Floridians know by now about the snow birds: those migrating retirees who descend upon the Sunshine State every winter and head back more or less every Easter weekend (I learned that last part firsthand while driving out of Florida on Easter weekend this year). However, new census data reveals we might need to add some new nicknames for migraters. First of all, it’s no longer just limited to retirees—millennials are also spreading their wings. Second, some boomers are changing up their direction from south to north. Both groups’ destinations might surprise you. 

Miami Beach view in winter time

According to census data published in part by The Real Deal, millennials are moving away from city centers and seeking the suburbs. 'Burb birds, perhaps? According to the report, younger people who previously lived in cities over the past 20 years are moving to the suburbs to raise families in less cramped quarters—after all, their money will go much farther when compared with high urban real estate prices. The census figures use data measured from July 2016 to July 2017, but climbing interest rates and competitive down payments in South Florida show that younger potential homebuyers will likely continue to expand their search to the suburbs.

The numbers tell the same story. While growth in big cities has cooled to 0.7 percent nationally, population in suburban areas all over the country grew by 1 percent. What’s more, the number of Americans moving to suburban counties has tripled over the past five years. A recent example locally is the addition of Fort Lauderdale to ULI’s list of real estate markets to watch. On the whole, that report showed an emphasis on smaller markets and an increased demand for senior housing. 

Aerial image of a residential neighborhood in Doral FL

Perhaps not surprisingly, investors are embracing the suburban trend. Data from TH Real estate, as reported in The Real Deal, showed that returns for spacious, garden-style residences in the suburbs were 8 percent, compared with a 5.1 percent return for urban high-rises. 

Millennials aren’t the only ones making moves. The census data also showed that baby boomers are moving to Florida. That’s not surprising anecdotally or numbers-wise. But what may be surprising is just where the boomers are choosing to go. In the Miami area, many have come to Coral Gables, changing the landscape of the neighborhood as developers build in step with boomer demands: luxury high-rises and convenient commercial centers. In addition to the Miami area, census data shows that retirees are also still flocking to well-established destinations like Naples. 

Florida isn’t the only place where developers are anticipating what retirees want. According to the Wall Street Journal, retirees are reshaping where—and how—Americans live. Some would-be snow birds are bucking the Florida trend altogether and opting for, well, snow. The Journal states that developers in C’ouer d’Alene, Idaho, and Jackson, Wyoming, are producing single-story housing with built-in snow service to attract retirees.