This study analyzes both the strategies residents implement, and the factors they consider when planning residential choice. In addition, it aims to suggest how policy can improve the social capital of communities through residential derivation or relocation of public facilities. The data for this analysis was collected via a questionnaire, targeting apartment dwellers in the inner-city areas of Sendai, Japan. The questionnaire was distributed by hand, and collected by mail. The respondents were classified into two groups based on Planned Residential Duration (PRD): the Long PRD group and the Short PRD group. After examining the data, statistical analyses revealed the following findings: 1) that the importance of factors for residential choice could vary depending on planned residential duration, 2) and that decision making strategy could also vary contingent on planned residential duration. Finally, some implications for the formation of wealthy communities and the distribution of educational facilities were discussed.