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

2. 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. 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. 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).