12 Grandparents Who Moved Cross-Country in Retirement to Be Near Grandkids, and the Grandson Who Invites Himself Over

By my grandfather’s count, seven of his friends have retired to Florida since 1998, one moving truck at a time. The only move he ever approved of was Walt’s, who sold a house of 41 years to live 9 minutes from his granddaughter’s school. These 12 grandparents moved across the country in retirement to be near their grandkids, and they share what it cost and what it gave back.

A Couple Who Left Their Hometown of 40 Years and Don’t Miss It “at All”

None of our children were returning to their hometown, where my wife and I had lived for 40 years. We decided to move close to a daughter and her family so we could be near the grandchildren ... but we did not want our whole life to be dependent on her and her family.

We bought a condo in a highly walkable area about 25 minutes away with mass transit easily available into Chicago in order to create our own new chapter. We see the daughter and her family about once a week, sometimes more, sometimes less; it’s been enriching for everyone.

While excited about moving, we wondered how we would feel moving away from where we knew people, had raised our children and enjoyed our careers. Turns out, we do not miss our previous life and environs ... at all.

InvisibleLangley2825 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1msq8ga/comment/n9xi31p/

A Grandparent Who Hates Arizona and Lived There 7 Years for a Granddaughter

We had our retirement all planned out: live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest surrounded by the lush green of nature.

Then our son and his wife, in Arizona, said they were pregnant, and our beautiful granddaughter was born.

We faced a clear choice: live in the PNW and see our son and granddaughter 2, maybe 3 times a year; or move to Arizona and see our baby granddaughter almost daily.

BTW, words cannot express how much I hate Arizona. Everything is dry or barely clinging to “life”. If you were a bad, bad plant, you’d be reincarnated in Arizona as eternal punishment.

But ... seeing our granddaughter almost every day made it an easy call.

We lived in Arizona for 7 years, and despite the location, it was fabulous watching our granddaughter grow up. We’d have missed 98% of that if we’d stayed in the PNW. Being in Arizona near our granddaughter was 1,000% the right decision.

Invisiblednhs47 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1va3i47/comment/p0z031a/

A Couple Whose Grandsons Sleep Over Almost Every Weekend

We moved across the country to live near our grandsons. Virtually every weekend they sleep over at our house. It’s been a joy.

If I had known how much fun grandkids could be, we would have had them first.

InvisibleEvanD2000 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/AskOldPeople/comments/1njtiuw/comment/netz4zk/

From the author:

By my grandfather’s count, the friends who moved to Florida sent him two kinds of postcards: the beach in the first year, the grandkids’ school photos after that. Read these first three stories back to back and the same thing shows up. Nobody describes the new town first. They describe the weekend, and who sleeps over.

Light12

Grandparents Who Followed Their Family 20 Hours by Car and Keep a Drawer of the Kids’ Clothes

Our adult child and her family moved to another state — 20 hours away by car. We eventually followed them. Yes, we sold our house, packed up our lives and moved.

The grandkids are in elementary school. They come over to our place a lot — 2 or 3 afternoons a week and usually part of the weekend too. We volunteer through PTA. The older one now invites himself over and asks if he can bring a friend. The answer is always yes.

We keep a drawer full of their clothes at our house. That allows spontaneous sleepovers to be really easy.

They get out of school early on every Wednesday. We pick them up and keep them until 5 or 6 pm.

While we loved every minute of being parents, being grandparents is easier. This is round two of being involved in the raising of children, but in an easier and gentler way, as we get to watch their parents do all the hard stuff. It is absolutely a joy and a privilege to have them in our lives.

InvisibleSuspicious-Cat8623 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/AskOldPeople/comments/1nku2t2/comment/nf255j8/

Retirees Who Moved to Texas, Bought Too Fast and Now Say: Rent First

We did this. We moved to be near our son after we retired.

The biggest advice I have is to RENT first before you sell where you are and move. Preferably a short term rental.

We had never lived in Texas before and bought a house as soon as we got there. We ended up selling, renting, buying, selling and renting again and just in 6 years. Wasted $$ trying to find an area we liked.

InvisibleFabulousBullfrog9610 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1k5bui8/comment/mp8ruyv/

A Couple Who Bought a Boat and a Jet Ski for Visits That Never Came, Then Moved to the Kids

We moved out of state thinking our grown children and spouses would love to visit us by the beach and on the golf course. We bought a boat and a jet ski. But work made it too difficult for them to come to us, so we would travel to them.

