The New American Dream: Renting by Choice

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Publicado em: maio 26th, 2025

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Americans still love real estate. They just don’t want to live in what they own.

I’ve been investing in property in the USA since 2016 and have acquired over 120 rental properties. During this time, I’ve witnessed a fundamental shift in how Americans approach housing.

This isn’t a temporary trend. It’s a complete restructuring of housing preferences that creates unprecedented opportunities for investors who understand what’s happening.

The Strategic Renter Revolution

Americans are renting for longer periods than ever before. Part of this shift stems from affordability challenges, but there’s something deeper happening.

People value flexibility more than their parents or grandparents did. They’re less emotionally invested in their primary residence.

A few years ago, neighborhoods had a strong community feel. Today, neighbors are often pretty much strangers. This disconnection makes people less attached to where they live.

The data confirms what I’m seeing. According to a study from 2024, 74% of renters prioritize their spending on experiences like travel and dining rather than saving for homeownership. Flexibility and experiences now trump equity building for many Americans. Source

Different Demographics, Different Demands

Each generation approaches renting with distinct preferences.

Younger professionals gravitate toward lively urban centers. They prefer higher-end apartments near leisure facilities and nightlife.

Gen Z is reshaping this market segment dramatically. They’re projected to become the largest renter demographic by 2030, representing 21% of the U.S. population. This tech-forward generation prioritizes personal fulfillment over owning their primary residence. Source

Families with children want single-family homes in quieter areas with yard space. They need room to grow but aren’t necessarily looking to own.

Baby boomers present perhaps the most surprising shift. Once champions of homeownership, seniors aged 60+ are now the fastest-growing group of renters in America. By 2035, they’ll make up around 31% of the total renter population. Source

These boomers demand quality. They want newly built or recently renovated properties in quiet neighborhoods.

The Wealth-Building Paradox

Americans still understand that real estate builds wealth. They just approach it differently now.

Wealthier Americans particularly value location flexibility. Many choose to rent where they live while investing in rental properties elsewhere.

This approach can make financial sense. Rather than tying up capital in a primary residence, they purchase investment properties where rental income pays down the mortgage over time.

The strategy allows them to build equity while maintaining freedom to relocate as needed. It’s wealth-building without geographical constraints.

I see this pattern repeatedly across markets. People still want to own real estate. They just prefer owning properties that generate income rather than ones they personally occupy.

Investment Opportunities Across Segments

These demographic shifts create diverse investment opportunities across all market segments.

For investors targeting Gen Z, modern apartment buildings in urban centers offer strong potential. The demand for amenity-rich, well-located rentals continues growing in this demographic.

Families and retirees drive demand for single-family homes in suburbs. These properties need to be modernized and asthectically pleasing.

The remote work revolution initially suggested major changes in housing preferences. While some return-to-office mandates have tempered this effect, the broader economy remains more digitally connected than ever.

Physical location matters less for many businesses now. This connectivity creates opportunities in previously overlooked markets where quality of life factors outweigh proximity to traditional employment centers.

The Future of American Housing

The cultural shift away from viewing homeownership as essential to the American Dream creates sustainable investment opportunities.

Americans increasingly separate where they live from where they build wealth. This separation fundamentally changes how we should think about real estate investment.

For investors, the key insight is understanding that different demographic groups have distinct rental preferences. Meeting these specific needs creates value.

The rental renaissance isn’t just a demographic shift. It’s a complete redefinition of how Americans approach housing and wealth-building.

Those who recognize and adapt to this new reality position themselves to capitalize on one of the most significant cultural transformations in American housing history.

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David Garner General Manager

U.S. Real Estate Turnkey Rental Property Mortgages for Non-Residents and Foreign Nationals

David Garner has over 120+ personal property acquisitions in the U.S. real estate market as a Non-Resident Alien Foreign National, bringing extensive practical experience to his insights on the U.S. real estate market. He specializes in guiding international investors through the complexities of the U.S. real estate market, focusing on building wealth through profitable rental property investments. His deep understanding of the market, combined with his client-centric approach, makes him a trusted advisor for global investors seeking to establish and grow their U.S. real estate portfolio. Learn more about David