The environments in which we live, work, and spend time play a critical role in determining our health outcomes. Factors such as access to clean air, green spaces, and community cohesion, for instance, profoundly impact physical and mental well-being (Chuang et al., 2013; Dominski et al., 2021; Kondo et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2022). Moreover, the built environment wields significant influence in shaping behaviours related to health, such as physical activity (Cerin et al., 2007; de Sa and Ardern, 2014; Handy et al., 2002; Hoehner et al., 2005; Humpel et al., 2002; Knuiman et al., 2014; McCormack et al., 2008; Saelens et al., 2003). Differences in health can thus be created or exacerbated by variations in environmental conditions. This is underscored by the intersection of environmental factors with socio-demographic characteristics, as disadvantaged communities often bear the burden of poor environmental conditions, thereby intensifying existing disparities in health outcomes (Burningham and Thrush, 2003). Recognizing these intricate dynamics among environment, behaviour, and health is paramount for understanding health disparities and enhancing overall public health.

There is evidence that environmental characteristics do not uniformly influence all segments of the population. For example, while street connectivity is positively correlated with adult active transport and physical activity (Gebel et al., 2007), contrasting findings emerge for children (Carver et al., 2008; Norman et al., 2006; Timperio et al., 2006). A conceptual review by Panter et al. (2017) posits that environmental features can hold varying importance for different population groups, such as the elderly or working adults, who tend to spend different amounts of time in their neighbourhoods and possess distinct lifestyles and functional capabilities. Similarly, Abraham et al. (2010) propose that environments are perceived and utilized differently across social groups due to connections with meaning, identity, attachment, belonging, memory, and history.

People who recently moved to a new area may perceive or engage with their environment differently from long-term residents. This could mediate their response to environmental features and likelihood to engage in health behaviour, such as active travel. Extensive research has established differences between movers and non-movers in, for example, age, health, socio-economic position, community attachment, and transportation modes (Bailey and Livingston, 2005; Boyle et al., 1998; Buck et al., 1994; Champion, 2005; Champion et al., 1998; Clark et al., 2016; Clark, 2013; Kasarda and Janowitz, 1974; Livingston and Bailey, 2007; Verplanken et al., 2008; Wallace and Kulu, 2014). Yet, there exists a noteworthy void in research probing whether these distinctive attributes of movers concurrently shape their perceptions of and engagements within their new environments, and what impact that may have on their health and behaviour.

Exploring the differences in how newcomers and longer settled residents view their environments may be particularly important because not all movers are the same and different types of movers tend to settle in different locations (Dennett and Stillwell, 2011; Kienast-von Einem et al., 2023) which has been found to reinforce spatial health and income inequalities between areas (Brimblecombe et al., 2000; Norman et al., 2005; O'Reilly and Stevenson, 2003; Pearce and Dorling, 2010). Such inequalities could be further exacerbated if there are differences in newcomers' environmental perceptions and behavioural responses contingent upon their personal characteristics and the destinations they choose. For instance, if a less healthy mover is more likely to move to a deprived neighbourhood where they react negatively to the environmental features, that in turn may prevent them from engaging in health-improving behaviour.

In this study, we aim to explore differences between individuals who have recently relocation and longer settled residents, including disparities in neighbourhood perceptions and travel behaviour that may affect health. By considering these environmental and behavioural determinants, our study seeks to offer a nuanced perspective on the multifaceted influences shaping health differences within areas and communities. Rather than disregarding Newcomers as sources of ‘noise’ in analyses of the environment-health relationship, we aim to highlight their experiences and tease out the differences to longer-settled residents that may lead to health variations within the population. Our focus is not on establishing causality between the act of moving and observed differences in outcomes, but rather on describing and analysing disparities, irrespective of their origins. Through several regression models, using a large, representative sample of the UK population, we aim to uncover how residential status, socio-demographic factors, neighbourhood characteristics, and travel behaviour relate to health outcomes and determinants. Subsequent interaction analyses unpack variations by household income, age, area deprivation, and urbanicity level. Ultimately, our study aims to make an exploratory contribution to understanding the complex influences on health for individuals transitioning through different environments within the UK population.