Then we just sold and moved to them once they had babies. Oh well.

InvisiblePesce22 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1msq8ga/comment/n9rhxj6/

A Couple Who Moved to Alaska at 60 to Be Next to Their Grandkids

We moved all the way to Alaska to be next to our grandkids. My wife and I were 60 when we moved here 5 years ago. It was very expensive and Alaska has a HCOL. I still work but I see them every day. My wife babysits 4 days a week.

Best decision we ever made. Being in their lives and helping raise them is an absolute joy. Would not have it any other way even if it delays retirement.

Invisibleunkunked / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1k5bui8/comment/moz5vqy/

From the author:
A practical note from someone who has watched a lot of moving trucks: the hardest number in these stories isn’t the miles. It’s the house. Walt, my grandfather’s friend, kept the key to his old front door on his ring for a year after he sold it. He said he wasn’t ready to stop carrying it. Then one morning it was gone, and he never mentioned it.

Light12

A Grandma Who Isn’t the Cookie-Baking Kind and Found Out She Didn’t Need to Be

I sold my house and moved to a new state just before my grandchild was born. It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life. My adult son also moved in and we all live together, so I see my grandchild all the time.

I was worried at first because I’m not a grandma who bakes cookies. I thought those were the super grandmas and I knew that wasn’t me.

I’ve worked from age 15 and built 2 businesses and a technical career. I wondered what I had to offer and if my grandchild would love me.

Well, I found out that my business experience gave me plenty to offer. I learned to really listen and give the other person in the room my complete attention. I learned to delegate, and my toddler grandchild loves being asked to complete tasks. I learned to correct and redirect without making people feel small, so I teach without shaming.

Was this the retirement I envisioned, full of travel and learning to paint and tango (lol)? Nope, but this is the retirement that I love and value.

InvisibleIMissVegas2 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1te0ghc/comment/omixve7/

A 6-Year-Old Whose “Best Friend” Grandpa Drove Across the Country to Tell Him He Was Moving In

https://www.youtube.com/embed/b3nKfyIXITE?start=0&controls=1&rel=0&showinfo=0728360

Six-year-old Carson in Dallas calls his grandpa James his best friend. James lived in North Carolina, and one January he drove all the way to Dallas to see Carson and tell him he was moving there for good.

“His ‘best friend’ grandpa moved cross country to live near him ❤️”

InvisibleHappily / YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3nKfyIXITE

A Daughter Whose Parents Sold Their House of 32 Years When She Got Pregnant

When I got pregnant I asked my parents to move out — they had no other grandchildren — so they sold their house of 32 years, packed up and moved here. My sister had moved here by then also.

Within 16 months they had 3 grandchildren! What a blessing it was to have them within 12″ drive from both me and my sister.

Invisibleobgynmom / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1tim07y/comment/on02zle/

From the author:
My grandfather, who is 88 and still in the town he never left, has one question for anyone who moves: who knows your order at the diner? He asked Walt that on the phone a month after the move. Walt said nobody did yet, but his granddaughter had already picked a booth. My grandfather counted that as a yes.

Light12

A Grandma Who Moved 1,000 Miles at 60 and Bought a House One Mile From Her Daughter

I moved over 1,000 miles to be near my adult daughter and grandchild when I turned 60. Left three adult kids on the east coast who are not planning to have children. Paid cash for a reverse 1.5 style house one mile from my daughter.

All 4 of my out-of-town kids are visiting me next month. Loving retirement and staying very busy with friends, family, and hobbies.

InvisibleWestward-bound / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1k5bui8/comment/mosdv02/

Grandparents Who Moved the Year She Was Born, and Eight Years Later Can’t Wait for Grandchild No. 3

We moved when our granddaughter was born because we wanted to be an active part of her life.

She is 8 now, her brother is 6, and another one is on the way. We are beside ourselves from happiness.

We get together with both of our kids and their partners every two months or so, but the grandkids come over for a sleepover every weekend.

Now the number three is coming, and we are so excited to have the little hands touch our faces again. I can’t describe it, it’s priceless.

InvisibleLower_Classroom835 / Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/retirement/comments/1kl27vw/comment/ms8vxpe/

The last family moved the year their granddaughter was born; eight years and one more grandchild later, the sleepovers are every weekend. Distance in these stories isn’t measured in miles. It’s measured in how many times a week you see the kids.

Would you move across the country to be near your grandkids, or has someone in your family already done it? Tell us in the comments.

Light12