Residence vs. Location — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 15, 2024
Residence refers to a place where someone lives, often a house or apartment, while location denotes a specific place or position, generally in a broader context.
Difference Between Residence and Location
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Residence is specifically about a living space or dwelling, highlighting the personal aspect and the physical structure associated with one's home. It implies a degree of permanence or semi-permanence, where individuals or families lead their daily lives. On the other hand, location is a more general term that can refer to any place or position, irrespective of its use or significance. It can denote a geographical point, an address, or the situational context of an object or place within a larger area.
While residence is inherently linked to human habitation, location covers a wider array of references, including geographical areas, coordinates on a map, and places of interest. For example, the location of a historical landmark, a business, or a natural phenomenon doesn’t qualify as a residence, but each has a specific location that can be pinpointed or described.
The specificity of a residence involves not just its physical structure but also legal and social implications, such as ownership, rental agreements, and the sense of home it provides. Location, by contrast, carries importance in logistics, navigation, and spatial awareness, without necessarily implying ownership or personal attachment.
Residences are chosen or acquired based on a variety of personal preferences, needs, and financial capabilities, reflecting aspects of individual or family identity. Locations, however, are described or selected based on geographical, strategic, or practical considerations, which may include but are not limited to, residential purposes.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A place where someone lives.
A specific place or position.
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Significance
Personal living space, implying habitation.
Geographical or situational context.
Scope
Limited to habitable structures.
Broad, encompassing any identifiable point.
Implications
Legal, social, and personal.
Geographical, logistical, strategic.
Selection
Based on personal needs, preferences.
Based on a wide range of considerations.
Compare with Definitions
Residence
A place where a person lives permanently or for an extended period.
Their residence is a cozy apartment in the city center.
Location
A specific place or position.
The location of the lost city has been a mystery for centuries.
Residence
A home or dwelling.
The family's summer residence is by the lake.
Location
Geographical coordinates.
The GPS provided the exact location.
Residence
A legal term referring to the official home of an individual.
Tax laws vary depending on your country of residence.
Location
A place of business or establishment.
The company has locations in several countries.
Residence
An architectural term for a building designed as a dwelling.
The architect designed a modern residence for the couple.
Location
The strategic or advantageous position of something.
The restaurant's location near the park attracts many visitors.
Residence
The state of living in a particular place.
His residence in the country was marked by tranquility.
Location
The setting or environment of an event or activity.
The movie's location was a remote island.
Residence
A residence is a place (normally a building) used as a home or dwelling, where people reside.
Location
In geography, location or place are used to denote a region (point, line, or area) on Earth’s surface or elsewhere. The term location generally implies a higher degree of certainty than place, the latter often indicating an entity with an ambiguous boundary, relying more on human or social attributes of place identity and sense of place than on geometry.
Residence
A person's home, especially a large and impressive one
The youth hostel has been adapted from a private residence
Location
A particular place or position
The property is set in a convenient location
Residence
The place in which one lives; a dwelling.
Location
An area where black South Africans were obliged by apartheid laws to live, usually on the outskirts of a town or city. The term was later replaced by township.
Residence
The act or a period of residing in a place.
Location
The act or process of locating
Location of the lost hikers took two days.
Residence
A medical residency.
Location
A place where something is or could be located; a site.
Residence
The official home or location of a corporation.
Location
A site away from a studio at which part or all of a movie is shot
Filming a Western on location in the Mexican desert.
Residence
The place where one lives (resides); one's home.
Location
A tract of land that has been surveyed and marked off.
Residence
A building or portion thereof used as a home, such as a house#Noun or an apartment#Noun therein.
Location
A particular point or place in physical space.
Residence
The place where a corporation is established.
Location
An act of locating.
Residence
The state of living in a particular place or environment.
Location
(South Africa) An apartheid-era urban area populated by non-white people; township.
Residence
Accommodation for students at a university or college.
Location
(legal) A leasing on rent.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
Location
A contract for the use of a thing, or service of a person, for hire.
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment
Location
The marking out of the boundaries, or identifying the place or site of, a piece of land, according to the description given in an entry, plan, map, etc
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Location
(Kenya) An administrative region in Kenya, below counties and subcounties, and further divided into sublocations.
Residence
(espionage) rezidentura
Location
The act or process of locating.
Residence
The act or fact of residing, abiding, or dwelling in a place for some continuance of time; as, the residence of an American in France or Italy for a year.
The confessor had often made considerable residences in Normandy.
Location
Situation; place; locality.
Residence
The place where one resides; an abode; a dwelling or habitation; esp., a settled or permanent home or domicile.
Johnson took up his residence in London.
Location
That which is located; a tract of land designated in place.
Residence
The residing of an incumbent on his benefice; - opposed to nonresidence.
Location
A leasing on rent.
Residence
The place where anything rests permanently.
But when a king sets himself to bandy against the highest court and residence of all his regal power, he then, . . . fights against his own majesty and kingship.
Location
A point or extent in space
Residence
Subsidence, as of a sediment.
Location
The act of putting something in a certain place or location
Residence
That which falls to the bottom of liquors; sediment; also, refuse; residuum.
Location
A determination of the location of something;
He got a good fix on the target
Residence
Any address at which you dwell more than temporarily;
A person can have several residences
Residence
The official house or establishment of an important person (as a sovereign or president);
He refused to live in the governor's residence
Residence
The act of dwelling in a place
Residence
A large and imposing house
Common Curiosities
What does location mean?
Location refers to a specific place or position, which can be identified in terms of geography, address, or situation.
Why is location important in real estate?
Location is crucial in real estate because it affects property value, accessibility, and desirability.
Can a location be a residence?
Yes, a location can be a residence if it specifies where someone's home or dwelling is situated.
How is location used in technology?
In technology, location is used for mapping, navigation, tracking, and in various applications requiring spatial information.
How do legal definitions of residence impact individuals?
Legal definitions affect taxation, voting rights, and eligibility for government services based on one’s place of residence.
What is a residence?
A residence is a place where someone lives, typically a house or apartment.
Is the concept of residence the same worldwide?
While the basic concept of residence as a place where people live is universal, legal and cultural interpretations can vary.
How does one describe a residence?
A residence can be described by its type, size, features, and address, reflecting its nature as a personal living space.
How does a residence differ from a location?
A residence is specifically a living space, while a location is any identifiable point or place, regardless of its use.
What determines a good residence?
Factors like safety, convenience, comfort, and personal preference play a role in determining a good residence.
What makes a location strategic?
A strategic location offers advantages in terms of visibility, accessibility, and connectivity, important for businesses and military bases.
Can a residence change its location?
The physical residence cannot change its geographical location, but one’s place of residence can change by moving.
Can a business have multiple locations?
Yes, a business can operate in multiple locations, each serving as a place of operation or service delivery.
What is the significance of location in storytelling?
In storytelling, the location sets the scene, influences the plot, and adds depth to the narrative by providing context.
Can the environment influence the choice of residence?
Yes, environmental factors like climate, natural beauty, and risk of natural disasters significantly influence residence choices.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
