Socio‐spatial negotiations in Lisbon: Reflections of working‐aged lifestyle migrants on place and privilege

Abstract

In the context of inequalities inherent in regimes of mobility and the rapid transformation of Lisbon by increased tourism and transnational mobility, this paper seeks to foreground under-the-radar narratives of young working-aged middle-class migrants on their socio-spatial positioning in the city. Situated at the nexus of youth mobilities and lifestyle migration, our objective is to examine the stratifications and diversities present within lifestyle migration to the city by focusing on migration motivations and migrants' own reflections on their place-making strategies and privilege in the city. Based on 10 narrative interviews and participant observation in transnational hangouts, our results reveal how the creation of "alternative" lifestyles is hinged on both mobility practices and local moorings as young movers reinvent themselves professionally in the place of arrival. Our results show that they negotiate their place and social position through (i) balancing place-consumption practices between what is construed as the transnational and the local and (ii) by situating themselves outside of the subjective residential geography of privileged migrants. This is part of a moral code to appease their political conscience and justify their presence in a city that has been rapidly transformed by tourism and other transient populations.

The Platformization of Student Housing and the Rise of Mid‐Term Rentals. The Case of Uniplaces in Lisbon

“…Portugal was severely hit by the 2008 financial crisis and as a result, in Lisbon, the political decision, alongside austerity measures, was taken to place the city in the global circuit of both tourism mobilities and capital in order to combat the recession. Consequently, it has been marketed as a destination for transnational populations, including tourists, privileged migrants, digital nomads and international students (Jung & Buhr 2022; Molina Caminero & McGarrigle 2022). Between 2012 and 2019, the number of both hotels and airport arrivals doubled, while STRs increased from 900 to more than 19,000 in the same period (Ferreira et al .…”

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“…Huete and Mantecón (2009, 167) made a distinction between permanent residents who fully relocated to Spain, temporary residents who live in a home that they do not own (usually it is rented or owned by relatives or friends), and second‐home owners; that is, international citizens who own a home but are not registered in the Spanish population register. Molina Caminero & McGarrigle (2023) examined the differences amongst lifestyle migrants in London based on their motivations and their own reflections. Molina Caminero & McGarrrigle (2023) and Huete and Mantecon's (2009) reflections based on motivations, mobility and forms of housing tenancy needs to be complemented with Wright's (1980) approach insofar as the social differences amongst lifestyle migrants is ultimately shaped by individuals' positions within the relations of production.…”

“…Molina Caminero & McGarrigle (2023) examined the differences amongst lifestyle migrants in London based on their motivations and their own reflections. Molina Caminero & McGarrrigle (2023) and Huete and Mantecon's (2009) reflections based on motivations, mobility and forms of housing tenancy needs to be complemented with Wright's (1980) approach insofar as the social differences amongst lifestyle migrants is ultimately shaped by individuals' positions within the relations of production. Specifically, banks' individualized scrutiny of Swedish clients' profile when the latter request a mortgage loan to acquire a dwelling in Spain is illustrative of the latter' privileged position ‐or not‐ in the relations of production.…”

“…Lifestyle migrants take advantage of the asymmetrical social relations derived from a global division of labour which situates them economically above other social groups (Hayes, 2018). However, such asymmetrical social relations also exist amongst lifestyle migrants themselves, as the social composition of lifestyle migrants is highly heterogeneous (Huete & Mantecón, 2011; Molina Caminero & McGarrigle, 2023).…”

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