Do natural amenities affect location choices of workers? Evidence for Brazilian metropolitan regions

Abstract

The article shows evidence of the importance of the natural attributes of metropolitan regions (MR) of Brazil in workers´ location choices. The analysis is based on the Roback location choice model (1982). The model was used to derive the value placed by workers on living in localities that offer them consumption of natural amenities. The main results of the survey show that workers are willing to pay to live in MRs closer to the sea, with higher annual average rainfall rates, in more humid MRs, or with higher average temperatures in January. On the other hand, the offset for workers to live in MRs with higher average rainfall rates in September or higher average temperatures in July should be monetary compensation.