We've all heard the phrase, "location, location, location" used to describe the most valuable pieces of real estate. But what is the ideal location for one's home?

According to research in human development, our ideal location will probably switch over time between urban and suburban environments, or suburban and rural environments. Some of the variables within one's developmental stage that affects one's location preference include age, marital status, pet ownership, proximity to water, or ability to garden. Therefore a prospective buyer should assume an active role in the process of searching for that perfect home through open lines of communication with their realtor.

Children in elementary or junior high tend to prefer a suburban environment because it affords them greater freedom to go outdoors to play, and their friends are usually within walking distance. They tend to view their environment in terms of exploration and immediate gratification. As such, suburban and rural environments are often preferred because they can be less structured and regimented. Here young people often have the choice of remaining indoors or going outside.

This ability to go outside at will affords unique opportunities to develop gross motor skills and imagination. For example, a preadolescent might use a swimming pool as a place to pretend to be a mermaid or a dolphin. Another child might climb a tree, pretending to be an undercover cop conducting surveillance work. They might enjoy having a lawn to perform acrobatic moves in imitating their favorite action hero. Thus, spaces that allow for unstructured play, such as a back yard, are important for this age group.

While younger children can find hours of entertainment with items found in nature, adolescence marks a period of development where young people seek entertainment from the manifested environment created by humans.

For those in junior high and older teens who ones lack transportation, the ideal location is near malls, movie theaters and community centers where they can hang out with their peers. For parents of these teens, the suburban environment with its family-oriented population is often perceived to be a safer place. However some teens report growing up in rural areas and some suburban environment as being boring and lacking sufficient stimulation.

As children grow into young adults in their 20s, preferences often evolve to a more urban setting because of the increased availability of social, educational and career opportunities. For this population a variety of restaurants, clubs and sports facilities -- social opportunities to find a potential life partner are the environmental attributes of greatest importance.

However, as these young adults find partners and begin to form families of their own, location preferences often turn to a more suburban or rural environment. This is because parents with young children often prefer to be around by other families who can provide playmates for their children as well as collaboration on methods for child-rearing. Likewise, many of the important considerations for location for this population are access to childcare, quality schools and proximity to grocery stores.

When people enter into their older years (aged 60+) they tend to prefer a more urban environment because it can help support freedom and autonomy. Urban environments tend to have better public transportation so that the individual can get around, numerous parks and community centers where older people can meet to enjoy each other's company, and quality medical services near by. Since old age is often accompanied by a decline in one of the five senses and or movement, an urban environment can support one's independence and allow for them to remain active for a longer period of time.

So, "location, location, location" is a highly variable phrase and depends greatly upon the person with whom the location is being select.

Because preferred locations depend greatly upon the services and opportunities available at that given point in one's life, location preferences often change with our growth and development. Perhaps the best guide for selecting the best location is understanding that most humans like to be around others who are like-minded in some way: children seeking playmates, academics seeking stimulation, yuppies seeking jobs, or simply people needing people with similar life experiences.

Published: February 16, 2006

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David Alan Kopec "DAK" has a Ph.D. in Environmental Psychology with a concentration in perception and design and two master's degrees, one in Architecture and another in Community Psychology. He also has a bachelor's degree in community/public health, is certified by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), a member of Interior Design Education Council (IDEC), and studied the practice and principles of Feng Shui in China. Among DAK's most notable accomplishments include the completion of the first textbook on environmental psychology for design, published by Fairchild Books, which won ASID's 2006 Joel Polsky Prize. He has also authored two monographs; the first analyzes the Americans with Disabilities Act along with the common issues faced by an elderly population, published by ASID. The second monograph discusses the design of long-term care facilities in a multicultural society. This is being published by NCIDQ. Currently DAK is working on a second textbook that analyzes health, sustainability and design. Fairchild Books will release this book in the Spring of 2008. Also, DAK is a 2006 award recipient from Rebuilding Together San Diego. DAK is an Associate Professor of Design at the Newschool of Architecture and Design. In addition, DAK has a private practice, provides consulting services and educational lectures at events such as Neo-Con World’s Trade Fair in Chicago, the annual leadership conference for the American Society for Interior Designers (ASID), and dozens of physician conferences and meetings.