An aerial view of downtown Raleigh from the warehouse district.Kenny Mccartney | Moment | Getty ImagesA version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Property Play newsletter with Diana Olick. Property Play covers new and evolving opportunities for the real estate investor, from individuals to venture capitalists, private equity funds, family offices, institutional investors and large public companies. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.Historically, Americans moved in order to find better economic opportunities. But the driver has now shifted from the “Go West, young man” mentality, where free and open land presented that opportunity, to much more personal incentives of family and affordability, according to an annual migration report from United Van Lines. It found Americans are not only choosing to live closer to family, but that they want smaller markets rather than urban cores as they seek cheaper housing and better quality of life. This shift will have a significant impact on commercial real estate investors and the choices they make going forward. Oregon was the most popular moving destination for the first time ever in 2025, while Florida and Texas, which had seen huge influxes in the Covid and early post-Covid years, are now seeing more balanced migration. Six of the top 10 inbound states were in the South and South Atlantic: West Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas, Alabama and Delaware.”The data reveals Americans are seeking a different pace of life, and destinations like Oregon, the Carolinas and the south are delivering it,” Eily Cummings, vice president of corporate communications at United Van Lines, said in a release. “While our total number of residential moves is similar to 2024, we’re seeing much greater complexity in why people move and increasingly divergent migration patterns across age groups.”Younger millennials and Gen Z are favoring New Jersey, meanwhile, since it’s more affordable than New York City. But retirees are …
