Exploring the Shifting Motivations for Counter-Urbanization Moves: A Comparative Analysis

Abstrakt

Building upon Peter Rossi’s foundational research on migration
motivations in the 1950s, this study examines the main reasons for counterurbanization
moves. Rossi, employing the reason analysis methodology pioneered
by Paul Felix Lazarsfeld, identified core factors influencing relocation decisions.
We utilize a similar approach, adapted to the contemporary context, to
explore the composition of motives for counterurbanization movements and
compare Rossi’s findings with data collected in recent years. This comparative
analysis sheds light on how the main motives for relocation have changed
over time.
The research explores the factors driving individuals to pursue lifestyle
changes through migration, analysing the relative importance of various
motivations in the current landscape. While our findings suggest that core factors
like physical space (size) and home ownership remain relevant, the social
environment holds a different significance today. Unlike the past focus on the
social status of neighbours, contemporary lifestyle migrants prioritize how
a location aligns with their occupational and leisure pursuits. Hobbies, which
often contribute to household income, now factor into the social environment
equation, shaping the desired community characteristics. By examining
historical and contemporary trends, this study reveals the evolving nature
of human mobility and the factors shaping people’s decisions to relocate for
improved quality of life.