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I think the geographic arbitrage you mention is pretty common. My mother and step-father were, at one point, considering moving to a pretty rural area of Kentucky since they could get a lot of land quite cheap. Additionally there's a size/quality arbitrage that occurs. When you're younger, have kids and a growing family, you probably want a larger house than when you're older and retired. So even if you stay in the same geographic area there's an arbitrage to a relatively less desirable house that may be better suited to your needs.
My impression is many homeowners also perceive their house and its equity as a retirement investment. In many (most?) places around the country your home is likely to be the most valuable asset you own. Even if one doesn't intend to cash out that asset themselves, it is something very valuable to leave to one's progeny. Either in the form of cash from a sale or as a place to live.
Agreed, I live in a suburb in the Northeastern US and it's pretty common for people to sell; move to places like Georgia or the Carolinas; and end up with a much nicer house (fully paid off); and a bunch of extra money to boot.
Even among people who don't end up doing it, just knowing that it's a potential option provides peace of mind and a safety net for taking financial risks such as quitting one's job and starting a business; taking an early retirement plan that's 90% likely to succeed, etc.
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