Where Are People Moving After the LA Fires?

The devastating Pacific Palisades fire triggered one of the largest residential migrations in Los Angeles history, and at BMS Moving & Storage, we’re still witnessing this unprecedented movement firsthand months later. As families rebuild their lives after losing everything, understanding where they’re going, and why, reveals a story of resilience, practicality, and the search for new beginnings.

The Immediate Exodus

Real estate professionals at the center of this relocation wave reported receiving multiple calls daily from displaced Palisades residents seeking new homes. The Palisades Fire destroyed 6,831 structures and homes across 23,448 acres, creating an unprecedented scale of displacement, according to Fox Business.

What’s particularly striking is the speed of these decisions. One public school in Newport Beach received 76 new applicants from Los Angeles families in just 10 days, according to Fox Business. Families are making swift, potentially permanent life changes.

The Top Destination Cities

Based on real estate activity and closed deals, a clear pattern has emerged for where Palisades residents are relocating.

Staying Close to Home: Santa Monica and Brentwood

These neighboring communities top the list for obvious reasons. They offer proximity to what remains of residents’ former lives: jobs, schools that weren’t affected, and social networks. The demand has been so intense that property values in these areas have seen increases more aggressive than during the post-COVID real estate boom or when mortgage rates were at 2%, according to Fox Business.

For families trying to maintain some continuity, especially those with children in nearby schools, Santa Monica and Brentwood provide the path of least disruption. However, this convenience comes at a premium, with competition driving prices to new heights.

The Luxury Alternative: Beverly Hills and Lower Bel-Air

The second tier of destinations includes Beverly Hills and Lower Bel-Air, attracting those who can afford to maintain a similar lifestyle to what they had in the Palisades. These areas offer comparable amenities, excellent schools, and the prestige that many Palisades residents are accustomed to.

The Orange County Option: Newport Beach

Newport Beach has emerged as a surprising favorite, particularly for families prioritizing their children’s education. The combination of top-rated schools, a coastal lifestyle similar to the Palisades, and a fresh start away from fire-prone areas makes it increasingly attractive.

The influx has been so significant that local schools are scrambling to accommodate new students, and the real estate market there is experiencing its own surge.

The Out-of-State Escape: Scottsdale and Las Vegas

For those ready to leave California entirely, Scottsdale and Las Vegas are seeing significant interest. According to the NY Post, these destinations offer lower costs of living, no state income tax in Nevada’s case, modern amenities with good schools, and distance from California’s wildfire zones.

This represents a more dramatic life change but appeals to those who see the fires as a breaking point in their relationship with California living.

Why Families Can’t Wait to Move

One of the most pressing factors driving quick decisions is children’s education. Parents face an impossible choice: wait to see what happens with Palisades schools or secure spots in new schools while they’re available. The importance of stability for children during this upheaval cannot be overstated.

The uncertainty around when and where Palisades schools will reopen has pushed many families to commit to new communities rather than live in limbo. This educational urgency is turning what might have been temporary relocations into permanent moves.

A Transformed Real Estate Landscape

The ripple effects of this migration are reshaping Southern California’s real estate market in unprecedented ways. Traditional comparable sales have become meaningless in this new market reality, with properties from before 2025 no longer serving as valid comparisons, according to Fox Business.

This new reality means:

Bidding wars in destination communities
Premium prices for immediate availability
Cash offers becoming the norm
Properties selling sight unseen

For those in the moving industry, we’re seeing requests for expedited services, storage solutions, and long-distance moves at levels we’ve never experienced in such a concentrated timeframe.

The Permanent vs. Temporary Question

While it’s too early to definitively say how many of these moves will be permanent, real estate professionals predict that 70% of Palisades residents won’t return. Several factors support this sobering estimate:

Rebuilding challenges: The time, cost, and bureaucracy involved in rebuilding
Insurance battles: Many face coverage gaps and disputes
Trauma: The emotional toll of returning to a devastated community
Opportunity: Some see this as a chance for a fresh start

Those who do return will likely find a transformed community with a whole new group of residents who buy into the area once rebuilding begins, according to Fox Business.

What This Means for Moving Services

At BMS Moving & Storage, we’re adapting to serve this unprecedented need. Displaced families need more than just moving trucks. They need:

Flexible scheduling for quick moves
Storage solutions for salvaged belongings
Packing services for insurance documentation
Long-distance moving expertise for out-of-state relocations
Compassionate crews who understand the emotional weight of these moves

We’re seeing families make decisions in days that normally would take months. The traditional moving timeline has been compressed, and we’re working around the clock to accommodate these urgent needs.

A Changed California

This mass migration will have lasting effects on Southern California’s demographics, real estate markets, and communities. Destination cities are experiencing sudden population booms, while the Palisades faces an uncertain rebuilding process that could take years.

Understanding these migration patterns can inform better decisions for those considering their options, whether fire-displaced or simply reevaluating their California residence. The communities absorbing Palisades residents are transforming rapidly, with implications for housing costs, school systems, and local services.

How BMS Can Help

If you’re among those needing to relocate – whether due to the fires or any other reason, BMS Moving & Storage is here to help. With 17 locations across the country, we can facilitate moves to any of these destination cities and beyond. Our experienced teams understand that these aren’t just moves; they’re life transitions requiring extra care and support.

From our climate-controlled storage facilities for belongings you’re not ready to move yet, to our comprehensive packing services that ensure nothing else is lost, we’re equipped to handle every aspect of your relocation.

In challenging times, you need a moving partner who understands both the logistics and the human side of starting over. Contact BMS Moving & Storage today.