of pre-retirement age (aged 50-64) migration into rural communities and the impacts this type of movement has upon economic activity, social and community engagement and service provision. It is argued that while this underresearched group offers significant potential to support the social and economic sustainability of rural communities (at least in the short and medium term), there are notable regional variations which are likely to have important long term implications for rural communities as this cohort ages in situ.
employment and retirement facilitates a retirement transition period, a life ourse
stage which may involve a change of residence. The role of pre-retirement mobility in the repopulation of rural areas has, however, received relatively little
academic scrutiny from UK geographers. This article draws upon findings from
a two-year study conducted in three UK case study areas. It examines the extent
of pre-retirement age (aged 50-64) migration into rural communities and the impacts this type of movement has upon economic activity, social and community engagement and service provision. It is argued that while this underresearched group offers significant potential to support the social and economic sustainability of rural communities (at least in the short and medium term), there are notable regional variations which are likely to have important long term implications for rural communities as this cohort ages in situ.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 303-320 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Journal of Rural and Community Development |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- lifecourse migration
- middle-age
- retirement
- rural economic and community impacts
- U.K.