When deciding where to live, some people focus on good schools. Others seek the vibrancy of city life or the peace of the countryside.
Increasingly, folks are also choosing a new home based on their politics.
Recently, Realtor.com surveyed 2,200 adults ages 18 and older and asked questions about how their political beliefs influence where they decide to live. Across the board, one particular generation was most likely to cite politics as a major factor in where they call home.
Here is how the various generations say politics influences where they live.
The influence of national politics
Respondents who said national politics are “extremely influential” or “very influential” on their decision of where to live:
- Millennials: 33%
- Generation Z: 25%
- Generation X: 21%
- Baby boomers: 16%
Fully one-third of millennials crave an atmosphere where their fellow citizens share their views about what is best for the nation’s well-being. That makes them twice as likely as boomers to feel that way.
The influence of local politics
Respondents who said local politics are “extremely influential” or “very influential” on their decision of where to live:
- Millennials: 31%
- Generation Z: 27%
- Generation X: 21%
- Baby boomers: 14%
In many ways, local politics have a greater influence on our lives than the edicts that come out of Washington, D.C. So, it arguably makes sense that millennials and Gen Z, the youngest generations polled, pay close attention to local politics when deciding where to live. But again, members of the oldest generation polled, baby boomers, were least likely to be influenced in this way.
The importance of living near people with similar views
Respondents who said it’s “extremely important” or “very important” to live in a place where most people share their political views:
- Millennials: 32%
- Generation X: 23%
- Generation Z: 22%
- Baby boomers: 16%
At one time, many people chose to keep their political views to themselves, but those days are long gone. And millennials lead the way among those who want to live where many people share their political beliefs.
The importance of not living near people with different views
Respondents who have considered moving because their political views don’t align with a majority of people where they live::
- Millennials: 28%
- Generation Z: 20%
- Generation X: 14%
- Baby boomers: 10%
Political beliefs evoke strong emotions — just take a look at “Voters’ Emotions About the Election Are Split. Can You Guess Which Political Party Is More Negative?.” For more than one-quarter of millennials, the thought of living around others who have differing political beliefs is a deal-breaker.
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