When is the right time to say “I do,” buy your dream home, or finally retire? While milestones like marriage, parenthood, and homeownership once followed a predictable timeline, today’s young adults are rewriting the script. A new Pew Research study of 3,600 American adults reveals when we believe these major life moments should ideally happen—though reality often has other plans.
Young Love or Later-in-Life Romance?
According to the study, the “best” age for marriage, on average, is 26.5. That might sound reasonable on paper, but in Southlake and the surrounding areas, many residents marry later, and second marriages are common, 26 feels practically adolescent. Many couples in our community prioritize education, career success, and financial stability before walking down the aisle. The idea of rushing into marriage straight out of college? That’s a concept better suited to another era.
Baby on Board—But When?
The survey suggests that 27.3 is the ideal age to have a first child, closely matching the national average for first-time mothers at 27.4. But, just as with the “perfect” marriage age and lifestyles it’s far more common to see new parents in their 30s or even 40s. With access to top-tier healthcare and fertility options, many local families are embracing parenthood on their own terms—when the timing, and the nursery, are just right.
A House at 28? Not in This Market!
If you could buy your first home at 28, congratulations—you might be living in the 1990s. While the study says Americans believe 28.8 is the perfect age to become a homeowner, Southlake’s real estate market tells a different story. With Southlake median home prices well in excess of $1.2 million, most buyers in our area are well beyond their 20s. Nationwide, people are now buying their first homes closer to 38, reflecting the reality of rising home costs and changing financial priorities.
Retirement: The Dream vs. The Reality
The study suggests 61.8 as the best age to retire, but for many area residents, “retirement” is just a change of pace rather than a full stop. While younger generations fantasize about clocking out for good at 60, many in our community find fulfillment in second careers, philanthropic work, or passion projects well into their later years. After all, when you’ve built a life you love, why rush to leave it behind?
So, When Is the Right Time?
Throughout the study, as many as ¼ to ½ of those surveyed said “there is no best age,” which goes to show that life’s biggest milestones don’t come with a one-size-fits-all timeline. Here in north Texas, success is often measured not by when you check the boxes but by how well you design a life that fits your values, ambitions, and—of course—the perfect dream home.
How do you compare?
Pew Research Center
For more information visit Pew Research Center "Best age to get married, have a child, buy a home and retire? Here’s what Americans say"