This study examines the relationship between moving intentions and fertility expectations among students at the University of Messina. We examine whether students intending to stay where they live have different fertility expectations compared to those planning to move elsewhere. The study aims at understating to what extent moving intentions correlate with fertility expectations. We used primary collected data through an ad-hoc questionnaire administered to students from the University of Messina during the spring of 2024. We selected students aged 18-44 and applied ordered-probit regression models to examine the effect of moving intentions on fertility expectations. Findings indicate that students who intend to stay in the place where they live are more likely to exhibit higher fertility expectations relatively to students who desire to relocate. This is particularly true when family formation is a prioritized goal. These insights contribute to understand population dynamics in depopulated areas and suggest that policies fostering local opportunities could enhance family formation among young adults.