1. The Determinants of Migration The factors that influence the decision to migrate and the relative magnitude of each factor.

2. Broad Categories of Factors That Influence Interregional Migration 1. Social factors: new friends, new surroundings, just to get away (such as from rural areas to cities where “more is happening”), right of passage, family and friends in possible destinations. 2. Physical factors: natural disasters like floods (Katrina), earthquakes, nuclear risks, tsunamis. 3. Demographic factors: demographic transition, maturing of the baby boom out of the most highly mobile age classes. 4. Cultural factors: religion, ethnicity. 5. Communication factors: improved transportation networks (steamships, railroads), radio, TV, cinema, internet—all factors that change the obstacles to migration.

3. Variables Potentially Important in Migration Decisions • Economic variables • employment opportunities • job characteristics • occupation • full vs part-time • seasonal • earnings • employment rate—probability of getting a job of one's choice • location of alternative opportunities • cost of living • housing • availability • cost • style • land values • accessibility to jobs • taxes • income • property • sales • inheritance

4. transportation • energy • food and clothing • national inflation rate • education opportunities—for one's self and for one's children • Amenity/disamenity variables • exogenous amenities • climate • warm • cold • temperature variance • humidity • wind • precipitation • terrain • mountains • forests • lakes • beaches • hazards • earthquakes • tornadoes • hurricanes • floods • endogenous amenities • crime • traffic • recreation • etc.

5. pollution • hazards • nuclear waste • nuclear traffic • etc. • mixed endogenous/exogenous amenities/disamenities • social/cultural amenities • presence of relatives • presence of friends • distance from relatives and friends • distance from prior residence • presence of minorities • life styles — social milieu • availability of health care • doctors • hospitals • nursing homes • recreational amenities • golfing • fishing • sightseeing • hunting • swimming • cycling • picnicking • gaming • arts and crafts • restaurants • shopping

6. The Effects of Distance 1. Distance proxies out-of-pocket money costs of moving. 2. Opportunity costs rise with distance. 3. Information declines with distance (due to information costs). 4. Forgone alternatives rises with distance. 5. Psychic costs rise with distance. 6. Family and friends effect (past migrants tended to move to nearby places; current migrants follow past migrants).