From Los Angeles to Charlotte: A Woman’s Journey Amidst Wildfires and Rising Costs

A woman, once deeply invested in her California dream, has left Los Angeles permanently due to wildfires, high living costs, and restrictions on Airbnb, which used to be a financial lifeline for her.

Recent census data highlights that Natasha Tomlinson-Clark is among many Los Angeles residents who have made the decision to leave the state, influenced by various factors.

It all started with local regulations and the looming threat of fines. Tomlinson-Clark had to stop relying on short-term rentals to supplement her income. “I was using Airbnb in West Hollywood to survive,” she said, reflecting on her experience. “When they shut down my Airbnb, it became really tough financially.”

The situation reached a tipping point when the Palisades fire made her and her husband, Luke, rethink their living situation. “Then the fire really broke out. It took us by surprise,” she recalled. “We were spending so much money, and we couldn’t even get home insurance. We felt like sitting ducks.”

“I thought, ‘What are we doing?'” she added, contemplating their choices.

In just a few months, Tomlinson-Clark and her husband had moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. She describes the move as somewhat instinctive but agrees it was an immediate improvement. “We went straight to Charlotte. It was cheaper, and it made financial sense.”

The couple bought a 2,800-square-foot home for $660,000 in May 2025, a price that would barely secure a modest property in Southern California. “The things you can buy here are ridiculous compared to California,” she noted, emphasizing the contrast.

The statistics support her observations; Los Angeles County lost around 54,000 residents between July 2024 and July 2025, marking the largest population decline in the country. This shift has driven the county’s population below 9.7 million, a continuous downward trend.

Experts point to affordability as a main factor behind this exodus. Joel Berner, a senior economist at Realtor.com, mentioned that L.A.’s housing affordability score stands at just 0.41, considerably lower than the national average of 0.77. With median rents soaring to $2,709 in the county, many residents have found themselves unable to afford living there.

“Incomes in Los Angeles just aren’t keeping pace with housing costs,” Berner remarked, noting that many people feel they have no choice but to leave.

That’s exactly what Tomlinson-Clark faced, and it wasn’t an easy decision. “I never considered leaving Los Angeles, and to be honest, the fire was a major factor,” she explained. “I worked really hard to be in California. I specifically chose California.” While she stated that her move wasn’t politically motivated, the economic realities were impossible to ignore. Just last week, she mentioned she purchased another property, having acquired her first home only ten months prior, saying, “Money goes further here.”

Despite her new circumstances, she hasn’t entirely ruled out a return to California. “I’m better off financially, but I’m giving up a lot,” she admitted. “California—that’s the price you pay. It has its challenges.”

“Leaving is really tough,” she concluded, reflecting on her journey. “I can’t say I’ll be here forever.”