For decades, where you worked largely determined where you lived. Today, remote and hybrid work are giving many professionals the flexibility to rethink that equation. Most employees with remote-capable jobs now work either fully remotely or in a hybrid arrangement, creating new opportunities to live and work from different locations throughout the year.
As a result, an increasing number of Americans are exploring the flexibility to spend time in multiple locations. Some are spending winters in warmer climates, others are purchasing homes in potential retirement destinations, and many are prioritizing proximity to family while maintaining their careers. Research shows that remote workers are 40% to 50% more likely to relocate than comparable office-based workers.
Who Is Embracing Multi-Location Living?
While the trend spans generations, different age groups are embracing multi-location living for different reasons.
Millennials (Ages 30-45)
Many Millennials are among the first generation to build careers in a remote-first world. For them, location flexibility often means spending extended periods in different cities, relocating for lifestyle reasons, or pursuing a more mobile "work from anywhere" lifestyle. The growth of digital nomadism and remote work has made it easier for younger professionals to prioritize experiences and flexibility over living in a single location year-round.
Imagine a marketing professional from Boston who spends three months working from Colorado each year to be closer to the mountains she loves. Her office remains the same, but her lifestyle looks very different than it did just a few years ago.
Gen X (Ages 46-61)
Gen X may be particularly well positioned to explore multi-location living. Many are in their peak earning years, have accumulated home equity and savings, and enjoy greater career flexibility than earlier in their careers.
At the same time, they are often balancing competing priorities, including retirement planning, aging parents, adult children, and lifestyle goals. As a result, many are using remote work flexibility to test future retirement destinations, purchase second homes, or spend part of the year in locations that better fit their desired lifestyle.
Consider a couple in their early 50s who spend several weeks each winter working from South Carolina while maintaining their primary home in Massachusetts. They're not ready to retire, but they're learning what everyday life, healthcare access, and housing costs might look like if they eventually make a permanent move.
Younger Boomers (Ages 62-70s)
For many younger Boomers, multi-location living represents a new approach to retirement. Rather than making a permanent move immediately after leaving the workforce, some are choosing to split their time between two homes, spend winters in warmer climates, or maintain a residence near children and grandchildren.
Others continue to work as consultants, business owners, or part-time professionals, allowing them to combine income generation with greater geographic flexibility.
For example, a recently retired couple might spend summers near their grandchildren in New England and winters in Florida. Rather than choosing one permanent location, they're designing a lifestyle that allows them to maintain family connections while enjoying the benefits of both communities.
Researchers have documented increased migration toward suburbs, smaller cities, and lower-density communities as workers gain greater flexibility over where they live.
Planning Beyond One Home
While the lifestyle can be appealing, it also comes with financial considerations. Beyond lifestyle decisions, spending significant time in multiple states may create additional complexities related to:
- State tax obligations
- Property and insurance costs
- Estate planning considerations
- Retirement income and spending projections
One potential benefit of multi-location living is the opportunity to better understand future retirement expenses before making a permanent move. Spending extended periods in a potential retirement destination can provide insight into housing costs, taxes, healthcare access, and everyday living expenses.
The Bottom Line
For many Americans, remote and hybrid work have expanded the options for where and how they live. Whether that means spending part of the year in a warmer climate, exploring a future retirement destination, or living closer to family, these lifestyle decisions often come with important financial considerations.
Before making a move, it may be worthwhile to review potential tax implications, housing costs, estate planning needs, and retirement projections. Understanding these factors can help ensure that lifestyle changes align with long-term financial goals.
The examples above are hypothetical and are provided for illustrative purposes only. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice. Individuals should consult with qualified professionals regarding their specific circumstances before making financial decisions.