A place in the sun? Discursive constructions of positive outcomes in post-migration stories in the Algarve

Abstract

This study argues for more comparative research between seemingly different migrant groups, bringing a new focus on intra-European migration in Portugal by examining and comparing the reasons why migrants from different geographical origins choose to settle in the tourism-based Algarve region. Drawing on data collected from a questionnaire survey and interviews, the study first compares the profiles of two apparently distinct migrant groups -Northern and Eastern Europeans -and goes on to explore their discursive representations of migration experiences. Findings reveal that despite differences in initial motivations for moving to the Algarve, there are similarities between the two groups in terms of what leads them to settle in the region. Among both groups there is a high level of positive place-identity, suggesting that the specific context of the destination place plays a significant role in positive post-migration outcomes, something which is often overlooked in migration studies. Furthermore, the lived and perceived lifestyle affordances of the destination place, especially when discursively compared with the place and lifestyle left behind, are flagged by both groups and lend support to the idea that the role of lifestyle in migration has a wider significance than is usually credited.

Becoming a part of ‘elsewhereness’: On the self‐perceived integration of Swedish immigrants in Portugal

“…With a limited proficiency in the Portuguese language, or even adopting the practice of not speaking Portuguese, British migrants in densely populated coastal areas easily place themselves into a self-marginalised existence (Torkington, 2015). However, this does not prevent them of feeling that they belong to the place where they have chosen to live, depending on the time that is spent living in the region (Torkington & Perdigão Ribeiro, 2019), and German migrants in Western Algarve have also been shown to have similar feelings (Herbers, 2017).…”

Heading for a ‘Better Life’? Why Swedes Move to Portugal

“…During the last 20 years, a lifestyle-related migration has emerged as a major migration type, alongside traditional labour market-related migration, refugee migration and tied movers (Vandermotten et al 2004;Haas 2011). The prospect of being a permanent tourist (O'Reilly 2007;Ibrahim & Tremblay 2017;Åkerlund 2015), retirement (Casado-Díaz 2006;Gustafsson 2009) and the feeling of affluence and being privileged (Janoschka & Haas 2013;Benson 2014) have stimulated, for example, French to Morocco (Therrien 2013;Therrien & Pellegrini 2015), Brits to France (Benson 2009(Benson , 2010(Benson , 2011(Benson , 2013b, Spain (O'Reilly 2000 and Portugal (Torkington 2010(Torkington , 2015Torkington & Perdigão Ribeiro 2019), Americans to Panama (Jackiewicz & Craine 2010;Benson 2013a) and Swedes to Spain (Gustafsson 2001;Olsson 2017;Woube 2017) and Malta (Åkerlund 2013Åkerlund & Sandberg 2014).…”

The Role of Locally-produced Foreign-language Media in the Migration Experiences of Lifestyle Migrants in the Algarve

“…One obstacle to integration that is almost always cited is the language barrier. Many studies have observed that inability to communicate in the local language is widespread (Torkington & Ribeiro 2019). The reasons listed for the creation and maintenance of this language barrier are always similar: participants report that it is not, after all, necessary to learn and use the local language to enjoy the "good life", including in the Algarve (Torkington 2015).…”