Skip to main content
Log in

A framework for the study of migration destination selection

  • Published:
Population and Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article raises a number of issues that have generally not been addressed in previous studies of migration destination selection. Destination selection is seen as the result of two processes; (1) the sorting among a relatively large number of potential destinations over a lifetime, and (2) the selection among a relatively few (usually one or two) places at the time of the migration decision. Decision rules may differ in the two processes. The actual selection of a destination is based on place utilities derived from a combination of factors including: economic and noneconomic; micro (those attributes unique to one place); and macro (those applicable to larger geographic areas).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, J. S. Directional bias in intra-urban migrationEconomic Geography 1969,45(4), 302–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Balan, J., Browning, H. L., Jelin, E., & Litzler, L. A computerized approach to the processing and analysis of life histories obtained in sample surveysBehavioral Science 1969,14(2), 105–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, R.The impact of interstate highway system on non-metropolitan growth. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Transportation, Final Report, Contract: DOT-RC-92040, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, L. A. & Moore, E. G. The intra-urban migration process: A perspectiveGeografiska Annaler 1970,52B, 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, L. A. & Holmes, J. Intra-urban migration lifelines: A spatial viewDemography 1971,8 103–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlstein, T., Parkes, D., & Thrift, N.Timing space and spacing time, Vol. 1, 2, 3. New York: Halsted Press, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chalmers, J. A., & Greenwood, M. J. Thoughts on the rural to urban migration turnaround,International Regional Science Review 1977,2(2), 167–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin, F. S., Jr. Activity systems and urban structure: A working schema,Journal of the American Institute of Planners 1968,34 11–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • DaVanzo, J.Why families move: A model of the geographic mobility of married couples. Santa Monica, California: Rand Corporation Paper No. R-1972-DOL, 1976.

  • DeVanzo, J.Microeconomic approaches to studying migration decisions. Santa Monica, California: Rand Corporation, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVanzo, J. Repeat migration, information costs, and location-specific capital,Population and Environment 1981,4(1), 45–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVanzo, J., & Morrison, P.A.Dynamics of return migration: Descriptive findings from a longitudinal study. Santa Monica, California: Rand Corporation Paper No. P-5913, 1978.

  • DeJong, F., & Sell, R. R.Residential preferences and migration behavior. Report submitted to The Center for Population Research, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, 1975.

  • DeJong, F., & Gardner, R. W. (Eds.),Migration decision making. New York: Pergamon Press, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuguitt, G.V., & Zuiches, J. J. Residential preferences and population distribution,Demography 1975,12 491–504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldscheider, C.Population, modernization, and social structure. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, B. L., Bender, L. D., & Campbell, R. R.Migration into four communities in the Ozarks region. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas, Agricultural Experiment Station, Bulletin No. 756, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustavus, S.O., & Brown, L. A. Place attributes in a migration decision context,Environment and Planning 1977,9 529–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hägerstrand, T. What about people in regional science?Papers, Reginal Science Association 1970,24 7–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lansing, J. B., & Mueller, E.The geographical mobility of labor. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research, Survey Research Center, 1967.

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, L. H., & Hansen, K. A.Reasons for interstate migration: Jobs, retirement, climate, and other influences. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Current Population Reports, Special Studies, Series P-23, No. 81, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, I. S.Migration and metropolitan growth: Two analytical models. San Francisco: Chandler, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy, K. F., & Morrison, P. A.The changing demographic and economic structure of nonmetropolitan areas in the 1970s. Santa Monica, California: Rand Corporation Paper No. P-6062, 1978.

  • Morrison, P. A.The propensity to move: A longitudinal analysis. Santa Monica, California: Rand Corporation Paper No. R-654-HUD, 1971.

  • Morrison, P. A. An analysis of annual migration flows into and out of metropolitan areas. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, Population Association of America, Seattle, 1975.

  • Norton, A. J., & Glick, P. C. What's happening to households?American Demographics 1979, 1(3), 19–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Price, D. O. & Sikes, M. M.Rural-urban migration research in the United States. Center for Population Research Monograph, DHEW Publication No. (NIH)7 5–565, 1975.

  • Quigley, J. M. & Weinberg, D. H. Intra-urban residential mobility: A review and synthesis,International Regional Science Review 1977,2(1), 41–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roseman, C. C. Migration as a spatial and temporal processAnnals of the Association of American Geographers, Resource Papers for College Geography, No. 77-2, 1977.

  • Roseman, C. C. & Williams, J. D. Metropolitan to nonmetropolitan migration: A Decisionmaking perspectiveUrban Geography, 1980, 1(4), 283–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sell, R. R. & DeJong, G. F. Toward a motivational theory of migration decision makingJournal of Population 1978,1(4), 313–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sell, R. R. & DeJong, G. F. Deciding whether to move: Determinants of alternative paths within the migration decision process. Paper presented to the Population Association of America, Philadelphija, 1979.

  • Sjaastad, L. A. The costs and returns of human migrationJournal of Political Economy 1962,70(suppl.). 80–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Speare, A. Jr., Goldstein, S., & Frey, W. H.Residential mobility, migration, and metropolitan change. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Ballinger Publishing Company, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, D. W., & Bachtel, D. C. Rural turnaround in southern Ohio: A five county study. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, 1978.

  • Toney, M. B. The simultaneous examination of economic and social factors in destination selection: Employing objective and subjective measures,Demography 1978,15(2), 205–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tversky, A. Elimination of aspects: A theory of choice,Psychological Review 1972,79 281–299.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Arsdol, M. D., Jr., Sabagh, G., & Butler, E. W. Retrospective and subsequent metropolitan residential mobilityDemography 1968,5 249–267.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. D., & Sofranko, A. J. Motivations for the in-migration component of population turnaround in nonmetropolitan areasDemography 1979,16(2), 239–256.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpert, J. Behavioral aspects of the decision to migratePapers and Proceedings, Regional Science Association, 1965,15 159–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zelinsky, W. Coping with the migration turnaround: The theoretical challengeInternational Regional Science Review 1977,2(2), 175–178.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Requests for reprints should be addressed to the author at 220 Davenport Hall, 607 South Matthews Ave., Urbana, IL 61807.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Roseman, C.C. A framework for the study of migration destination selection. Popul Environ 6, 151–165 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01258957

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01258957

Keywords