Many Buyers Also Considering an Area’s Political Profile
I remember after the 2016 election, which I thought was contentious then, everyone who got in my car immediately asked who I voted for. My children's pediatritian told my of a couple of families who had major splits due to who some voted for and others didn't. This time around, things are even more heated. I'm not at all surprised people are choosing homes based on political profiles.
Survey: Americans, especially young adults 18-34 years old, want neighbors who politically agree with them – a variable that can become part of their decision-making.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – A new survey from realtor.com and YouGov found that a majority of Americans want to live in a neighborhood here that shares their views, especially politically. And that desire is even stronger for younger Americans age 18-34 years old.
According to the data, two out of three (61%) of younger respondents feel strongly or somewhat strongly about living in a community with similar beliefs, and 48% would consider moving to make this happen.
“Younger Americans tend to be more connected to political causes they believe in and typically have more flexibility when it comes to moving around and trying out different places to live,” says George Ratiu, senior economist at realtor.com. “Being surrounded by people with similar political beliefs is important to this group and will likely play a part in where they eventually decide to settle down.”
Ratiu says older adults may not feel quite the same way because “they live in a place that they feel best meets their needs and feel connected to their community.”
While an earlier study found an uptick in moves to key swing states, realtor.com says the latest study suggests that those moves would likely increase after the election. Specifically:
- 55% of respondents think it’s important or extremely important to live in a community that shares your political beliefs.
- 20% of respondents have considered moving to a place where their politics align with their community and 21% of these people are waiting for the outcome of the election.
- 12% of respondents said they would definitely move if their candidate doesn’t win the election; 23% said they would consider it.
- With younger Americans, 61% says similar views are extremely or somewhat important.
- With older Americans (those 55 and older), 49% say similar views are extremely or somewhat important.
- Younger respondents were also less likely to feel that their current views align with the majority where they live – 38% of younger Americans versus 44% of older Americans.
- Of those whose views don’t align with the majority, 24% of younger Americans have considered moving and an additional 24% are waiting to see who wins the election to decide. By contrast, 15% of older Americans whose views don’t align have considered moving and 19% are waiting on election results.
- 18% of younger Americans said they would definitely move if their candidate doesn’t win the election versus just 6% of older respondents.
Both parties affected – but Democrats more likely to move
- Self-identified Democrats feel more strongly about aligning with the majority (63%) than Republicans (55%).
- Democrats (14%) are more likely to have considered moving somewhere where their political views better align, and 12% are waiting to see who wins the election.
- Less than one in 10 Republicans (8%) have considered moving somewhere where their political views better align and 7% are waiting to see.
- Democrats (45%) were more likely to consider moving if their candidate doesn’t win the election than Republicans (28%).
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,000 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken Sept. 18-24, 2020. The figures have been weighted and represent of all U.S. adults (aged 18+).
© 2020 Florida Realtors®
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