Of that number, only about half leave their home state. Those figures have stayed pretty much the same for the past 40 years. But things might change when baby boomers retire, says retirement migration expert Charles Longino, a sociology professor at Wake Forest University. They're typically big travelers and have higher education. That's the profile of a retiree who would consider pulling up stakes.
Warm weather is still a lure.
In Nye County, Nev., the number of residents 65 and older tripled, to 7,000, over the past decade. And Florida itself isn't likely to fall off the retirement map. Many boomers will follow in the footsteps of parents who found bliss in Boca. Surveys show that many of them want active local politics, outdoor fun, and culture as well as a location convenient to friends and family. College towns are high on the list, although a university may be just part of the appeal.