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

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.