Dennis Quaid is “one of thousands” of Los Angeles residents who have moved away because the town has gone “downhill.”
“Going Downhill”
The Alamo star spent years living in the California city, but he relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2020 with his wife, Laura Savoie. He still kept a property in the LA area of Brentwood, which was evacuated during the devastating wildfires of 2025.
Quaid has now admitted he’s fallen out of love with Los Angeles, and he’s convinced the fires exposed even more problems for residents. He told Fox News, “[L.A.] used to be such a great town and the ‘90s was nice. And then it’s been kind of going downhill and I feel like people pay these taxes for no services is what it gets down to.”
“The fire happens and it kind of exposes all those things that go on that should have been taken care of. So people are – people are angry, half angry and they’re half kind of feel like giving up, to tell you the truth.”
He went on to add, “I’m just one of thousands who have left. And I don’t know, I hope the town comes back. I really do. It used to be such a fantastic town. … was a great community, too. And something’s happened. People need to be inspired there.”
Hard to Live in California
Quaid, who has also owned homes in Texas and Montana, previously opened up about his decision to swap California for Tennessee in an interview with Franklin Lifestyle magazine in 2021, insisting life in LA became “harder” in recent years.
He said, “So many people are moving out of California because they just don’t make it easy to live there. It’s getting harder and harder to build something there.”
Living in Nashville
“I’ve been coming to Nashville, especially over the last five years and kindling a love affair with the city. I just really like it here. I’m originally from Houston, TX and it just reminds me of where I grew up and the people I grew up knowing.”
“In fact, I have several cousins here. My grandfather came to Texas from Tennessee in 1903 in a covered wagon. So we’re moving back now I guess.”
Quaid’s Nashville home is in the Hillwood neighborhood, and he’s very happy with his decision to move there.
He added, “It’s a beautiful city. It’s perfect. It’s a feeling out there. Reminds you of days gone by. You feel like you’re living history.”