Older Households Are Moving Closer to Their Adult Children: Implications for Urban Planning and Housing Policy

This paper explores the mobility and residential choices of older adults, focusing on how the location of adult children influences these outcomes. Using the geocoded Health and Retirement Study, we undertake a descriptive analysis of older households’ migration patterns and subsequent residential experiences. We find that moving significantly increases the likelihood of living closer to adult children and grandchildren, as well as receiving in-kind assistance from a child, and providing care to a grandchild. Furthermore, households who move closer to adult children are more likely to settle in high-density zip codes and large metropolitan areas—locations that tend to offer more aging-friendly amenities. These findings have important policy implications for local housing supply regulation, and the provision of local services and infrastructure that can support older adults with aging-appropriate homes and communities.