The research focuses on the analysis of internal migration of young people from smaller settlements to larger ones, and the ways in which changing their place of residence affects their daily lives and lifestyles. This phenomenon involves the transition and abandonment of one way of life and its adaptation in response to the change in residence. Assuming that young people possess subjective perceptions about what to expect, what to seek, and how to achieve personal goals when changing their place of residence, the study analyzes the transformation of lifestyle and daily life with respect to the temporal dimension, and the connection between potential changes and migration to larger settlements. The study is based on the assumption that an urban lifestyle creates a distinction, that is, separates lifestyles and shapes the ambition to escape rigid norms and change value priorities (Ilišin, 2013). The research employs a qualitative methodology to investigate the similarities and differences in the lives of young people in smaller and larger cities, specifically Dubrovnik and Zagreb, focusing on daily life, motivation for relocation, housing, and the social and cultural aspects of quality of life. The results indicate a transformation in lifestyle and a positive perception of migration to a larger city, particularly concerning professional development and the cultural aspects of daily life.