“Tom” had lived in the Northeast most of his life. He’d built a career, raised his family, and paid off his mortgage. But now, the house felt too quiet. On top of that, Tom had grown weary of shoveling snow, paying high taxes and fighting traffic.
Sound Familiar?
Tom’s daughter and her husband had moved to Johnston County, North Carolina for job opportunities, good schools, and more space for their growing family. Tom understood their decision. He just didn’t expect the ache of missing his grandkids to grow stronger with each passing season.
Then Tom read something that changed his thinking: grandparents who live close to their grandchildren and are involved with them actually tend to live longer. The article mentioned that active grandparent involvement can reduce mortality risk by as much as 37%. That made Tom pause.
What is a Baby Chaser?
“Baby Chasers”… are Baby Boomers who are relocating to be near their Millennial children and, more importantly, their grandchildren.
According to Zonda’s 2025 Baby Chaser Index, authored by Chief Economist Ali Wolf, one of the biggest trends in today’s real estate market as illustrated by “Tom’s story”. In fact, in 2024, Raleigh ranked 3rd in the US for grandparents who are moving to be closer to their grandchildren.
So Tom did what many in his generation are doing—he became a Baby Chaser so he could be near his Millennial children and grandkids. For Tom, the pull wasn’t just a change in the weather or to play more golf. It was bedtime stories, Saturday morning soccer games and the bonus of a longer life.
Why the Triangle?
These retirees are no longer flocking to traditional retirement hotspots—they’re chasing family, and often landing in places like the Triangle including Johnston County. In addition to the pull of family, here are many of the reasons why these Baby Chasers are choosing the Triangle:
- World-class local healthcare
- Outstanding local university network including the University of North Caroline, North Carolina State University and Duke University
- Close proximity to both the mountains and the coast
- All 4 seasons with spectacular fall and spring, mild winters and hot – humid but bearable summers
- Wide variety of things to do, events, local parks and greenways, abundant shopping opportunities, and great food
- A strong sense of community, especially in places like Clayton, Coats, Pine Level, Smithfield, Wendell, and Zebulon
Welcome Home Halfbacks
Baby Chasers aren’t the only demographic boosting the Triangle’s popularity. The region is also drawing “Halfbacks”—northerners who first moved to Florida but are now relocating halfway back up the East Coast in search of a milder climate, lower cost of living, and proximity to family. The Triangle offers that rare mix of affordability, opportunity, and quality of life that resonates across generations.
Where They’re Landing: RiverWILD Communities
Our RiverWiLD Real Estate team is seeing strong interest in new homes across the board including:
- Alton Fields – Rural life meets affordable modern living on the outskirts of Coats (Coming Soon!)
- Ashcroft – Stylish, low-maintenance living in walkable downtown Clayton
- O’Neil Overlook – Tucked into a peaceful part of Clayton, close to greenways and parks
- Maggie Way & Eller Farms – Located near Wendell Falls, offering quick access to shopping and dining
- Riverside & Harvest Meadows – Near Zebulon, with open spaces and flexible floor plans
- Longleaf Village – Located in the heart of charming and yet assessable Pine Level (Coming Soon!)
With a wide array of floor plans, these communities serve everyone from young professionals buying their first home to retirees looking for one-level living with space for family visits.
5-Star Reviews
My story has a great ending thanks to RiverWILD agent, Megan Bland. My daughter’s family decided to move to North Carolina to further their careers. They had FIVE WEEKS To find right area and a home basically sight unseen. They were successful so you think they would have recommended their agent to me. But they felt the agent was to say the least, unhelpful. After looking on my own for two months my daughter found Megan. She went way beyond my expectation. Megan attention to details was impressive. I recommend her highly! Thanks Megan!
– Don Bender
What This Means for Buyers and Sellers
Whether you’re a Baby Chaser moving closer to your grandkids, a Halfback, or a Millennial building your life in a thriving region, now is a smart time to act, especially if you are eyeing new homes coupled with these “out of this world” builder promos!
While growing, inventory remains competitive, and new construction options like RiverWILD’s are exceptional finds in today’s Triangle real estate market.
Want help matching a lifestyle to a home? The RiverWILD team knows where the opportunity is—and how to make you feel like home so your story has a happy ending like Tom’s!