Neighborhood Disorder and Resident Sentiment in the Wake of the Las Vegas Foreclosure Crisis

Christie Batson, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Shannon M. Monnat, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Using surveys collected from a sample of 643 households nested within 22 ‘naturally occurring’ neighborhoods in Las Vegas, NV during the most recent economic recession, this study examined associations between real and perceived measures of neighborhood distress (foreclosure rate, physical decay, crime) and residents’ reports of neighborhood quality of life and neighborhood satisfaction. Consistent with social disorganization theory, both real and perceived measures of neighborhood disorder were negatively associated with quality of life and neighborhood satisfaction. Residents’ perceptions of neighborliness partially acted as a buffer against the effects of neighborhood distress on quality of life and neighborhood satisfaction.