A Dynamic Mode! of Simultaneous Migration and

vrije Universiteit amsterdam This paper describes a-dynamic micro-model of joint decision making of household with respect to migration decis.ions and work place relocation and commuting distance. The simultaneous structure among these dynamic decision processes is modelled taking into account commuting distance. The study of these interrelated decision processes is the subject of life course analyses, a method developed in demography, whereby multiple events in the life course of individuals and households are modelled simultaneously in continuous time. In this paper a slightly different approach is taken by studying joint decision processes of migration and work place relocation in the household. The paper concentrates on methodological aspects of these types of models and gives an empirical application in the Dutch context. The model is estimated using Dutch household panel data covering the period 1984- 1987. The results show that commuting distance has an impact on the decision to change residence and on the decision to change job location. On average, households move closer to work when choosing a new place of residence, but contrary to expectations based on minimizing distance, a change of job results in an increase in the average commuting distance. A first draft of this paper was presented at the 30th European Congres