This paper analyses regional differences in the process of leaving the parental home in the Netherlands. Both the timing as the household formation are linked to two aspects of the housing market: the availability of housing opportunities and the affordability of housing options. Regional differences in the housing market may act upon the motives for leaving home and thus may enhance regional variations in the timing and first housing choice of home leavers. It may also influence the tenure choice of new couples. Not only the housing market but also job and educational opportunities show strong regional disparities.

Based on register data of Statistics Netherlands for the period 2012-2016 the process of leaving home has been analyzed. The micro-data file contains data on all children of the Netherlands with respect to demographic characteristics and the housing situation (before and after having left). The analyses focus on spatial differentials in the process of leaving home, in relation to regional differences in the housing market. For this purpose regression models will be applied for the analyses of both the timing of home leaving (distinguished into nest leavers going to live alone and to those going to live with a partner) and the first housing destination of nest-leavers.