Why Migrants Stay in Small and Mid-sized Cities: Analytical and Comparative Insights

Small- and mid-sized cities in Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand have increasingly looked to international migration to boost economic growth, address population decline, and fill labour shortages. Policies and strategies adopted to attract but especially retain migrants are often deemed unsuccessful, however, as most migrants continue to show a preference for larger cities. The retention of migrants is generally seen as a goal that can be achieved by meeting specific criteria at the city level such as providing jobs and services and creating a welcoming environment. In this special issue we aim to move beyond this view to consider migrant retention in a broader frame. In this editorial introduction we raise three key analytical points. Firstly, we conceptualise the temporal and spatial dimensions of retention, noting how retention is not only about how long migrants stay in a place but also why they stay there, where they move on to, and whether they return. Secondly, we consider how migrants decide to move or stay, and the extent to which these processes can be considered purely rational, or also subjective and inter-subjective. In this sense, we consider what migrants “do” with policies, rather than how policies shape their decisions to stay or leave. Thirdly, we explore how not only formal but also informal policies and practices play a role in making cities welcoming and attractive to migrants. We then present a place-based perspective and offer some comparative insights. The contents of the Special Issue are subsequently presented.