Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, known for their roles on "Dancing With the Stars," have relocated their family from Los Angeles to Boca Raton, Florida. The couple, along with their three sons, officially moved on June 29, citing the Florida lifestyle and convenience as key factors in their decision.
Murgatroyd, 40, shared their positive experiences on social media, noting their long-standing affection for Florida. "We’ve always loved Florida, we've always loved the lifestyle here," she said, as reported by Us Weekly. "We fell in love with Boca because it, kind of, has everything [and] the best of everything."
She highlighted the proximity to Miami, the beaches, top-rated schools, and sports opportunities for their children as significant advantages. The move places them in a different environment from Los Angeles, a city that a growing number of celebrities have been leaving. Other notable figures who have relocated include Mark Wahlberg to Nevada, Eva Longoria splitting time between Spain and Mexico, Kelly Clarkson to New York City for her show, Matthew McConaughey to Texas, and Sylvester Stallone also to Florida.
Murgatroyd acknowledged the concerns about Florida's summer heat and humidity but expressed that the family is adapting well. "I know it gets hot but we're, kind of, in it right now. I thought I would have a bigger problem with it, everyone's like, 'You’re gonna come back to Cali,'" she stated. "Cali will always be a home of ours because we lived there for 20 years but, right now, I think this is what our fam needs and we are loving every second. It's the best."
The couple emphasized convenience as a major benefit of their new Florida home. "I would say convenience is key here," Murgatroyd said. "Everything is within a five-minute drive. I feel like there's a CVS or Walgreens on every corner 'cause it's like in blocks with the communities. I love it. I feel like at this stage of my life with three boys, I’m about convenience."
Murgatroyd also praised the residents of Florida for their welcoming nature. "I do feel like everyone here is … very sweet, very nice, very accommodating," she said. "I'm like, 'This never happened over there.' The mothers are all really nice."
She described wanting her eldest son, Shai, to experience a childhood similar to her own, with neighborhood children inviting him to play outdoors. "In our community, that's all I wanted. I wanted Shai to have the childhood that I had and I can see it happening. He has playdates, he has boys knocking on our door, saying, 'Hey come play, let's go ride our bikes.' It's the best thing for me, and it's all I want. I'm so happy."
Their positive experience has even influenced Chmerkovskiy's parents, who have also moved to Boca Raton and are reportedly happy near the beach.
Chmerkovskiy concluded his tenure on "Dancing With the Stars" after season 25 in 2017, while Murgatroyd departed after season 32 in late 2023, following the birth of their third child. Murgatroyd cited physical recovery and prioritizing family as reasons for her departure, stating, "I chose family over work this time."
Chmerkovskiy previously mentioned focusing on family life and other projects outside of television. He expressed enjoyment in spending more time at home with his children. "Peta's doing incredible with her avenues and all that, so I get an opportunity to stay at home till further notice," he said in 2024. "We have other stuff going outside of the TV arena that we're very excited about, [but] I'm focused on the family."