Different people identify “home” in various ways. For some, it is tied to tangible elements such as a house, familiar streets, loved ones. For others, home is less about a physical location and more about a feeling: a sense of comfort, belonging, or inner grounding that can exist anywhere.

Migration has long been a subject of research, often framed as a way to escape limitations, seek a fresh start, or begin a new chapter in life. More recently, the concept of lifestyle migration has emerged within this discourse, though it remains relatively underexplored. This form of migration is motivated not by crisis or necessity, but by the pursuit of a different quality of life, whether that means a slower rhythm, a more favorable climate, or improved economic opportunities. Rather than a one-time move, lifestyle migration unfolds as a personal pursuit, an evolving effort to reshape how life is lived. It often involves letting go of rigid routines or chasing new forms of freedom. For many, it is about carving out space for meaning, whether through a better quality of life, more time, or a shift in values (Benson & O’Reilly 2009). These migrations are not driven solely by necessity, but by aspiration: a search for alignment between place, purpose, and self. Each journey is unique in its motivations, destinations, and dreams.

With the theme Second Home, we set out to explore the creative landscape of Paris, a city where many artistic souls find themselves navigating questions of identity, belonging, and transformation. For some, Paris might represent a transitional place; for others, it becomes a place of deep personal rooting. Through our interviews, we seek to understand how experiences of adaptation, nostalgia, and conscious reinvention shape the journey toward finding a second home, and in doing so, allow individuals to step more fully into who they are becoming.