Celebrated "Dancing With the Stars" professionals Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim "Maks" Chmerkovskiy have officially commenced a new chapter in their lives, signaling a definitive departure from their long-standing residence in Los Angeles. The popular couple, known for their captivating ballroom performances and burgeoning family life, has placed their expansive Valley Village home on the rental market, solidifying their transition to a new family base in Boca Raton, Florida. This strategic move, confirmed by property records obtained by TMZ and publicly shared by the couple, marks a significant personal and professional shift for the Chmerkovskiy family.
The California Chapter Closes: A Look at the Valley Village Residence
The property, which served as the Chmerkovskiy family’s primary residence in Los Angeles, was listed for rent approximately 20 days prior to the June 29, 2026, publication date, with an asking price of $18,000 per month. Located in the desirable Valley Village neighborhood, the residence offers a substantial living space spanning approximately 4,300 square feet. It features four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, catering to a family of their size, which includes their three young sons: Shai, Rio, and Milan.
The architectural design of the home is described as Napa-inspired, a style known for its rustic elegance, emphasis on natural materials, and seamless integration with indoor-outdoor living. This aesthetic is reflected in the property’s upscale finishes, which include luxurious herringbone oak floors that lend a sophisticated warmth to the interior. Solid alder wood doors throughout the house contribute to its robust and handcrafted feel, while oak ceilings add an element of grandeur and natural texture.
The heart of any modern home, the kitchen, is outfitted with top-tier appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf, indicative of a space designed for serious culinary endeavors and entertaining. Custom cherry wood cabinetry provides ample storage and a touch of bespoke craftsmanship. A particularly intriguing feature is a hidden "secret pantry," adding an element of surprise and practicality, showcasing thoughtful design choices that blend functionality with unique charm. These high-end appointments suggest a property that has been meticulously maintained and upgraded, justifying its premium rental valuation in the competitive Los Angeles market.
Valley Village, a serene and family-friendly enclave within the San Fernando Valley, is highly sought after for its quiet streets, good schools, and relative proximity to major studios and entertainment hubs, while offering a more suburban feel than central Los Angeles. The $18,000 monthly rental price reflects the area’s robust real estate demand and the property’s luxurious specifications. For comparison, similar high-end rentals in Valley Village can range from $12,000 to $25,000 depending on size, amenities, and specific location, positioning the Chmerkovskiy’s home squarely in the upper echelon of the local rental market. The listing is managed by Brett Karns of The Agency, who also holds the distinction of having built the home, offering a unique level of insight into its construction and features.
Embracing the Sunshine State: A New Beginning in Boca Raton
The decision to rent out their Los Angeles home comes on the heels of the couple’s recent announcement that they had packed up their lives and relocated their entire family to Boca Raton, Florida. This move, which they publicly shared just days before the rental listing became known, signifies a profound change in their residential base and lifestyle preferences. Boca Raton, located on Florida’s southeastern coast, is renowned for its affluent communities, pristine beaches, golf courses, and vibrant cultural scene. It offers a distinct contrast to the fast-paced, industry-centric environment of Los Angeles.
The choice of Boca Raton is particularly telling, as Florida has become an increasingly popular destination for celebrities and high-net-worth individuals seeking a different quality of life, often characterized by more space, a slower pace, and significant tax advantages, including no state income tax. For a family with three young children, the appeal of Florida’s family-friendly amenities, numerous outdoor activities, and renowned educational institutions can be substantial. The warm climate year-round also facilitates an active outdoor lifestyle, which Peta and Maks have alluded to as a major draw.
Documenting the Emotional Transition: From Farewell to Florida
The Chmerkovskiy family candidly documented their cross-country move in a YouTube vlog posted earlier this week, offering their legion of fans an intimate glimpse into the emotional complexities of such a monumental life change. The vlog captured poignant moments, including Peta and Maks wiping away tears as they drove off from their Los Angeles home, their car filled with moving boxes. This raw display of emotion underscored the deep personal connection they had to their California residence and the community they were leaving behind.
Beyond the vlog, Peta Murgatroyd also took to Instagram to share her feelings, openly admitting that departing from Los Angeles was "not easy." Her social media posts provided a platform for her to connect with followers who have followed their journey, both professional and personal, for years. These shared sentiments resonated with many who understand the emotional weight of uprooting a family, particularly when it involves leaving a place that has been central to one’s career and personal milestones. The public sharing of their vulnerability offered a humanizing perspective on celebrity life, demonstrating that even public figures grapple with the same emotional challenges as anyone else during major transitions.
Reasons Behind the Relocation: Family First in the Sunshine State
Since their arrival in Florida, Peta has been actively sharing updates on social media, highlighting the positive aspects of their new environment. She has repeatedly emphasized that the "slower pace of life" in Florida, coupled with the "warm weather" and the observable fact of "watching their boys thrive," has made the cross-country move unequivocally "worth it." These statements offer crucial insight into the underlying motivations for their relocation.
The allure of a slower pace suggests a desire to escape the incessant demands and often overwhelming energy of the entertainment industry hub that is Los Angeles. For many who work in Hollywood, the constant pressure to be "on," the relentless traffic, and the high cost of living can eventually outweigh the career advantages. A quieter, more community-focused lifestyle often becomes paramount, especially for growing families.
