The basics of looking for a place to live have been changed by the internet. Whereas once looking in the newspaper and calling a realtor were the places to start in finding out where to look and what to look for, today the internet offers another portal for home buyers or renters.

In this portion of the report, we examine use of the internet among the 17% of respondents who said they found a new place to live in the previous year. One-third (32%) bought a house, condominium, or co-op, while 61% rented.  Half (53%) of those who found a new place to live moved to a new city.

Respondents who were directed to questions on searching for a place to live are the youngest and most ethnically diverse of any of the three topic-specific modules. The median age is 32, 18% are English-speaking Hispanics, and 16% are African Americans. Internet usage levels are above average, with 80% being internet users and 61% having broadband at home.