Retirement Transition Migration: Implications for Rural Development

Recent literature suggests that the increasingly blurred relationship between paidemployment and retirement facilitates a retirement transition period, a life oursestage which may involve a change of residence. The role of pre-retirement mobility in the repopulation of rural areas has, however, received relatively littleacademic scrutiny from UK geographers. This article draws upon findings froma two-year study conducted in three UK case study areas. It examines the extentof 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.