Korean elderly persons who immigrated to America tend to live apartfrom their adult children, contrary to the assumption that theywould adhere to their old custom of intergenerational family livingprevalent in Korea where the tradition of filial piety is stillinfluential. This paper explores factors associated with theelderly immigrants‘ living separate from their adult children andelicits the reasons they give for this residential pattern. Over100 elderly Korean-Americans were interviewed. The results of thisstudy show that public welfare programs, income, and education weremajor factors associated with the elderly‘s independent living fromtheir adult children. Other factors influencing their preferencefor such a living pattern are also identified, including needs forprivacy and freedom. Cultural factors related to family livingpatterns are discussed.