Horizon Research has conducted a survey in Nanjing about the life of "new urban migrants" there, finding that 60% of them return to their hometowns only once in a year, despite the fact that many of them suffer from severe homesickness, especially females under 30 years old.

The survey covers 1,553 respondents, 75% of whom confess that they feel homesick at festivals. That well explains why so many "new urban migrants" take over-crowded trains to get back home during the Spring Festival.

However, some 3.8% of them are lucky enough to go home once every month.

The respondents agree that the advantages of their hometowns are lower commodity prices, better ecoenvironment and warmer interpersonal relations, but they appreciate the better chances for personal development and job opportunities in big cities, as well as various entertainments and a large circle of friends here

It is said that men are more used to urban life than women, and not likely to suffer from homesickness.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2007)