The snapshot
Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy have moved their family from Los Angeles to Florida after more than a decade on the West Coast. The “Dancing With the Stars” pros documented the emotional transition on social media, sharing tears, goodbyes, and the reasons behind their decision to relocate with their three young sons.
The moment
On June 29, Murgatroyd, 39, and Chmerkovskiy, 46, posted a joint announcement on Instagram confirming they had officially moved to Florida with their sons Shai, 9, Rio, 3, and Milan, 23 months. The video showed the family dancing together in their new backyard under Florida sunshine, a moment that felt both celebratory and bittersweet.
According to E! Online, the couple wrote, “Leaving behind the place we’d called home for so many years wasn’t easy, but sometimes the biggest leaps lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. The happiness, the slower pace, the sunshine, watching our boys love every second of it… it’s everything we hoped for and more.”
In a follow-up post, Murgatroyd shared a video of herself and Chmerkovskiy in the car as they drove away from their Los Angeles home for the final time. Both were visibly emotional, wiping away tears as they left behind 16 years of memories.
According to E! Online, she wrote in the caption, “Something new is never easy. There are tears you don’t expect, goodbyes that hit harder than you imagined, and moments where you wonder if you’re making the right decision. But sometimes you have to leave what’s comfortable to find what’s meant for you.”
The take
This is not just a celebrity relocation story. It is a family decision grounded in lifestyle, pacing, and what the couple felt they needed for themselves and their children. Murgatroyd reflected on her 16 years in Los Angeles with gratitude, but also clarity that it was time for something different.
The move reflects a broader pattern among public figures leaving Los Angeles in search of slower rhythms, stronger community connections, and environments that feel more conducive to raising young children. For Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy, the decision appears rooted in wanting their boys to experience a different kind of childhood, one with more space, sunshine, and simplicity.
Their willingness to document the emotional complexity of the move, tears included, made the announcement feel genuine and relatable. This was not a casual cross-country shift. It was a leap that required leaving behind friendships, familiarity, and a city that had been home throughout the most defining years of their careers.
Receipts
Confirmed:
- Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy moved from Los Angeles to Florida in June 2025
- The couple announced the move on Instagram on June 29, 2025
- They have three sons: Shai, 9, Rio, 3, and Milan, 23 months
- Murgatroyd had lived in Los Angeles for 16 years
- The couple married in 2017
- They posted a YouTube vlog documenting the moving process
- Their son’s bike was stolen during the move
- Gas was mistakenly turned off at Murgatroyd’s mother’s house instead of their own home
Unverified/Reported:
- The specific city or region in Florida where the family relocated
- Whether the move is permanent or an extended trial period
- Future plans regarding their work commitments with “Dancing With the Stars”
Backstory (for casual readers)
Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy are both professional ballroom dancers who became household names through their appearances on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.” Murgatroyd has won the competition twice, while Chmerkovskiy has been a fan favorite for years. The two married in 2017 after an on-and-off relationship that began years earlier.
Their personal lives have been openly shared with fans, including Murgatroyd’s struggles with fertility and pregnancy loss before the birth of their younger sons. The couple has built a loyal following not only for their dancing but also for their willingness to show the real, unfiltered moments of marriage and parenthood.
Los Angeles has long been a hub for entertainment professionals, but in recent years a number of public figures have chosen to leave the city in favor of quieter, more family-oriented environments. Florida has become a particularly popular destination due to its lack of state income tax, warm weather, and growing infrastructure for remote work and business.
What’s next
Murgatroyd and Chmerkovskiy have not indicated whether they plan to step back from their roles on “Dancing With the Stars” or other professional commitments. The show films in Los Angeles, which could mean frequent travel back to the West Coast during production seasons.
The couple has hinted at creating more content around their new life in Florida, including potential vlogs and social media updates. Their audience has responded warmly to the announcement, with many followers expressing support and curiosity about how the move will shape their day-to-day routines.
For now, the family appears focused on settling in, exploring their new home, and adjusting to a pace of life that feels markedly different from the one they left behind.
When a couple leaves behind everything familiar to start over somewhere new, what does that say about what they were looking for all along?
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