14 Stars Who Left Los Angeles and Found a Fresh Start Elsewhere

Fed up with the constant buzz of Hollywood and the pressures of L.A. living, more and more celebrities are trading in the glitz of Hollywood for quieter pastures. Whether it’s for family life, personal growth, or a full-on career pivot, these A-listers are proving that you don’t need a Hollywood zip code to shine. From sprawling country estates to bustling cities on the East Coast and beyond, see where your favorite celebrities have escaped the LA rat race.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel

This celebrated couple chose to leave behind the Hollywood hills, seeking a slower pace and more space to raise their kids. Jessica Biel has spoken openly about wanting to give their children a sense of normalcy away from the paparazzi.”That’s why we don’t really live there anymore. It’s just trying to create some normalcy for these kids, and we want to share our family with our loved ones and friends”, she told  the Let’s Talk Off Camera With Kelly Ripa podcast. in 2025. While they still frequent L.A. for business, their hearts clearly lie elsewhere now. The couple owns homes in Nashville, Tennessee, and in Montana, per PopCulture.com.

Adrian Grenier

Famed for channeling Vincent Chase on Entourage, Adrian Grenier left L.A. for life beyond the limelight. In 2020, he traded Hollywood for a farm in Texas, and changed his life completely, according to Nines. He’s embraced eco-friendly living on a ranch in Bastrop, Texas, working to make the land a wildlife sanctuary, per Fox News. Grenier’s newfound tranquility sets an example for those looking to disconnect from city chaos.

Joe Manganiello

Joe Manganiello‘s rugged charm remains intact, even as he ditches L.A.’s relentless glare. He and his fiancée Caitlin O’Connor left the city after calling it home for more than 20 years and moved back to Pittsburgh, where they both grew up, as reported by Fox News. His move has encouraged others to prioritize well-being and meaningful connections back home.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria decided to carve out her own space away from the bustling L.A. scene. She now splits her time between Spain and Mexico with her husband José Bastón and their son Santiago, per Marie Claire.

Chris Hemsworth

Australian heartthrob Chris Hemsworth swapped L.A.’s fame for the rugged beauty of his home country. He moved back to Australia’s Byron Bay in 2015, per Man of Many. Speaking with Vanity Fair in 2024 Hemsworth stated that “I’m sick of my face. Why isn’t it on a billboard? I’m too famous. Why are there paparazzi here? Wait, why aren’t there any paparazzi here?” in reference to life living in Hollywood. His relocation shows that even Hollywood’s biggest names crave a reset in paradise.

Glen Powell

With a career soaring and new opportunities worldwide, Glen Powell sought inspiration outside Hollywood. He moved back to his hometown of Austin, Texas, telling Vanity Fair in 2025, “I needed a spiritual place where I could hang my hat and truly be unplugged”. After returning to the Lone Star State, Powell even enrolled in classes at the University of Texas at Austin, working towards a bachelor’s degree.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank followed her passions far from L.A., enjoying time riding horses and enjoying natural beauty. She relocated full time to a secluded 168-acre ranch in Colorado, motivated by her desire for more space for her animals and to be closer to nature, as reported by AmoMama. The two-time Oscar-winner, who won Best Actress for both Boys Don’t Cry and Million Dollar Baby, continues to balance film work with a life focused on wellness and the outdoors.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan‘s publicized exit from Hollywood’s whirlwind allowed her to reset and reinvent. The Freaky Friday star quietly moved to Dubai in 2015, later marrying financier Bader Shammas and welcoming a son. Now, she juggles starring roles and business ventures, including a multi-picture Netflix partnership, according to Hola!. Lohan’s transformation is one of true resilience and personal growth.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone, an icon of action, stepped away from Hollywood to find space and serenity. He moved from his Los Angeles home to Palm Beach, Florida, as reported by Fox Business. In 2020, Stallone purchased a sprawling $35.38 million home in Palm Beach, and later announced he was leaving California permanently, per NBC Los Angeles. Stallone’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, less really is more.

Aaron Paul

Aaron Paul and his family have officially traded Los Angeles for Paris, a life-changing decision that came in the wake of the devastating wildfires that swept through the Palisades area of California in January 2025. Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2025, the Breaking Bad star revealed that the fires served as a turning point, explaining, “When the fires happened in LA, we just knew that we were done with L.A, so we sold our house in LA and moved to Paris.”

Eric Stonestreet

Eric Stonestreet hung up his Modern Family hat and waved goodbye to the L.A. lifestyle in favor of his Midwestern roots. The Kansas City-born actor left California for the Kansas City area. Stonestreet, who played Cam Tucker on Modern Family for 11 seasons, has rediscovered what matters most, and his journey resonates with anyone yearning for a sense of home.

Chris Evans

The blockbuster star known for playing superheroes quietly stepped back from the LA spotlight. Chris Evans listed his Hollywood Hills home for $6.995 million in 2025, as reported by WSJ. Scott Moore, the real estate agent that listed the property told People the reason for the sale was that “After over a decade of amazing memories in his LA home, Chris is planning to move to the east coast to be closer to family.” Evans was born and raised in Massachusetts.

Richard Gere

Richard Gere‘s gentle transformation from Hollywood leading man to champion of causes came with a shift away from Los Angeles. He and his wife Alejandra Silva relocated to Madrid, Spain in 2024, as reported by Fox News. Gere proves that sometimes the best act is one of reinvention — far from the red carpet.