Students' Willingness to Live in a Studentified Neighbourhood
2025-11-19
This study investigates the factors influencing university students' residential preferences in the studentified neighbourhood of Balatcik, İzmir, shaped by the establishment of İzmir Katip Çelebi University (İKÇÜ). A survey was conducted with 216 students currently living in Balatcik, and logistic regression analysis was employed to identify determinants of willingness to continue residing in the area. The results reveal that physical attributes (such as the availability of green spaces, quality of housing and student‐friendly amenities) significantly increase the likelihood of living in Balatcik, while nuisances (noise, littering and safety issues) significantly decrease it. Other factors, such as inclusivity and student‐friendliness, did not show significant effects, reflecting the contextual nature of studentification. The findings highlight both the attractiveness of physical amenities and the deterrent role of nuisances, while also acknowledging that proximity to campus remains the primary reason for students' residential decisions. While studentification is shaped by multiple stakeholders, this study focuses on the student perspective, offering insights into how students themselves evaluate neighbourhood conditions. By presenting evidence from Türkiye, where studentification dynamics differ from those observed in other countries, the study contributes an original perspective to the international literature.