Recently, one-third of people across the U.S. told us they would relocate for a lifestyle change. Whether to be closer to outdoor and recreational activities or to join a close-knit community, the desire to belong remained strong in 2022 as the recalibration of work and personal priorities encouraged people to move away from city centers.
To see where people were buying homes in 2022, we reviewed the top 20 hottest neighborhoods across Opendoor markets. While the top 10 included many repeat favorites, it was the next 10 neighborhoods that were most intriguing. One example: Winter Garden, FL jumped up 5 spots from 2021.
Rising to the top
These rising neighborhoods have a common thread: a small-town feel while close to a bustling downtown for entertainment, dining, and shopping.
We are seeing homeowners vie for that sense of belonging in cities and towns accessible to major metros via short commutes – like Aubrey, TX or Cumming, GA – but aren’t too removed and have their own downtown or community, like Gallatin, TN; Suwanee, GA; or Parker, CO — all new to our list.
If you are looking to buy in a city like Aubrey, TX in 2023, Opendoor Exclusives is a new marketplace where you can directly buy and sell a home, without any of the hassle of the traditional real estate model.
Top of the list
The remaining 10 most popular neighborhoods on our list are recurring homebuyer favorites, like Clarksville, TN and New Braunfels, TX – places homeowners continue to choose.
Our 2023 Housing Trends to Watch report showed that nearly half (49%) of respondents across the U.S. would be motivated to move somewhere new for a more affordable cost of living. Clarksville continues to top our list for both its housing affordability and quality of life. Clarksville has a thriving, close-knit local community while still being close to the action in Nashville.
Half of first-time home buyers say “family” is the top reason they decided to purchase a home in 2022. Katy, TX and Yukon, OK continued their reign on our hottest ZIPs list. They draw homeowners for their proximity to major employers while still being a good fit for families.
Another important consideration is space. Nearly half of first-time buyers (45%) prioritize this in their home search according to our First-Time Home Buyers report. It’s no surprise that Summerville, SC, and Murfressboro, TN made our list this year as both cities offer spacious suburban living.
Whether you’re looking for more space, hiking trails, parks, new restaurants, or a community you can belong to, Opendoor can help you get your next journey started. Visit Opendoor.com to learn more.
Chelsea Goyer is the national head of brokerage at Opendoor
Methodology: Top ZIP codes are identified by analyzing data from the local Multiple Listing Services (MLS) where Opendoor Brokerage operates. ZIPs were ranked by total homes which went into contract within 90 days of listing in 2022.
