Staying Put or Moving on? Exploring Motivations for Residential Flows in Danish “Ghetto” Neighborhoods

Residential segregation and mobility flows in vulnerable neighborhoods have long been central themes in urban studies. In Denmark, the politically designated “ghetto” non-profit housing neighborhoods represent a case of urban transformation, marked by stringent housing policies and territorial stigma. This study investigates the residential inflows and outflows of these vulnerable neighborhoods, exploring the sociodemographic characteristics of movers and stayers and the motivations underlying residents’ decisions to move in, stay or leave. Using a mixed-methods approach, we integrate quantitative analyses of residential mobility patterns with qualitative insights from both native and non-native residents and local key stakeholders to provide a more comprehensive understanding of residential decision-making. The quantitative findings show that long-term stayers are often less educated, middle-aged, married non-Western immigrants, while in-movers, out-movers, and short-term stayers tend to be younger and more active in the labor market. The qualitative findings deepen this analysis by highlighting how decisions to move are influenced by personal and social factors, with many residents choosing to stay due to affordable housing and community ties despite the stigma associated with these neighborhoods. By combining these perspectives, the findings highlight the interplay of sociodemographic characteristics, individual choices, and external factors, underscoring the importance of an integrated methodological approach to capture both individual agency and broader social structures in understanding residential mobility dynamics in vulnerable neighborhoods.