Insecurity is driving families with children away from apartment areas

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Insecurity, disturbances of public order, and social problems in apartment areas are among the reasons for families with children in the Helsinki region to consider moving away. As many as half of these families are considering change of residence, according to a recent survey financed by the Academy of Finland and conducted by a group of researchers from the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES), the City of Helsinki Urban Facts, and the University of Helsinki.
      The survey was carried out among the residents of the Helsinki metropolitan area, and the number of responses was 10,000.
      One in three respondents who were planning to move away wanted a safer environment for their children. Furthermore, they wanted to have a bigger home - preferably in a quiet residential district predominated by single-family houses and surrounded by nature.
      According to researchers Matti Kortteinen, Martti Tuominen, and Mari Vaattovaara, residents of apartment areas report disturbances as much as five times more frequently than those living in single-family residential districts.
      On the other hand, according to a recent international survey, the Helsinki metropolitan area was found to be among the safest cities, enjoying an exceptionally even socio-economic spread. However, local residents do not find it pleasant or safe to go shopping in malls among beer-swilling gangs, drug users, and mental patients who have been left outside institutional care. Matters like transport connections or municipal and commercial services were not found by the researchers to be significant factors in the desire to move.
      The findings will be published in an article by the authors in the next issue of STAKES's periodical Yhteiskuntapolitiikka (Social Policy).


Links:
  The National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES)
  The Academy of Finland
  City of Helsinki Urban Facts

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