The consistent warm weather in Florida naturally supports an outdoor-centric lifestyle, providing ample opportunities for children to play outside year-round. This contrasts with the more varied climate of Los Angeles, which, while generally pleasant, still experiences cooler seasons. For active individuals like Peta and Maks, who are accustomed to physical movement and dance, a climate conducive to outdoor activities aligns well with their personal values and health-conscious approach to life.
Perhaps most significantly, the observation that their "boys thrive" in Florida speaks volumes about the family-centric nature of their decision. Children often benefit from stability, access to nature, and environments that foster exploration and community engagement. The perceived positive impact on their sons – Shai, Rio, and Milan – appears to be the ultimate validation for their significant life change. This reflects a growing trend among celebrities prioritizing family well-being and seeking environments that offer a more grounded upbringing away from the intense media scrutiny and cultural pressures often associated with Los Angeles.
Navigating New Horizons: Challenges and Rewards
While the transition has largely been portrayed as positive, it was not entirely without its challenges, as Peta candidly shared. In the family’s vlog, she recounted an unfortunate incident where Shai’s bike was stolen while they were in the midst of preparing to leave Los Angeles. This personal setback, occurring amidst the chaos of moving, added an unexpected layer of stress to an already emotional process. Peta speculated that the bike might have been taken by a young homeless woman whom the couple had offered assistance to the night before, providing her with food and blankets. This anecdote, while unfortunate, offered a stark reminder of some of the societal challenges prevalent in large urban centers like Los Angeles, and the complexities of goodwill. It also highlighted the vulnerabilities inherent in the moving process, even for well-known figures.
Despite this minor setback, the overwhelming narrative from the Chmerkovskiy household is one of contentment and optimism for their future in Florida. The rewards of their new lifestyle, as articulated by Peta, evidently outweigh the difficulties encountered during the transition. This balance of challenge and reward is a common theme in major life changes, and the family’s openness about both aspects has allowed their audience to connect with their journey on a deeper level.
The Broader Trend: Celebrity Exodus from Los Angeles
The Chmerkovskiy’s departure from Los Angeles is not an isolated incident but rather indicative of a broader trend of celebrities and high-profile individuals relocating from California to other states, particularly Florida and Texas. This phenomenon has been gaining momentum over the past few years, driven by a confluence of factors.
Economically, states like Florida offer significant advantages, primarily the absence of state income tax, which can result in substantial savings for individuals with high earnings. California, conversely, has one of the highest state income tax rates in the nation. Beyond taxes, the cost of living, particularly housing, has surged dramatically in major California metropolitan areas, making even luxurious properties feel less accessible or less value-for-money compared to other states. While Boca Raton is an affluent area, the overall tax burden and potentially greater purchasing power for real estate often prove attractive.
Lifestyle considerations also play a pivotal role. Many celebrities express a desire for more privacy, a greater sense of community, and a slower pace of life for their families, which they often find lacking in the intensely scrutinized environment of Los Angeles. Concerns about public safety, homelessness, and the general urban environment in parts of California have also been cited by some as reasons for their move. The Chmerkovskiy’s emphasis on a "slower pace" and their children "thriving" aligns perfectly with these broader motivations.
This trend is not just anecdotal; data from various moving companies and real estate analyses have shown a net out-migration from California, particularly among affluent residents. While Los Angeles remains the epicenter of the entertainment industry, the rise of remote work capabilities and the increasing diversification of production hubs mean that being physically present in Hollywood is no longer an absolute prerequisite for many creative professionals.
Implications for Their Careers and Public Persona
The move to Florida potentially carries implications for Peta and Maks’ professional careers, though perhaps less so than for actors or directors who rely heavily on daily proximity to studios. As professional dancers and choreographers, their work often involves touring, special appearances, and television productions that may not be exclusively based in Los Angeles. "Dancing With the Stars," for instance, primarily films in Los Angeles, but their roles as former pros mean their involvement can be more flexible, perhaps as guest performers, choreographers, or even judges, which might not necessitate full-time residency in California.
Moreover, both Peta and Maks have cultivated strong personal brands through social media, YouTube, and various endorsements, which are not geographically constrained. Their ability to connect with fans and maintain their public profile through digital platforms means their physical location has become less critical for sustaining their careers. In fact, showcasing their new Florida lifestyle could even open up new opportunities for content creation, endorsements related to family life, and engagement with a broader audience beyond the traditional Hollywood sphere.
Their public persona, characterized by their authenticity and dedication to family, is only enhanced by this move. By prioritizing their family’s well-being and openly sharing their journey, they reinforce their image as relatable public figures navigating life’s challenges and joys, much like their fans. This transparency can strengthen their connection with their audience, fostering a deeper sense of loyalty and engagement.
In conclusion, Peta Murgatroyd and Maks Chmerkovskiy’s decision to rent out their Los Angeles home and establish new roots in Boca Raton, Florida, marks a significant turning point for the couple and their young family. It underscores a growing trend among public figures to seek out environments that offer a more balanced lifestyle, enhanced privacy, and a greater sense of community, particularly when raising children. While their California chapter closes with emotional goodbyes, their new life in the Sunshine State represents a deliberate choice to prioritize family well-being, a slower pace, and a future rich with new possibilities, both personal and professional. Their journey, openly shared with their fans, provides a compelling narrative of adaptation, resilience, and the evolving landscape of celebrity life in the 21st century.
