When you downsize in retirement, you certainly can. Plenty of people plan to move to florida or other retirement towns when they're older. These places tend to

When you downsize in retirement, you certainly can. Plenty of people plan to move to florida or other retirement towns when they're older. These places tend to be cheaper to buy houses in; off the beaten path, not near jobs, not good schools, etc - Things retirees don't care about, but youngsters do, that are major effects on housing prices. They can finance this by investing in that they live in in their youth, then selling. If you buy a house at $400,000, and it appreciates 10% over the next 10 years, it is now worth $440,000. You sell it, and move to a house that would have cost you $100,000... but that has appreciated at the same rate, now costing $110,000. You've 'made' $30k, despite appreciation.