Happy people in mixed up places: The association between the degree and type of local socioeconomic mix and expressions of neighbourhood satisfaction

Abstract

The potential impacts that a range of social, economic, demographic and structural factors have on an individual's level of perceived satisfaction with their neighbourhood continue to be an important focus of research interest. This paper concentrates on a specific feature of the neighbourhood satisfaction literature by considering the impact of local neighbourhood socioeconomic mix on satisfaction. It suggests that, if neighbourhood satisfaction is associated with strong and sustainable communities, then understanding the drivers of neighbourhood satisfaction remains an important part of the empirical investigation. Using a combination of survey data and aggregate census data, the paper considers how, net of other factors, the socioeconomic mix of the local neighbourhood impacts on satisfaction. It finds that the socioeconomic mix characteristics of the neighbourhood do matter in understanding neighbourhood satisfaction and suggests that this has important implications for polices aiming at strengthening and sustaining local communities.