Intergenerational Friendships:
The Hidden Gems

Do you remember one of the first friends you ever made?

For many of us, our first friendships began in the same way, we connected with someone who was in the same place in life. Most likely someone in elementary school.

As we grow older, the settings change, but the pattern often stays the same. Whether in school, the neighborhood, work, parenting, or retirement, we continue forming friendships with people who feel familiar; those closest to us in age, life stage, and perspective. In fact, 77% of adults say their closest friends are within 15 years of their own age.

But what if the familiarity we seek in our friendships is also what limits what we gain from them?

Nearly everyone (96%) who has a close friend from a different generation says those relationships come with unique benefits. Yet only 22% report having one or more close intergenerational friendships, which are defined by those who are at least 15 years older or younger than they are.

This story explores what makes these friendships different, what they can offer, and where to find them – which is often in places we simply haven’t thought to look.

How They Start

People are living longer, and at the same time, many report feeling more isolated, even in a world that’s more digitally connected than ever. What’s clear is that friendship still plays a critical role in how we experience our lives and expanding who we connect with may matter more than we realize.

Intergenerational friendships are more than just ‘nice to have.’ They may contribute to a greater sense of well-being, help us see aging differently, and can reduce age-based assumptions. All benefits that show up both in AARP’s Friendship Study and in a broader body of intergenerational research.

Those with intergenerational friends commonly describe the most distinct benefits as:

• A bigger support network - someone who shows up differently
• More perspective - a new lens on life decisions
• Personal growth - learning, stretching, and trying new things
• Less ageism - fewer stereotypes; more curiosity
• Resilience across transitions - new jobs, caregiving, moving, retirement
• Better well-being - more connection; less feeling left out

In many ways, intergenerational friendships begin the same way any friendship begins: through shared interests, repeated interaction, and proximity.

In other words, age does not appear to be the key ingredient when forming these close relationships. For example, Darissa (Millennial) and Zion (Gen Z) met through overlapping social circles at a party. They didn’t exchange numbers right away - they kept running into each other, kept talking, and the friendship grew through repeated interactions.

Dawn (Gen X) and Steve (Boomer) met at spin class and have been friends for more than a decade. Their personalities complement each other - high-energy meets steady - and together they built a simple ritual: workout + pizza, which evolved into cards + pizza = time together.

“ ”

We were at a party and we just hit it off and started talking.

–Zion (Gen Z) about Darissa (Millennial)

“ ”

I’m always like, ‘hey, you guys want to come to my house, work out with me,’ and lo and behold, I reeled Steve in.

–Dawn (Gen X) about Steve (Boomer)

Most adults with an intergenerational friend say the relationship is the same or easier to maintain than same-age friendships often because both people put in similar effort.

What Makes Them Special

At first glance, these friendships look like any other: people hang out, talk, laugh, share activities. But what stands out isn’t what they do together, it’s what they get out of it.

It’s often in the day-to-day dynamics of these relationships where those differences become most apparent. Therefore, we asked intergenerational friends to explain how these relationships differ from those of friends their same age.

“ ”

I feel like older people, sometimes they have so much life trauma, they have opinions and biases and he’s just kind of beginning his life, so it’s just sometimes it’s easier to talk to him.

–Darissa (Millennial) about Zion (Gen Z)

“ ”

If they're older, then they're one step ahead. They passed those little, not worth it things to think or waste your time on. So, it makes it easier for me.

–Sidell (Gen X) about Homa (Boomer)

The unique nature of these friendships isn’t just reflected in individual experiences, it shows up clearly in the broader findings as well. Adults with intergenerational friendships overwhelmingly agree these relationships offer benefits that are different than same age friendships.

That said, the specific benefits of these friendships aren’t always obvious, or even consciously recognized. It’s often only when asked to reflect on them that their unique value comes into focus, even for those experiencing them firsthand.

To better understand what sets them apart, we asked our intergenerational friends to describe what they gain from these connections that they don’t necessarily get from friends their own age. Here is what they shared:

Beyond what people experience in the moment, these friendships also have a meaningful impact on overall health and well-being.

When people describe the value of these friendships, three themes quickly arise:

1. Well-being – feeling better, more connected, more grounded
2. Perspective – seeing life through a different lens
3. Support – expanding what “having someone” can mean

“ ”

Steve never sees a negative in anyone; he always sees the positive in everyone.

–Dawn (Gen X) about Steve (Boomer)

“ ”

She brought me back to my younger years….

–Seinna (Gen X) about Laura (Millennial)

And in fact, the impact of these relationships appears to extend beyond the friendship itself, shaping how people feel and experience their lives. According to the 2025 AARP Friendship study, those who have friends of different generations view their own health and attitudes toward aging more positively than those without such friendships. In addition, those with intergenerational friends are less likely to report feeling left out or isolated. To summarize, having a different-age friend correlates with a more positive aging and connection profile.

These findings are not unique to one study. In fact, a systematic review in International Psychogeriatrics (March 2026) examined intergenerational programs that engage younger adults (ages 18-30) with older adults (ages 65+) in a variety of educational, community, and physical activities. The study found that these programs consistently improve mental health, social inclusion, and community cohesion, and reduce ageism for both age groups.

In other words: when people spend meaningful time together with those of different generations, stereotypes soften, understanding grows, and connection becomes more durable.

Where They Happen

Intergenerational friendships often start with exposure, not effort.

People most commonly meet different-generation friends through everyday life, through their shared hobbies, work, mutual friends, neighborhoods, and group activities. Therefore, these types of friendships do not need to be sought out, rather you just need to remain open to the possibility of creating a meaningful relationship with someone of a different generation.

Listen to how it happens in real life:

And if these types of connections are not happening organically, know that they can be created with intention.

Even though some hesitation may remain in widening one’s circle, those who have formed friendships across generations are clear about one thing: the effort is worth it.

Our intergenerational friends have some great words of encouragement.

As noted, beyond the individual impact, these relationships can create a ripple effect that benefits not only the people within them, but the broader communities around them.

When you widen your circle across age, the benefits ripple outward

↙

Personal

More perspective. More support. More joy.

↓

Community

Stronger cohesion and belonging.

↘

Social

Fewer stereotypes. More understanding.

Guide To Finding Your Own Hidden Gems

Hopefully this story highlights just how accessible these connections can be. With a bit of openness and awareness, the opportunity to build meaningful friendships across generations may be closer and more attainable than you think.

Here are a few ways to create more opportunities for these relationships to take shape in everyday life:

• Spend more time in mixed-age spaces: Community classes, volunteer groups, gyms, hobby organizations, faith communities, and neighborhood events naturally bring different generations together.
• Pay attention to the people you already enjoy talking with: Many intergenerational friendships begin with small, repeated interactions that gradually become more meaningful over time.
• Let casual conversations continue: A quick conversation after class, during a walk, or at a community event can naturally evolve into coffee, a shared activity, or a regular check-in.
• Focus less on age and more on common ground: Shared humor, curiosity, interests, values, or life experiences often matter more than age itself.
• Create simple routines: Many lasting friendships are built through consistency: a weekly walk, a recurring class, volunteering together, or a standing coffee after an activity.
• Stay open to learning in both directions: The strongest intergenerational friendships are rarely one-sided. Both people often bring perspective, encouragement, energy, or life experience to the relationship.
• Give connection time to grow: Not every interaction turns into friendship immediately. Often, these relationships form gradually through familiarity, comfort, and continued exposure.