Should I Move Closer to My Grandkids? What to Know Before Moving to Mt. Juliet or the Nashville Suburbs
Yes, for many people it is the right move, as long as the plan still works if your family's plans change. You are far from alone. AARP's 2026 grandparents report found that 28% of grandparents have made a major life change to live closer to family, and most moved to the same community or region. A Zonda survey found about a quarter of baby boomers say they are likely to retire near their grandchildren.
Moving near family can be wonderful. It also deserves the same clear thinking as any other big financial decision.
What five questions should you answer before moving near your grandkids?
Would I still love living here if they moved? Adult children sometimes relocate for work, and grandkids' schedules fill up fast as they grow. Choose a place you would be happy in on its own: friends, doctors, activities, and a house that fits your life.
How far is close enough? Ten minutes and forty minutes feel very different on a school-night schedule. Drive the route at school pickup time before you decide. Mt. Juliet sits about 17 miles east of downtown Nashville, and the drive can change a lot by time of day.
Do I need a guest room, or a bigger house? Many grandparents buy for the holidays and then pay for the extra space every other day of the year. Think about how often the house will really be full.
What will I net from my current home? Your equity decides your options. A good net sheet comes first, before any house tour. I walk through how it works in What Does It Really Cost to Sell a House in Mt. Juliet.
What will my own life look like here? Your friends, your health care, your routines, and your own interests matter too. Being close to family is a big piece of a good life, but it should not be the only piece.
Where do grandparents tend to land around Nashville?
Mt. Juliet and Wilson County. Wilson County's population of ages 25 to 44 grew faster than any other county in Tennessee from 2020 to 2025, so there are many young families here. Schools are part of the Wilson County district.
A 55+ community like Del Webb Lake Providence or Del Webb Barton Village. You get lower maintenance and amenities, and you should read the rules about visits and long stays from grandchildren before you commit. I compare these in Del Webb vs. a Regular Wilson County Neighborhood.
A regular neighborhood within 10 to 20 minutes of the grandkids. More space and no age rules, with a little more upkeep.
Can you try it out before you commit?
If you can, spend a month here before you sell. Stay near the family, drive the routes, try the grocery store and the doctor's office, and see how it feels on a rainy Tuesday, not just on a holiday weekend.
My honest take
I will help you build a plan that works even if the family moves, because that is the plan you will still be glad you made in ten years. If the numbers say wait, I will tell you.
Want to talk through your options?
Call or text me at 615-594-4063.
Ready to start looking? Search homes in Mt. Juliet and the Nashville suburbs and I will send you listings that fit.
Dondi Tyler, Realtor and Broker, Benchmark Realty, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity.
