Final answer:
Individuals assess the comparative attractiveness of locations when considering migration. Attractiveness encompasses economic opportunities, social conditions, educational facilities, and healthcare quality. Migration is influenced by multiple factors beyond economics, such as comfort, stability, and the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering migrating, individuals will assess the comparative attractiveness of their present location and any potential destination. This concept falls under the broad category of selective migration, as individuals determine where to move based on factors that correspond to their needs and desires. The attractiveness of a place can include a wide array of factors such as economic opportunities, social conditions, political climate, environmental quality, and the availability of health resources and educational facilities.
One of the main reasons for migration is the search for better economic opportunities. For example, the indifference curve used by economists shows the trade-offs that individuals or families are willing to make to achieve a certain level of happiness or utility. Shared elements of happiness can range from a larger living space to having more meals per day, and families will migrate to where they can optimize these elements within their budget constraints.
However, migration is not solely motivated by economic factors. Social issues such as unemployment, urban decay, or the quality of healthcare and education also play a significant role in the decision-making process. For instance, middle-class individuals often seek to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, which includes a high-quality education and healthcare for their children as indicated by Gilbert (2010).
The broader environment, such as political stability and freedom, is also a strong motivation for movement, historically seen during events like the fourteenth-century migrations due to worsening environmental conditions. Thus, when answering the question, it is the attractiveness of a place that people commonly assess, which encompasses a combination of many different personal and environmental factors.