Kirk Cameron flees California for Tennessee!
Kirk Cameron, the former Growing Pains star, has officially joined the growing wave of celebrities leaving California. After decades in the Golden State, he’s packed up and relocated to Tennessee — a move he says reflects both personal conviction and deep frustration with the direction California has taken.
In an interview earlier this week, Cameron explained that his decision wasn’t impulsive but had been brewing for years. “California’s been moving in a particular direction for a long time,” he said. “The division, the hostility, the breakdown of shared values — it’s become harder and harder to raise a family in an environment that doesn’t reflect what we believe in.”
For Cameron, faith and family have always been the compass points of his life. He’s a father of six, a husband of more than thirty years, and an outspoken Christian. Over the past decade, he’s grown increasingly vocal about his concerns with cultural shifts in entertainment and politics. Tennessee, he said, offered something California no longer could: a community grounded in shared principles.
“I wanted to be somewhere that still values God, family, and country,” Cameron said. “Somewhere where my kids and grandkids can grow up without feeling like they have to apologize for their beliefs.”
Cameron’s choice wasn’t made in isolation. Three of his grown children had already settled in Tennessee, and that family connection sealed the deal. “If everything hits the fan — economic collapse, political chaos, whatever — I want to be around people who have a healthy freedom mindset. People who take care of each other, who still believe in hard work and faith,” he explained.
Once he made the move, Cameron realized he wasn’t alone. “It’s shocking how many Californians are here,” he said with a laugh. “You run into them at the grocery store or at church, and they’re all saying the same thing — they just couldn’t take it anymore. But I always tell them: ‘Don’t California our Tennessee.’”
The phrase, half-joking but half-serious, has become a kind of mantra for the growing number of transplants who have fled California for red-state America. Rising housing costs, high taxes, and a growing sense of political polarization have pushed thousands out of the state, particularly families seeking a slower pace and stronger sense of community.
For Cameron, who grew up in the glare of Hollywood, the contrast has been profound. In Los Angeles, he said, every social interaction seemed transactional — about projects, status, or image. In Tennessee, he’s rediscovered something more grounded. “Here, people still wave to you from their porch,” he said. “They ask how you’re doing and actually wait for the answer.”
The actor describes life in his new state as both simple and rich. He spends mornings walking his property, often stopping to talk with neighbors or share coffee at the local diner. He says Sunday mornings are the highlight of his week — not because of celebrity appearances or fan attention, but because of fellowship. “There’s a deep humility here that feels like home,” he said.
His move also echoes the decision of his sister, Full House star Candace Cameron Bure, who has spoken publicly about moving away from California “for safety and security reasons.” Both siblings, known for their outspoken Christian values, have been candid about feeling alienated by Hollywood’s increasingly ideological culture.
“I don’t think California is evil,” Cameron clarified. “But it’s become disconnected from the things that make life meaningful. People are chasing status, politics, or outrage. They’re forgetting faith, family, and gratitude.”
He believes the migration trend says something bigger about America as a whole. “I don’t think everyone needs to move to Tennessee,” he said with a grin, “but I do think more people need to rediscover what matters most. It’s not about geography — it’s about priorities.”
Despite the serious tone of his comments, Cameron hasn’t lost his sense of humor. He’s quick to note the things he loves about his new home — from “the good whiskey” to the slower pace of life. “It’s the kind of place where your neighbors look out for you, where people still fix things instead of throwing them away,” he said. “There’s a strength in that.”
Cameron’s decision reflects a broader cultural moment — a quiet exodus of families, small business owners, and faith-driven individuals leaving coastal states for places that feel less hostile to traditional values. It’s not just about taxes or weather. It’s about belonging.
For someone like Cameron, who has spent his life in the spotlight, the move represents more than a change of scenery. It’s a deliberate rejection of the noise. In Tennessee, he says, he can finally hear himself think.
“I’ve spent most of my life surrounded by cameras, studios, and scripts,” he said. “Now, I wake up to birds, sunlight, and the sound of my wife laughing in the kitchen. That’s the life I want. Real, present, honest.”
While he hasn’t ruled out returning to Hollywood for future projects, Cameron insists his heart is firmly rooted in the South now. He’s even begun exploring faith-based media ventures from Tennessee, hoping to produce stories that uplift rather than divide.
When asked if he misses California, his answer is simple. “I miss some people. But I don’t miss the chaos. You get to a certain age where peace matters more than proximity to the ocean.”
For Kirk Cameron, Tennessee isn’t an escape — it’s a homecoming to the values that shaped him long before fame did. And as he puts it, “Sometimes you have to leave the noise behind to remember what the quiet sounds like.”