This study empirically analyzed age-friendly factors and their spatial characteristics that influence the residential mobility of pre-elderly individuals (aged 50–64 years) across 163 non-metropolitan regions in South Korea. The analytical framework...
This study empirically analyzed age-friendly factors and their spatial characteristics that influence the residential mobility of pre-elderly individuals (aged 50–64 years) across 163 non-metropolitan regions in South Korea. The analytical framework was grounded in the WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities and Communities guidelines, and a spatial lag model was employed to examine the research objective in depth. The results identified healthcare, housing, safety, and economic conditions as the key determinants significantly affecting the residential mobility of the pre-elderly. These findings indicate that such mobility is not merely a pursuit of end-of-life residential stability, but rather a strategic decision that reflects a balanced consideration of diverse life elements, including medical accessibility, residential quality, social connectedness, and economic self- reliance. Based on these results, the study proposes several policy implications: enhancing access to advanced medical facilities and expanding regionally tailored healthcare infrastructure; redeveloping low-rise, low-density residential areas and promoting age-friendly urban regeneration; creating region-specific job opportunities that align with the economic participation needs of the pre-elderly; expanding age-sensitive employment initiatives; and developing settlement strategies centered on functional living zones to facilitate long-term residence in local communities.