Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy—better known to fans simply as Peta and Maks—have officially closed one major chapter and opened another, relocating their family from Los Angeles to Boca Raton, Florida.
The announcement, revealed publicly around June 29, 2026, surprised fans not because of relationship news or career changes—but because it represented something quieter and perhaps even more meaningful: a deliberate decision to redesign everyday life around family.
The couple documented the journey through emotional Instagram posts and a deeply personal YouTube vlog, showing everything from moving boxes and empty rooms to tears, uncertainty, and ultimately a sense of peace.
For a family whose life unfolded in front of audiences for years, this move felt unusually intimate.
Why Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy Decided to Leave Los Angeles
After approximately 16 years of calling Los Angeles home, Peta and Maks made the decision to step away from the fast pace and familiarity of California.
Their destination: Boca Raton, Florida.
Rather than presenting the move as a dramatic escape, the couple described it as a thoughtful shift toward a lifestyle that better supports raising their three young sons.
What stands out most in their reflections is that this wasn’t framed as a career move—it was framed as a family decision.
According to the couple’s own social posts and vlog footage, the change came with difficult emotions, unexpected moments, and plenty of questions along the way.
Peta openly reflected:
“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.”
That message resonated widely with followers who connected with the universal experience of leaving behind something familiar in pursuit of something better.
Official Family Move Details: From California to Florida
Below is a quick breakdown of the move and timeline shared publicly.
| Category | Details |
| Couple | Peta Murgatroyd & Maksim Chmerkovskiy |
| Previous Home | Los Angeles, California |
| New Home | Boca Raton, Florida |
| Family Members | Peta, Maks, and sons Shai, Rio, and Milan |
| Children’s Ages | Shai (9), Rio (3), Milan (1, turning 2 in July 2026) |
| Public Announcement | Around June 29, 2026 |
| Shared Through | Instagram posts/reels and YouTube vlog |
| LA Property Status | Family home being rented out |
| Main Motivation Shared | Family happiness and quality of life |
The Emotional Goodbye: Tears, Empty Rooms and Uncertainty
Moving homes is emotional for most families.
Moving after more than a decade in one place carries an entirely different weight.
The footage shared by the couple captured those feelings without filtering them.
Fans saw Peta and Maks sitting inside a car surrounded by packed belongings. There were visible tears. There were moments of silence. There were scenes walking through an empty house that once held birthdays, milestones, newborn moments, and years of family memories.
Those images became some of the most talked-about moments from the announcement.
The couple didn’t hide uncertainty.
Instead, they openly acknowledged wondering whether they were making the right decision.
That honesty transformed what could have been a celebrity relocation story into something audiences connected with on a personal level.
The Unexpected Twist: Fans Thought It Was a Pregnancy Announcement
One of the most memorable details of the reveal was how playfully the couple introduced the news.
In one Instagram video, they leaned into audience expectations.
At first glance, many followers assumed another baby announcement was coming.
There was dancing.
There was anticipation.
Then came the reveal.
A sign appeared reading:
“We moved to Florida!!!”
The moment instantly became a fan favorite because it balanced humor with genuine excitement.
It also reflected something familiar about Peta and Maks—the ability to turn major life changes into moments that feel joyful and entertaining.
The Hardest Part of the Move: A Sad Incident During Packing
Although the family now speaks positively about the experience, the transition wasn’t without difficult moments.
One unexpected incident involved their oldest son, Shai.
During the moving process, Shai’s bike disappeared from the garage.
According to Peta’s reflections, she believed it may have been connected to an encounter the family had shortly before.
The day before the bike went missing, they had helped a young homeless woman—described as appearing to be in her early twenties and from Georgia.
The family had offered support that included food, takeout meals, blankets, and items from their refrigerator.
While Peta expressed sadness over the missing bike, she also maintained compassion and perspective.
Her reaction reflected empathy rather than anger.
As she explained emotionally, the feeling remained that perhaps the person needed it more.
That moment became one of the more unexpected emotional beats in the vlog because it highlighted the balance between disappointment and understanding.
Why Florida Already Feels Like the Right Decision
Despite emotional goodbyes and moving challenges, the couple says the transition has already validated itself.
After arriving in Boca Raton and beginning to settle in, their reflections shifted noticeably from uncertainty to gratitude.
Peta shared:
“Looking back now, we know this was the best decision for our family. Our boys are so happy, our hearts are full, and we’re incredibly grateful for this new chapter. Goodbye LA. Hello Florida.”
The strongest theme repeated across their updates wasn’t location—it was atmosphere.
They emphasized:
- More sunshine
- A slower pace of life
- More family time
- Watching their boys enjoy everyday moments
- Greater peace and happiness
Peta later added:
“The happiness, the slower pace, the sunshine, watching our boys love every second of it… it’s everything we hoped for and more. Worth every box. Every goodbye. Every unknown. No looking back… only looking forward.”
Those words appear to capture the heart of the move more than any relocation detail.
A Full-Circle Moment for a Dancing With the Stars Power Couple
For longtime Dancing with the Stars viewers, this move carries additional meaning.
Peta joined the competition series in Season 12 and became a two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner.
Maks built one of the show’s most memorable careers and famously earned victory with Meryl Davis.
Their relationship grew through the world of dance before eventually becoming a marriage in July 2017.
Over the years, audiences watched them evolve from professional performers into parents of three.
Their work expanded beyond television into podcasts—including Penthouse with Peta—family content, and creative projects.
Now, this relocation feels like another milestone in that evolution.
Not stepping away.
Just stepping into something different.
Friends and DWTS Stars React to the Florida Move
The announcement also drew warm responses from friends and fellow Dancing with the Stars personalities.
Among the reactions:
- Sharna Burgess shared supportive messages and joked about visiting soon.
- Jenna Johnson celebrated the family’s new beginning.
- Carrie Ann Inaba praised the decision, commenting: “Bravo for bravery.”
The encouragement reflected how many people understood the emotional weight of leaving behind years of memories to start again.
Goodbye Hollywood, Hello Florida: A New Chapter Begins
Celebrity moves are often framed around luxury, business opportunities, or bigger houses.
This story felt different.
Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy presented their relocation as something deeply personal—a decision rooted in family, environment, and long-term happiness.
Their Los Angeles home may now become a rental property.
But the memories built there remain part of their story.
And if their early reflections are any indication, Florida is already beginning to feel like home.
For now, the message from the family appears simple:
Sometimes the hardest goodbyes create the space for the happiest beginnings.
Leave a Reply