As a result of restrictive time-space bounds in viewing migration, surprisingly little is known about the tempos and rhythms of geographical mobility in America. We discuss limitations of the conventional definition of migration and develop a life course framework of multiple residence and cyclical migration. Results of an Arizona-based case study reveal that multiple residence is common and more diverse than the annual influx of elderly snowbirds. Coming to grips with multiple residence and recurrent mobility in the United States represents a fundamental challenge in population and migration studies. Key Words: multiple residence, cyclical migration, life course, Arizona.'we thank Curtis Roseman, David Hodge, and the anonymous reviewen for their helpfnl comments. We also thank Barbara Trapido, ASU Cartography Lab, for drafting the figures.His areas of specialization are applied microeconomics and population economics emphasizing elderly, seasonal migration flows.

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For the first time in 1980, the U.S. Census Bureau compiled information relating to seasonal migration. More than one-half million persons were identified as nonpermanent residents of the localities in which they were living on the census day. Interpreting these data as measures of temporary migration flows, this article uses this information for the states of Arizona and Florida to investigate the nature of the seasonal migration of the elderly to Sunbelt states every winter.

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A substantial body of research has focused on the interstate migration of elderly households to the Sunbelt. Most of this research has concentrated on permanent moves, but seasonal migration of elderly households to Sunbelt locations has become an increasingly important social phenomenon. Although some have suggested that such temporary migration serves as a precursor ofpermanent locations, recent analyses have found that such seasonal migration constitutes an alternative elderly life-style. Using 1980 census data, this study empirically examines the similarities and differences in these two types of elderly migration flows to a Sunbelt state such as Arizona. The statistical results indicate that seasonal and permanent migration are correlated in different ways to the variables usually found to be determinants of elderly migration flows and suggest the two types of elderly migration are related but separate phenomena.