Baby Chasers Aging in Place

Children make the world a little softer, a little warmer, a little kinder.

~Unknown

Aging in Place

Received an email message from my friend and Mentor Rick Harry Moody, PhD notifying me about an upcoming Zoom event on aging in place titled “Should I stay or should I go?”

I always like getting Rick’s messages because within them are frequently gems of gerontological interest worth mining. This morning was no exception:

Some time we should talk about the aging-in-place experience of me and my wife, Elizabeth.  (edited)_________________________________________

After all, we moved from a wonderful place in Boulder, Colorado (house on a lake, view of the Rocky Mountains, long-time-friends nearby, on a cul-de-sac where we were leaders of the homeowners association, etc.).  Boulder is a WONDERFUL place.

So why not age in place there?  One answer: grandchildren.  As I write these words, I’m wearing a T-shirt that says, “Grandpa Sauras” (picture of Tyrann Sauras Rex on it). That’s me.  A professional grandfather.  So, THIS is the place where we want to age-in-place: 25 minutes from our three granddaughters.  So, yes, aging-in-place: I’m a believer.  But it’s always a question of WHICH place, isn’t it? 

Question of Place / Baby Chasers

So, it is clear Rick’s (and his wife’s) top priority for aging in place was about grandchildren. He is fortunate (and freely admits it) that he can pull up stakes from aging in THE RIGHT place and move closer to family (a “righter” place).

This phenomenon is termed “baby chasing (BC).”

Today’s top home buyers, millennials, play an important role in where the second top buyers, baby boomers, choose to live. Retirement often comes with a complete change in lifestyle, and many baby boomers are using their children and grandchildren to determine where they next put down roots. In fact, a Zonda survey shows roughly 25% of baby boomers plan to retire in a location near their grandchildren, a decision that earns them the name “baby chasers.” Migration trends are important to understand as they fuel housing demand, and our third annual Zonda Baby Chaser Index captures just that.

~ Ali Wolf

Living in the Portland, Oregon area, I’m very familiar with the trend of BC, the city attracts young people having children. Which also causes boomers intent on being present grandparents to move closer to the action. I have encountered many Boomers from across the country in my nursing role who are recent transplants. And when asked what brought them here, I can anticipate their answer— “Grand children.”

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BABY CHASERS: THE MIGRATION TREND THAT IS NOT GOING AWAY

Here’s why the Zonda Baby Chaser Index marks Charlotte as the No. 1 destination for millennials and their baby boomer parents.

By Ali Wolf (source)

Author Note: The implications for builders, remodelers, realtors, movers, and other business/professionals in the field of serving older adults are impactful. This is useful information to know.