Ivanichev A. V. Migration Strategies of New Settlers in the Russian Far East: Between Rootedness and Mobility

The article examines the migration strategies of new settlers in the Russian Far East through the lens of social mobility and rootedness. The study is based on a qualitative methodology. The empirical base consists of 11 semi-structured interviews (n = 11). Among all Far Eastern regions, Primorskiy Krai was selected as the main case for the study. Field data were collected in the spring of 2025, and the analysis was conducted following a grounded theory approach. The study shows that the decision to relocate is driven by a combination of educational, family, and self-fulfillment motives, while the process of settling in is determined by a set of conditions that include the region’s economic, infrastructural, and climatic characteristics. The study concludes that there is a need to shift the focus of migration policy: it is necessary not only to stimulate migration inflows, but also to create conditions for the sustainable rootedness of new settlers. This requires developing urban infrastructure, making housing affordable, and providing support to local communities.