News
05.11.2009
Helsinki Metropolitan Area migration flows in flux
“Helsinki Metropolitan Area migration flows in flux” is a survey examining migration flows, their patterns, and the factors influencing them in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. The survey covers migration flow from other parts of Finland to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, migration flow within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and that from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the surrounding municipalities. The objective is to discover the reasons that influence migration decisions and to identify various consumer types associated with migration. A mail-in questionnaire mapping out the direction of, motives for, and background to migration was completed by over 1 300 respondents in autumn 2008. Research data was also collected through thematic interviews with migrants.
Migration flow from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the surrounding municipalities underwent a clear shift during 2008. While in 2007 the Helsinki Metropolitan Area’s net loss of residents to the surrounding municipalities was approximately 4 600, the number decreased to roughly 3 200 in 2008. The economic downturn accounts in part for this fluctuation, but the changes may also reflect values related to living and an increasing environmental awareness.Finding a pleasant home was noted as the most important aspect in choosing which municipality to reside in. Factors concerning work, the living environment and the availability of services drew migrants from other parts of Finland to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. Those who migrated into and within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area valued an urban living environment and an active life. The attraction of surrounding municipalities was based on lower housing prices and better opportunities for living in detached housing. Almost half of the respondents considered these factors as fairly significant or very significant. Those who migrated from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the surrounding municipalities also valued cosy, peaceful and safe living environments.
Those who moved from other parts of Finland to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area saw, on average, reduced commutes, while the commutes of those moving from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the surrounding municipalities increased by approximately 10–30 kilometres. In migration within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area commutes remained unchanged on average. Among those who moved to the surrounding municipalities, 60% reported spending more time commuting and nearly 70% used private cars to commute. Those who moved to the surrounding municipalities rated their mobility considerably worse than those who moved into or within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
Approximately one half of those who moved within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and two out of three of those who moved to the surrounding municipalities indicated they probably would not have moved to where they did if housing prices in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area were lower. Only a fifth of those who moved within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area had also considered moving to the surrounding municipalities. A more diverse supply of housing and a safer or cosier living environment would have influenced one in two migrants moving within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area or from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the surrounding municipalities. Municipal tax rates, retirement from working life and ecological lifestyle factors had little to no influence on the choice of municipality to move to.
The majority of those who moved into the surrounding municipalities used restaurant and cultural services outside their municipality of residence and purchased durable consumer goods and clothing from neighbouring municipalities. Approximately a quarter of those who moved to the surrounding municipalities also used health, sport and recreational services outside their municipality of residence. Consumer spending increased as a result of moving regardless of the direction of migration.
Approximately one fifth of those who moved from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the surrounding municipalities indicated that they expect to reside in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area again within five years. Over half of those who moved to or within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area indicated they expect to live in detached or terraced housing in five years’ time. Furthermore, one fifth expected this to be in their present municipality of residence and one in two expected it to be elsewhere in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
In order for municipalities to effectively direct migration flows, they must be prepared when it comes to housing production and development control. In addition to detached housing, the Helsinki Metropolitan Area can reduce the migration of families with children to the surrounding municipalities by increasing the supply of reasonably priced low-rise apartment buildings and terraced houses, as well as prioritising low-rise housing production. New housing should also be flexible and adaptable to residents’ changing needs.
Kytö H, Väliniemi J (2009) Helsinki Metropolitan Area migration flows in flux. National Consumer Research Centre. Publications 3/2009.
