The purpose of this paper is to study the settlement process of Chinese immigrants in small towns in the United States. The process includes three stages: initial settlement, adaptation, and permanent settlement. The analytical framework used to analyze these immigrants' experience is based on the concept of “familial-to-familiar.” Using a qualitative approach, findings from the study suggest that family ties are one of the main reasons why Chinese immigrants choose to move to small towns. Regardless of how long they have lived in these towns, many interviewees do not feel that they are permanently settled until certain conditions are met: career development, purchase of a house and family reunification. The settlement process also varies by gender and socio-economic background.
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