Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx recently opened up about his decision to make Wyoming his primary residence, a significant shift after living in Southern California for over four decades. The 65-year-old musician, who, along with his wife Courtney Sixx, has a 4-year-old daughter named Ruby, explained that the move has been instrumental in clearing their heads and providing a reset.
Living in Wyoming, the least populous U.S. state, offers the Sixx family the opportunity to immerse in outdoor activities like skiing, fishing, hiking, and snowmobiling. He emphasized the social aspect of the community, expressing his gratitude for the fantastic environment that allows him to wake up appreciating his surroundings.
During the COVID lockdown, the Sixx family explored various locations, including Idaho and Montana, before settling on Wyoming. Mr. Sixx explained that the decision was influenced by the absence of an entertainment business in Wyoming and the state’s outdoor-centric, healthy lifestyle. He said he appreciated the proximity to nature and the change of seasons, emphasizing the benefits of being away from the chaotic city life.
In a previous interview in October 2020 with the 95.5 KLOS radio station, Mr. Sixx highlighted Wyoming’s “no-B.S. type of people” and the overall outdoor-driven, healthy community. He drew parallels between Wyoming and his upbringing in Idaho in the ‘70s, feeling a strong connection to the environment.
The bassist also touched on the creative advantages of living in Wyoming, noting that the serene atmosphere allows ideas to flow freely. He compared it to Keith Richards’ approach of letting creativity emerge naturally. Mr. Sixx expressed the excitement of not knowing where his creative endeavors would lead, contrasting the business-focused environment of Los Angeles.
Despite the move, Mr. Sixx mentioned that he can always return to the city when needed for work or band rehearsals. He reflected on the positive impact of the change, both personally and creatively, reinforcing the idea that Wyoming has become a haven for his family.
In November 2022, it was reported that Mr. Sixx purchased a new home in Southern California, marking a return to the area. The musician and his wife acquired a property in Lake Sherwood for $6.9 million, overlooking Lake Sherwood reservoir. This move adds a twist to their journey, balancing life between the tranquility of Wyoming and the familiarity of Southern California.
Other Celebrities
This follows several other high profile celebrities who have said goodbye to California, including Julia Roberts, Mark Whalberg, Josh Brolin, John Goodman, and Nicole Kidman.At the forefront of this shift is Beverly Hills, with celebrities like Drake, Lil Uzi Vert, and Charlie Puth currently listing their homes for sale in the iconic neighborhood. Previously inhabited by stars like Rihanna and Mark Wahlberg, who sold his mansion for $55 million, Beverly Hills is witnessing a notable exodus of high-profile residents. Wahlberg, who relocated his family to Las Vegas, expressed his intention to contribute to making the city Hollywood 2.0, hoping for a favorable legislative outcome in the wake of a gubernatorial election.
Following closely is Hidden Hills, where eight celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, Madonna, and Sylvester Stallone are actively attempting to sell their properties. Listed prices for these homes range from $2.3 million to $17.2 million, with additional celebrities like Jessica Simpson and French Montana reportedly joining the trend.
Central Malibu emerges as another hotspot, where seven celebrities, including Cher and Halle Berry, are trying to sell their oceanfront properties along Pacific Coast Highway. Notable departures from the area earlier this year include Megan Fox and Dean Cain.
The phenomenon extends beyond individual neighborhoods, contributing to the larger trend of California’s declining population.
Los Angeles regions such as Studio City, Hollywood, Brentwood, Hancock Park, Encino, Montecito, and Bel Air also made the list of areas experiencing shifts in celebrity real estate preferences. A spokesperson for Vegas Gems attributed part of this transformation to the introduction of measures like the Los Angeles “Mansion Tax.” The measure adds a transfer tax structure with a 4 percent levy on sales exceeding $5 million and a 5.5 percent rate for transactions surpassing $10 million. Real estate deals below these thresholds in the city remain subject to the pre-existing transfer tax rate of 0.56 percent. This adjustment is part of the larger trend impacting the state’s population, with thousands of individuals finding themselves as contributors to California’s declining resident numbers. The study suggests that celebrities may be exploring alternative areas within the Golden State, focusing on those showing a notable price decline, such as San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Currently, Los Angeles properties average at $20.5 million.
To conduct this analysis, Vegas Gems collected data upon receiving notifications of celebrity real estate transactions. The information was then applied to pinpoint the property addresses of each celebrity, which were subsequently tracked using platforms like Redfin or Zillow to identify sales and relocations.
Beyond the celebrity sphere, the trend of Californians seeking to escape the high cost of living is evident in the substantial migration to Arizona. Of the individuals relocating to Arizona during the specified time frame, a significant 1 in every 5 came from California, totaling approximately 184,000 people. Washington, Texas, Illinois, and Colorado followed suit in the top five states attracting Californian movers.
