The boomer generation continues to hold sway over housing trends. As these presumed empty-nesters start to retire and possibly move to downsize or be closer to children and grandchildren, builders want to know where they plan on going. Joel Kotkin, executive editor of NewGeography.com, and demographer Wendell Cox look at the numbers and posit theories about where or if boomers are most likely to migrate. Using statistics from the census, surveys, and expert research, Kotkin and Cox argue that the popular theory of boomers moving to dense, urban locales is not happening. They add that affordable, car-centric Sun Belt cities are attracting the budget-conscious, less-mobile boomers. Below are the top 10 cities where Kotkin and Cox hypothesize boomers will go—that is, if they move at all.
- Las Vegas
- Phoenix
- Tampa-St. Petersburg, Fla.
- Orlando, Fla.
- Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.
- Raleigh, N.C.
- Austin, Texas
- San Antonio
- Jacksonville, Fla.
- Charlotte, N.C.-S.C.
