Abstract
Young people living in the Danish-German border region - a geographical periphery of Denmark - are at risk of being marginalized compared to those living in the urban centres. This has traditionally led to a mobility pattern where the ambitious young people move to the urban centres to better their life chances, while the others simply accept the opportunities open to them in their home district. The article questions this view of the spatial differentiation between young people resulting from the changes brought about by globalization. It investigates the diverse strategies of young people living in the border region in dealing with their life opportunities, and reflects upon the influencing factors such as the affiliation and connectedness of young people to their home area, the incentives to leave the home district and move to the urban centres versus staying in the area, the perception of the neighbouring country, and the motives behind going abroad for study or work.