Former Dancing With the Stars professional Peta Murgatroyd and her husband Maksim Chmerkovskiy have revealed their love for their new Florida lifestyle after relocating to Boca Raton from Los Angeles.
The couple officially packed up their California home and moved to the Sunshine State on June 29 with their three sons: nine-year-old Shai, three-year-old Rio, and two-year-old Milan. Murgatroyd, 40, documented the cross-country relocation on social media before sharing details of their new routine in a recent Instagram Story video.
Speaking to her followers in clips cited by Us Weekly, Murgatroyd said the family had long admired the region before settling down. "We’ve always loved Florida, we've always loved the lifestyle here. We fell in love with Boca because it, kind of, has everything [and] the best of everything," she explained, noting that their new home is just 11 minutes from the beach, close to Miami, and surrounded by top-rated schools and youth sports programs.
Celebrity Exodus From Los Angeles
Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy are among a growing list of high-profile figures who have recently chosen to leave Los Angeles. Actor Mark Wahlberg relocated his family to Nevada in search of a fresh start and a better quality of life, while Eva Longoria stepped away from her Los Angeles base to split her time between Spain and Mexico.
Television host Kelly Clarkson moved to New York City with her two children for her talk show, which she is now leaving following the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock. Meanwhile, Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey moved his family back to his home state of Texas, and action star Sylvester Stallone left California to set down roots in Florida.
California, long known as the entertainment industry hub of the United States, has seen numerous high-profile residents depart in recent years for states offering suburban environments, lower population density, and quieter family living.
Adjusting to Florida Weather and Convenience
Murgatroyd, who was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia before moving to the United States in 2006, acknowledged that friends warned her about Florida's intense summer climate. Having lived in California for 20 years, she admitted she expected the transition to be more challenging.
"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,'" Murgatroyd said. "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 former dance champion highlighted the contrast between Boca Raton and the sprawling, traffic-dense layout of Los Angeles. "I would say convenience is key here," Murgatroyd noted. "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." She added: "I love it. I feel like at this stage of my life with three boys, I’m about convenience."
Community Spirit and Family Connections
Beyond local amenities, Murgatroyd praised the warm atmosphere in her new neighborhood, describing local mothers as sweet and accommodating. "I do feel like everyone here is … very sweet, very nice, very accommodating," she shared. "I'm like, 'This never happened over there.' The mothers are all really nice."
The mother of three emphasized that the move has provided her eldest son with the upbringing she had envisioned. "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," she said.
The move has also become a family affair. Chmerkovskiy's parents were so impressed by Boca Raton that they decided to relocate there as well. "They just really love Boca too, we didn't even realize they were going to do that. They have a really cute place, and they're very happy by the beach," Murgatroyd revealed.
Career Transitions and Dancing With the Stars Legacy
Both Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy built national fame as professional dancers on Dancing With the Stars, the long-running television competition series pairing celebrities with ballroom professionals. Chmerkovskiy stepped back from the series after Season 25 in late 2017, having performed with celebrity partners such as Vanessa Lachey.
Murgatroyd departed the show following Season 32 in late 2023, shortly after welcoming her third child. Having danced with partners including Barry Williams, she explained her decision at the time: "There's no way I'm ready physically. Mentally, yeah, I'm OK. But physically, I'm not up to par. I chose family over work this time."
Chmerkovskiy, who married Murgatroyd in 2017, told Entertainment Tonight in 2024 that the couple remains focused on home life and personal ventures outside of television. "We have other stuff going outside of the TV arena that we're very excited about, [but] I'm focused on the family," he said. He added: "Peta's doing incredible with her avenues and all that, so I get an opportunity to stay at home till further notice." When asked about becoming a father of three, he joked: "Are you ever? But now I'm definitely entering an elite club."
