This paper investigates whether various forms of green spaces in the residential environment are associated with city dwellers’ life satisfaction and their willingness to relocate. Previous research on different forms of green spaces in the residential environment as a direct source of life satisfaction is scarce, and we know little about whether green spaces affect the decision to relocate. We address these topics with a two-equation model that estimates respondents’ considerations to relocate while accounting for life satisfaction. With this strategy, we are able to test which aspects of residential greenery (window view, green environment, green yard, own garden, and balcony) are associated with one or both outcomes, controlling for life-course events and demographic characteristics. The data come from a primary survey conducted in two large German cities, Cologne and Hamburg, in 2020/21 (N = 1886). The results show that not having green elements in the window view, not having a green yard, and—exclusively for parents—not having a garden increase the likelihood of considering residential relocation. Not having a balcony and not having a garden are directly associated with decreased life satisfaction, and decreased life satisfaction triggers the willingness to relocate.

Research on the benefits of green living environments in urban settings has gained attention, but comprehensive comparisons across life course phases remain scarce. Furthermore, the importance of green spaces in the context of residential relocations has been underexplored. This study addresses this research gap by testing hypotheses derived from a general theory of well‐being generation and a three‐stage migration model, using data from a two‐wave population survey with 1856 randomly selected respondents in two major German cities. The results show that private, shared, and neighbourhood green spaces are relevant at the very beginning of relocation decision‐making processes, when individuals form their moving intentions. Private gardens deter families from considering and planning relocation, shared green yards have a similar effect across all subgroups, and satisfaction with the availability of green spaces in the neighbourhood decreases the probability of families and older adults considering and planning relocations. Our study highlights the importance of subjective assessments of neighbourhood green spaces, which have a more pronounced impact on forming relocation intentions compared to objective geocoded data. When estimating relocation behaviour in the second study wave, it appears that neither private nor public green spaces seem to have an influence. Recognizing the relevance of green spaces in residential relocations requires considering the longitudinal nature of the decision‐making process.

This chapter provides an overview of the conceptual considerations that guided the choice of research methods and offers a detailed methodological description of their implementation. A comprehensive questionnaire was designed to accurately capture the availability and use of green spaces in and around the respondents’ residences. The chapter explains the process of conducting a random probability sample in the cities of Cologne and Hamburg, explaining the reasons for choosing these specific cities. It also includes the details of field times, the calculation of design weights, and a comparison of the sample’s demographic characteristics with official statistics for Hamburg and Cologne. Additionally, information on data processing and the software used for subsequent analyses is provided. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->

This chapter summarises key findings from the book’s analyses on the motivations for using public green spaces in cities, such as parks, waterfronts, woodlands, and fields, across life course phases and socio-economic classes. The life course phases considered are young adult, family, midlife, and senior phases. The socio-economic classes are higher-grade professionals, lower-grade professionals, routine sales and service workers, and blue-collar workers. The chapter also provides an overview of the key predictors of nature satisfaction across these groups. The chapter emphasises the relevance of distinguishing among different types of urban green spaces and population groups, as the use preferences and the importance of different types of green spaces for overall nature satisfaction vary across both life course phases and socio-economic classes. <!----> <!----> <!----> <!---->