Date Published: September 2026
About 25% of Baby Boomer households say they plan to retire near their children and grandchildren, according to housing research from Zonda. At the same time, moving closer to friends and family has become one of the leading reasons repeat homebuyers give for selling and relocating. This trend is often referred to as the “baby-chaser” migration.
Instead of moving across the country for sunshine, golf, or a resort lifestyle, many retirees are choosing to move closer to their adult children. They want to be part of everyday family life again. For many grandparents, proximity to family now outweighs the appeal of a faraway retirement destination.
The Goal is Usually Simple
“We want to be close enough to help, visit, and be involved—but we still want our own home and our own life.” This is different from moving in with adult children. Many grandparents want independence, privacy, and a social community of their own. Adult children are settling where jobs, housing, and family opportunities take them. Their parents may have lived in the same home for 25 or 30 years. Eventually, the distance between them begins to feel more significant.
Grandchildren also grow up quickly. A once-a-year visit can mean missing entire seasons of childhood. The emotional motivation is powerful. Being present for their grandchildren’s childhood is often the number-one reason grandparents choose to relocate closer to family. The practical motivation is just as important. Adult children may appreciate having their parents nearby for occasional help, while everyone benefits when the households remain separate.
What This Means for Housing Markets
Raleigh, North Carolina, ranked as the nation’s top market for “baby chasing,” according to data released September 9 by NewHomeSource and Zonda through their 2026 Baby Chaser Index. The annual index identifies housing markets experiencing growth among both younger Americans and their parents’ generation. The top 10 baby-chaser markets in 2026 are Raleigh, Nashville, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Boise, Charleston, Austin, San Antonio, and Atlanta.
For residential mortgage leaders, this trend is worth watching. The baby-chaser migration represents more than a lifestyle preference—it can create another source of housing demand as older homeowners sell long-held properties and purchase homes closer to their families. It also highlights an important consideration for lenders and housing professionals: today’s move-up, relocation, and repeat-buyer markets may be influenced as much by family proximity as by employment, affordability, or lifestyle.
As families spread out across the country, more parents are making the decision to follow—not because they want to give up their independence, but because they want to be closer for the moments that matter.
https://www.housingwire.com/articles/parents-follow-kids-south-baby-chaser-boom/
By Bretta Watkins
