LOVE, MONEY, LOCATION: THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF MARITAL STATUS, INCOME, AND LOCATION CHOICE OF IMMIGRANTS TO BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Abstract

AbstractThe objectives of this study are twofold: first, we assess what factors “anchors” are keeping immigrants in their current place of residence, and what variables drive immigrants to move out of their community. Second, we also look at how the effects of these factors on migration differ by whether or not immigrants are living in ethnic enclaves and by the macro-level economic environment. We find that the conventional “anchors” of mobility are less powerful for immigrants living in co-ethnic regions. Results also show that under depressed economic conditions, migration decisions are largely driven by economic factors, and that socio-demographic factors like marital status are less consequential. Conversely, when general economic conditions are better for immigrants, marital status will weigh more heavily on migration decisions.