Perceived and objective conditions as predictors of the life satisfaction of urban and non urban elderly

The effects of objective and subjective conditions on the life satisfaction of urban and non urban elderly are examined in a sample consisting of 1405 randomly selected elderly Vermonters in a four-county area of Northwestern Vermont. Results confirm that there are few significant objective differences between urban and non urban elderly. However, the non urban feel subjectively that they are better off on most conditions. Perceived evaluations of status are found to be better predictors of life satisfaction than objective measures. Furthermore, most disadvantaged conditions are better predictors of life satisfaction for urban residents than for non urban residents.