Abstract
It is well-known from previous research that recent migrants often migrate again. This paper seeks to illuminate several possible mechanisms that might give rise to this association. The effect of previous migration on subsequent migration appears to be largely due to the fact that the consequences of one move often become the cause of the next and that people tend to return to places they recently left. The concepts of location-specific capital (assets that are more valuable in their current location than they would be elsewhere) and information costs provide powerful explanations for the patterns of multiple movement disclosed in the longitudinal data used in this study.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Clark, W.A.V., & Huff, J.O. Some empirical tests of duration of stay effects in intraurban migration.Environment and Planning 1977,9(12), 1357–1374.
DaVanzo, J. An analytical framework for studying the potential effects of an income maintenance program on U.S. interregional migration. Santa Monica: The Rand Corporation, R-1081-EDA, 1972.
DaVanzo, J. Differences between return and nonreturn migration: An econometric analysis.International Migration Review, 1976(a),10(1), 13a.
DaVanzo, J. Why families move: A model of the geographic mobility of married couples. Santa Monica: The Rand Corporation, R-1972-DOL, 1976(b).
DaVanzo, J. Repeat migration in the U.S.: Who moves back and who moves on? Laxenburg, Austria: International Institute. An Applied Systems Analysis, WP-80-158, 1980.
DaVanzo, J., & Morrison, P.A. Return and other sequences of migration in the United States.Demography 1981,18 85–102.
Eldridge, H.T., Primary, secondary, and return migration in the United States.Demography 1965,2 444–455.
Goldstein, S.Patterns of Mobility, 1910–1950. Philadelphia: Pennsylvania Press, 1958.
Land, K.C. Duration of residence and prospective migration: Further evidence.Demography 1969,6 133–140.
Lansing, J.B., & Mueller, E. (eds.). The geographic mobility of labor. Ann Arbor. Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 1967.
Long, L.H. & Hansen, K.A. Models of return, repeat, and primary migration by age and race. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America, 1977a.
Long, L.H. & Hansen, K.A. Size of areal units and the rate and volume of return migration. 1977b. Mimeo.
Morrison, P.A. Chronic movers and the future redistribution of population.Demography 1971,8(2), 171–184.
Navratil, F.J., & Doyle, J.J. The socioeconomic determinants of migration and the level of aggregation.Southern Economic Journal 1977,43(4), 1547–1559.
Nerlove, M., & Press, S.J. Univariate and multivariate log linear and logistic models. Santa Monica: The Rand Corporation, R-1306-EDA/NIH, 1973.
Sjaastad, J.A. The costs and returns of human migration.Journal of Political Economy 1962,70(4), 80–93S.
Speare, A. Home ownership, life cycle stage, and residential mobility.Demography 1970,7(4), 449–458.
Speare, A. Kobrin, F., & Kingkade, W.The Influence of Socioeconomic Bonds and Levels of Satisfaction on Interstate Migration. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America. 1979.
Survey Research Center.A Panel Study of Income Dynamics, I andII. Ann Arbor. Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 1968–1972 Interviewing Years. 1972.
Ter Heide, H. Some Aspects of Internal Migration in the Netherlands.Sociologia Neerlandica 1968,4 (2), 137–158.
Van Arsdol, Jr., M.S., Sabagh, G.B., Butler, E.W. Retrospective and Subsequent Metropolitan Residential Mobility.Demography 1968,5 pp. 249–267.
Yezer, A.M.J. & Thurston, L. Migration Patterns and Income Change: Implications for the Human Capital Approach to Migration.Southern Economic Journal 1976,42 (4), p. 693–702.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This paper draws on research supported by grants from the Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, and from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and draws upon findings reported in DaVanzo (1976b). Any views expressed in this paper are those of the author. They should not be interpreted as reflecting the views of The Rand Corporation or the official opinion or policy of any of its governmental or private research sponsors. Special thanks are due to Peter A. Morrison, who carefully read and critiqued numerous drafts. The author also thanks William P. Butz, Glenn Gotz, James P. Hosek, Susan Hosek, and John Rolph for their valuable comments on earlier drafts, and John Raisian, Richard J. Buddin, and Franklin D. Berger for their skilled programming assistance.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DaVanzo, J. Repeat migration, information costs, and location-specific capital. Popul Environ 4, 45–73 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01362575
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01362575