Should I stay or should i go? : residential mobility in ethnic enclaves in Lawrence, Massachusetts

Abstract

Spatial assimilation theory presents a dilemma for community-based organizations (CBOs) in ethnic enclaves, especially those CBOs that assist enclavers--residents of ethnic enclaves-in building assets such as increased earnings or English fluency. The theory suggests that as immigrants build assets they are more likely to leave ethnic enclaves in search of more amenity-rich neighborhoods. Thus, the very people that could be leaders in community revitalization are also the most apt to leave, interrupting the potential positive benefits they could have on the community by, for example, spending money in community, creating businesses that employ community members, or serving on the local Parent-Teacher Association. To better understand residential mobility in ethnic enclaves in Lawrence, Massachusetts, this thesis analyzes results of a survey of Lawrence enclavers to identify which factors were important to enclavers in choosing a home both when they first moved to Lawrence and now. Further, this thesis identifies factors that Lawrence meets particularly well and factors that leave room for improvement across several points in time.

(cont.) Contrary to spatial assimilation theory, the findings of this thesis suggest that as enclavers build assets they are actually more likely to plan to stay in Lawrence because they are able to improve their living conditions within the enclave and still maintain wanted social and cultural connections. This implies that the dilemma Lawrence CBOs face may be less problematic than originally thought. However, this thesis also discovered that there were enclavers that built assets and planned to leave Lawrence. Most likely their mobility decisions stem from dissatisfaction with public schools and neighborhood safety. This thesis recommends that Lawrence CBOs pursue initiatives that seek to improve schools and neighborhood safety while expanding the reach of community-based organizations and empowering enclavers.