Professional dancers Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, known for their work on "Dancing with the Stars," have relocated their family from Los Angeles to Boca Raton, Florida, citing quality of life issues including crime and cost of living.
Murgatroyd, who lived in Los Angeles for 16 years, described the decision to move with their three children as emotional, stating in an Instagram post, "Sometimes you have to leave what’s comfortable to find what’s meant for you."
The couple has expressed satisfaction with their new life in Florida, with Murgatroyd adding, "The happiness, the slower pace, the sunshine, watching our boys love every second of it… it’s everything we hoped for and more."
During their move from Los Angeles, the couple experienced instances that influenced their decision. Murgatroyd recounted that one of her son's bicycles was stolen while they were packing, and she also observed a homeless individual searching through their trash. These events are indicative of broader issues facing California, including a significant homeless population.
Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy are part of a larger trend of residents leaving California. Many former residents have attributed their departure to policies enacted by state leaders, increased crime rates, the persistent homeless problem, and the high cost of living. Research from the University of California’s California Policy Lab indicates that since the pandemic, the proportion of residents moving out of the state's higher-income communities has risen significantly.
Studies suggest that high housing costs, energy expenses, taxes, and elevated gas prices contribute to California households having approximately 35 percent less disposable income than the national average. The state's job market has also shown signs of stagnation, with job growth averaging 6,000 positions per month over a recent four-month period, a rate described as sluggish.