Retirement moves are still reshaping housing markets across the U.S., with Census migration data, Realtor.com listings, and Redfin pricing reports all showing older buyers concentrating in a handful of sunbelt and smaller coastal metros. Looking ahead to 2027, the strongest pressure points appear in places where retiree demand is rising, inventory remains limited, and new construction has not fully caught up.
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota stands out because retiree demand has stayed high even after Florida’s pandemic-era boom cooled. Redfin reported in 2026 that the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metro remained one of the country’s better-known relocation markets for older buyers, while the U.S. Census Bureau has continued to show Florida attracting large numbers of residents age 60 and older.
Inventory has improved from the tightest 2021 and 2022 conditions, but supply is still limited in many retirement-focused neighborhoods near Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice. Realtor.com market data in 2026 showed many Sarasota-area listings still carrying prices above the national median, a sign that even modest demand gains in 2027 could push values higher.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach has become a frequent landing spot for retirees from the Northeast and Midwest because housing costs have often run below bigger Florida coastal markets. Census population estimates and moving-company trend reports through 2025 and 2026 repeatedly placed the Myrtle Beach metro among the faster-growing areas in the country.
That growth matters because homebuilding has expanded, but not always enough in the most sought-after 55-plus and golf-course communities in Horry County. Redfin and local Realtor data in 2026 showed steady buyer activity around North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Murrells Inlet, which could leave prices with more room to rise by 2027 if migration holds.
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott has long appealed to retirees who want a milder four-season climate than Phoenix and easier access to outdoor amenities. The Prescott metro, centered in Yavapai County, has posted steady population gains for years, and county-level demographic reports have shown adults 65 and older make up a large share of local residents…