Actor Dennis Quaid has detailed his reasons for relocating from Los Angeles to Nashville, Tennessee, six years ago, citing frustrations with the former city's high taxes, deteriorating services, and a perceived decline in community within the entertainment industry. Quaid, who moved to Tennessee with his wife, Laura Savoie, in 2020, told People magazine that Nashville offers a sense of community and space that he finds conducive to family life.
"Basically I play golf," Quaid said of his current routine. "I love to be around the house here. You get a lot of land and space, but you’re still in an urban environment. I’ve made some really good friends here to spend time with. It’s important and a great place to raise a family."
He contrasted his current environment with the perceived changes in Hollywood. Quaid explained that the traditional audition process, which involved in-person meetings and fostered a sense of camaraderie, has largely been replaced by self-taped submissions. This shift, he believes, has diminished the feeling of community among actors.
If he were starting his acting career today, Quaid stated he would not choose Los Angeles but rather Atlanta, Georgia, due to the accessibility of production studios in the South. "If I was an actor starting out, I wouldn’t go to LA I would go to Atlanta," he said.
Despite his move, Quaid has not entirely ruled out a return to California. "I might be open to going back to LA later on. I moved before the fires and everything, but I just think things have got to get a little better there," he commented. "And it’s so nice here in Tennessee. It’s soft, and it’s a real feeling of community."
Quaid also noted that Nashville's appeal extends beyond its renowned music scene, which he acknowledged accounts for a significant portion of music production in the United States across various genres. He pointed to the city's growing diversity of industries and its ability to maintain its character despite an influx of residents from places like New York and Chicago, in addition to California.
