When choosing a new place to call home, today’s 55-70 age group is looking at far more than just square footage or lot size. One of the biggest influences on their decisions? Family. According to the New Home Trends Institute, 45% of 55+ buyers live within 30 minutes of their grandchildren. It’s easy to see the appeal for game nights, birthday celebrations, or spontaneous backyard barbecues. Being close to family makes life more vibrant. For many, moving into a 55 and older community marks the start of an exciting chapter, where active adult living combines family connection, personal freedom, and plenty of opportunities for fun.
The idea of "home" is no longer just about the four walls you live in, it’s about the connections that fill those walls with meaning. For today’s active adults, being close to family, and especially grandchildren, is one of the most powerful motivators when choosing where to live.
Think about it: living nearby means you can swing by for soccer games, help out with school pickups, or join last-minute pizza nights. It’s the perfect balance; close enough to be part of daily life, but still with the space to maintain your own active, adventure-filled lifestyle.
Grandparenting is becoming less about occasional visits and more about active involvement. Rising childcare costs and shifting cultural dynamics mean families are leaning on each other more than ever. For many, moving into a master-planned community near loved ones is an important family strategy.
Our New Home Trends Institute points out an important shift: active parenting is evolving into active grandparenting. Just because the kids are grown doesn’t mean the family chapter has closed. Instead, it’s opening into a new season, one where time, energy, and resources can go into enriching the lives of grandkids while still living life to the fullest.
Communities like Traditions of America Chesterfield embody this trend beautifully. It’s multigenerational living without being under the same roof. Proximity with independence. You get all the perks of family closeness while still keeping your own space for pickleball matches, wine tastings, and dinner parties.
Let’s be honest, life in your 50s, 60s, and 70s can feel like the ultimate encore. It’s a stage when you’re free to try new things, pursue passions, and, yes, party a little harder than you might have in your 30s and 40s. Active adult living communities are built with this energy in mind.
Imagine Friday-night concerts on the lawn, group trips to wineries, neighborhood food truck festivals, or dance nights at the clubhouse. Add in bringing your grandkids to community pools or outdoor movie nights and it becomes a lifestyle packed with laughter, adventure, and shared memories.
Living near family doesn’t just benefit grandparents, it’s a win for the entire family network. Parents get a reliable support system, grandkids gain extra role models, and active adults get the joy of being woven into their loved ones’ daily lives without giving up their independence.
It’s also practical. Rising childcare costs mean grandparents who live nearby can easily step in to help. And let’s not forget the emotional benefit: grandkids grow up with strong relationships, and grandparents get to be more than occasional visitors, they become central figures in their grandchildren’s stories.
While affordability has become a hot topic, active adult living is proving that lifestyle doesn’t have to be compromised. Smaller lots, smarter layouts, and customizable options mean more people can access the lifestyle without breaking the bank.
What’s exciting is that affordability doesn’t translate to “less.” These homes are stylish, modern, and designed with entertaining and ease in mind. Open-concept kitchens, single-level layouts, and low-maintenance features make them perfect for hosting everything from dinner parties with friends to Sunday pancake breakfasts with the grandkids.
Even as affordability drives innovation, luxury living remains highly desirable. Many active adults are drawn to homes that feel like resorts, with upgraded finishes, expansive outdoor spaces, and access to high-end amenities. For those who want to host holiday dinners in a stunning kitchen or sip cocktails on a beautifully landscaped patio, these luxury options ensure that style and comfort are always part of the package.
At its core, active adult living is about building a lifestyle. It’s about creating a home that keeps you connected to the people you love while freeing you to explore the activities and adventures that bring joy. The decision to live close to family isn’t just practical, it’s profoundly meaningful.
When nearly half of active adults are choosing to stay within 30 minutes of their grandchildren, it shows that family connection is just as important as community amenities. The magic happens when you can have both: a vibrant, social lifestyle and the ability to pop over for a last-minute school play or backyard barbecue.
Family ties are shaping active adult living decisions in big ways and for good reason. Staying close to the grandkids while enjoying an exciting, low-maintenance lifestyle is the best of both worlds. With builders responding to affordability needs, luxury options still thriving, and master-planned communities bringing generations together, it’s never been easier to find a home that blends fun, freedom, and family.
For today’s over 55 crowd, it’s not about slowing down, it’s about living bigger, loving harder, and laughing louder. Active adult living makes that possible, with family ties adding the heart to an already vibrant lifestyle.
