Relationship between subjective wellbeing, personality traits, and lifestyle migration: A web-based survey analysis in Japan

Abstract

Lifestyle migration refers to voluntary urban-rural relocation in pursuit of self-realization and a better quality of life. Although its popularity has grown particularly in aging societies and amid the expansion of remote work, empirical evidence on its relationship with subjective wellbeing (SWB) remains limited. This study examines associations among actual lifestyle migration, SWB, and personality traits in Japan, a context paralleling European trends but features strong policy support for regional relocation. A web-based survey of 905 adults in Japan (230 lifestyle migrants and 675 urban residents [non-migrants]) assessed SWB using three indicators (Cantril’s Ladder [CL], Satisfaction With Life Scale [SWLS], Interdependent Happiness Scale [IHS]) and personality using the Japanese Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI-J). Lifestyle migrants scored higher in openness and conscientiousness and lower in neuroticism, whereas no significant differences were observed for extraversion or agreeableness. Between-group differences in SWB were limited: the migration status was not significantly associated with CL or IHS and showed a small positive association with the 10 % level for SWLS after adjustment for covariates. Within the lifestyle migrants, openness was negatively associated with CL, agreeableness was positively associated with IHS and marginally with SWLS, and neuroticism was negatively associated with SWLS. Self-rated health was positively associated with all outcomes. Overall, the findings partly support the existence of a distinct migrant profile but indicate only modest adjusted SWB advantages after migration. The negative association between openness and CL may reflect friction between novelty seeking and adaptation to local norms. Receptive communities may help mitigate this friction and enhance wellbeing.