The immigrants' residential settlement process: The case of Koreans in the Detroit region.

Abstract

This study presents a description and an analysis of the residential settlement process among Korean immigrants in the Detroit metropolitan area. Data are derived from questionnaires administrated to a probability sample of 148 Korean households and interviews with a subsample of 39 households. A conceptual framework guiding the analysis shows linkage between the physical attributes of the immigrants' dwelling and neighborhood and their residential choices, evaluations, and adjustments. Residential aspirations reflecting the immigrants' social and cultural background were also considered as part of the framework. The settlement process includes three stages: (1) initial, (2) prior, and (3) present residence. The in-depth interviews primarily covered the initial and the prior residence, while data describing the present residential situation was obtained through the questionnaire survey. The findings from this study indicate that the immigrants' residential settlement process, particularly in the last twenty years, starts at their relatives' dwellings, which are located in suburban areas. They subsequently settle into a rental unit near their receiving relatives so as to have access to assistance in adjusting to the new society. The settlement process evolves with the needs of their children as they next settle into their own dwellings. The number and age of the children and the need for playground space make it difficult to find a rental housing unit. The school district is also significant in choosing a neighborhood. Tenure status and house value affect the immigrants' evaluations of their present residence. Homeowners were more satisfied with their neighborhood than renters. Homeowners who lived in relatively higher-priced dwellings gave high marks to both neighborhood and dwelling attributes, including quietness, privacy, and amount of yard space. On the whole, the longer the immigrants resided in the U.S., the higher their satisfaction with their residence. On the other hand, the importance of living near relatives and friends generally diminished as the immigrants' length of residence in the U.S. got longer. Regarding the next residence, the single-family detached house is the type of dwelling overwhelmingly preferred and the vast majority of the respondents plan to own a new-structure house. The implications of the findings for designing a dwelling and planning a neighborhood, along with areas for future research, are discussed.