Kirk Cameron, best known from Growing Pains, has officially joined the growing number of celebrities leaving California. After spending decades in the Golden State, he has packed up and moved to Tennessee—a decision he says stems from both personal beliefs and frustration with California’s direction.
In a recent interview, Cameron explained that the move wasn’t sudden but had been a long time coming. “California has been heading in a certain direction for years,” he said. “The division, the tension, the erosion of shared values—it’s becoming harder to raise a family in a place that doesn’t align with what we believe in.”
Faith and family have always guided Cameron. He is a father of six, has been married for over thirty years, and is outspoken about his Christian values. Over the last ten years, he has grown more vocal about cultural changes in entertainment and politics. Tennessee, he says, offered something California no longer could: a community rooted in shared principles.
“I wanted to be somewhere that values God, family, and country,” Cameron said. “A place where my children and grandchildren can grow up without feeling the need to apologize for their beliefs.”
The move also had a family element: three of his grown children had already settled in Tennessee, making the decision easier. “If things ever go wrong—economic trouble, political chaos, whatever—I want to be surrounded by people who value freedom, hard work, and faith,” he said.
Cameron has noticed he is far from alone in his relocation. “It’s surprising how many Californians are here,” he joked. “You see them at the grocery store or at church, all saying the same thing—they couldn’t take it anymore. I always tell them, ‘Don’t California our Tennessee.’”
The phrase, partly humorous but partly serious, has become a motto for those leaving California for more conservative states. Rising housing costs, high taxes, and political polarization are pushing thousands of people away, especially families seeking community and slower-paced living.
For Cameron, who grew up in Hollywood, the change has been striking. In Los Angeles, interactions often felt transactional—about work, status, or image. In Tennessee, he has found something more genuine. “People still wave from their porches,” he said. “They ask how you’re doing and actually want to know.”
He describes his new life as simple yet fulfilling. Mornings are spent walking his property, chatting with neighbors, or having coffee at the local diner. Sundays are particularly meaningful—not for fame or fan attention, but for fellowship. “There’s a humility here that feels like home,” he said.
The move echoes that of his sister, Full House star Candace Cameron Bure, who has also publicly discussed leaving California “for safety and security reasons.” Both siblings, known for their Christian values, have expressed feeling alienated by Hollywood’s changing culture.
“I don’t think California is evil,” Cameron said. “But it has lost sight of what makes life meaningful. People are chasing status, politics, or outrage and forgetting faith, family, and gratitude.”
He believes the trend reflects a bigger picture about America. “Not everyone has to move to Tennessee,” he said, smiling, “but many people need to rediscover what truly matters. It’s about priorities, not location.”
Despite the serious topic, Cameron maintains his humor, noting the things he enjoys about Tennessee—from the local whiskey to the slower pace of life. “Here, neighbors watch out for one another. People fix things instead of throwing them away. There’s strength in that,” he said.
His relocation also represents a cultural moment—a quiet exodus of families, business owners, and faith-driven individuals leaving coastal states for communities that align more with their values. For Cameron, it’s more than a change of scenery; it’s a chance to escape the noise.
“I spent my life surrounded by cameras, studios, and scripts,” he said. “Now, I wake up to birds, sunlight, and my wife laughing in the kitchen. That’s the life I want—real, present, and honest.”
While he hasn’t ruled out future Hollywood projects, his heart is firmly in the South. He is exploring faith-based media ventures, aiming to produce uplifting content.
Asked if he misses California, he replied simply, “I miss some people, but not the chaos. You reach a point where peace matters more than being close to the ocean.”
For Kirk Cameron, Tennessee isn’t an escape—it’s a return to the values that shaped him long before fame did. “Sometimes you have to leave the noise behind to remember what quiet really sounds like,” he said.