In this paper, data from interviews with residents of the New York metropolitan area are used to examine the relationship between crowding and the adoption of strategies for avoiding crowds. The analyses reveal major differences between recreational and maintenance activities in the frequency with which participants experience crowding and plan to avoid it. Stage in the life cycle and the population density of the place of residence predict the frequency with which individuals encounter crowded conditions. Plans for avoiding crowds are closely linked with the individual's experience of crowding, especially in recreational activities. The implications of these findings for research and policy are briefly explored.
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