Older Americans On The Go: How Often, Where, and Why?

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The brief’s key findings are:

  • Nearly one third of older homeowners moved at least once during 1992-2004.
  • Most moves were short distance, indicating no mass migration to the Sun Belt.
  • Most moves appear driven by family or financial reasons or a desire to upgrade housing, not by traditional retirement reasons such as climate or leisure.
  • Movers fall into two broad groups: Planners, who tend to move by choice, and Reactors, who tend to move due to unexpected circumstances.