Mark Wahlberg reveals he left LA and $90M home to move family to Nevada to give kids a 'better life'

Mark Wahlberg has revealed he is joining the exodus from California by leaving his longtime home in Los Angeles in favor of Nevada in a quest to eventually build ‘Hollywood 2.0’ in Sin City.  

In an interview on Tuesday for The Talk, the 51-year-old actor said he had bid the Golden State farewell in hopes of giving his children a ‘better life’ in income tax-free Nevada.

He’s already made two purchases in the Silver State, a $15.6million 2.5-acre block of land in an exclusive area that he plans to build out, as well as a $14.5million bungalow to live in as construction begins, according to Elite Agent.

It comes as many celebrities have been getting out of California over taxes, rising crime in major cities and the state’s notorious homeless problem. The likes of Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne and Matt Damon have departed in recent years. 

Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso has made keeping Hollywood ‘in Hollywood’ a huge plank of his campaign, though he appears to have lost momentum to woke progressive Karen Bass. 

Wahlberg noted that he moved to Nevada in hopes of getting a tax credit that would ease the creation of his proposed film studio.

Change of scenery: Mark Wahlberg, 51, spoke about moving out of Los Angeles and uprooting his family for Nevada to give them a 'better life' during an appearance on The Talk on Tuesday; seen in 2015

Change of scenery: Mark Wahlberg, 51, spoke about moving out of Los Angeles and uprooting his family for Nevada to give them a ‘better life’ during an appearance on The Talk on Tuesday; seen in 2015

Wahlberg has already made two purchases in the Silver State, a $15.6million 2.5-acre block of land in an exclusive area that he plans to build out, as well as a $14.5million bungalow (pictured) to live in as construction begins

Wahlberg has already made two purchases in the Silver State, a $15.6million 2.5-acre block of land in an exclusive area that he plans to build out, as well as a $14.5million bungalow (pictured) to live in as construction begins

The huge, expensive plot of land in Nevada's exclusive Summit Club where Wahlberg hopes to begin construction

The huge, expensive plot of land in Nevada’s exclusive Summit Club where Wahlberg hopes to begin construction

Wahlberg noted that he moved to Nevada in hopes of getting a tax credit that would ease the creation of his proposed film studio

Wahlberg noted that he moved to Nevada in hopes of getting a tax credit that would ease the creation of his proposed film studio

‘After this gubernatorial election, hopefully we go to legislation and get a bill passed so we can get tax credits for the state, build a state of the art studio here and make this Hollywood 2.0,’ he explained, though he didn’t share which candidates he thought would be most likely to accommodate those goals.

Celebs who have made Sin City home 

Mark Wahlberg isn’t the only famous name who has said hello to Las Vegas. Other celebs who have camped in Sin City include: 

Celine Dion

Sheena Easton

Carrot Top

Criss Angel

Donny and Marie Osmond

Holly Madison

Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

Mike Tyson

Imagine Dragons

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf

Carlos Santana

Nicolas Cage

Gina Carano

Steve Aoki

Penn & Teller 

Source: 1 Oak Las Vegas 

The 2022 Nevada gubernatorial election features incumbent Democrat Steve Sisolak against Sheriff Joe Lombardo, which FiveThirtyEight sees as a slight advantage for Sisolak. Nevada already has a fairly generous tax credit system under Sisolak, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.  

Wahlberg’s move to Nevada, which borders California, comes after he put his astonishing 12-bedroom, 20-bathroom Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $87.5 million in April of this year.

Many celebrities have made their home in the state, with musical performers decamping there to take part in lucrative Vegas residencies, like Celine Dion, Criss Angel, The Osmonds, Imagine Dragons and David Copperfield. 

Although Wahlberg had lived in his Beverly Hills mansion for more than a decade, he described his time in California almost as if it was a missed opportunity.

‘I want to be able to work from home. I moved to California many years ago to pursue acting and I’ve only made a couple of movies in the entire time that I was there,’ he explained. ‘So, to be able to give my kids a better life and follow and pursue their dreams whether it be my daughter as an equestrian, my son as a basketball player, my younger son as a golfer, this made a lot more sense for us.’

Wahlberg — who shares Ella, 19; Michael, 16; Brendan, 14; and Grace, 12, with his wife Rhea Durham, 44 — may have only been referring to films shot near his home or in California, as he has starred in around 30 films since purchasing his Beverly Hills land in 2009.

Wahlberg wasn’t shy about admitting that his move out of California was about taxes, though he focused on how they would affect his businesses.

He added that he was hoping to get a film studio off the ground, as well as a ‘shoe factory’ and a ‘factory for [his clothing line] Municipal.’

‘So we came here to just give ourselves a new look, a fresh start for the kids, and there’s lots of opportunity here, so I’m really excited about the future,’ he said. 

As a producer, Wahlberg has been responsible for the hit HBO series Entourage, as well as Daddy’s Home 2, Father Stu and the documentary McMillions, without forgetting the infamous Wahlburgers reality show.  

Saying goodbye: Wahlberg's move to Nevada, which borders California, comes after he put his astonishing 12-bedroom, 20-bathroom Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $87.5 million in April of this year

Saying goodbye: Wahlberg’s move to Nevada, which borders California, comes after he put his astonishing 12-bedroom, 20-bathroom Beverly Hills mansion on the market for $87.5 million in April of this year

Remote worker: 'I want to be able to work from home. I moved to California many years ago to pursue acting and I¿ve only made a couple of movies in the entire time that I was there,' he explained on The Talk

Remote worker: ‘I want to be able to work from home. I moved to California many years ago to pursue acting and I’ve only made a couple of movies in the entire time that I was there,’ he explained on The Talk

Family: Wahlberg shares Ella, 19; Michael, 16; Brendan, 14; and Grace, 12, with his wife Rhea, 44

Family: Wahlberg shares Ella, 19; Michael, 16; Brendan, 14; and Grace, 12, with his wife Rhea, 44

Earlier, he explained that his desire to work close to where he lives was because he’s a homebody whenever possible.

‘Every free moment that I have, I’m at home,’ he said.

Back in August, Wahlberg purchased a 7,327 square foot two-story townhome in Las Vegas for $14.5 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The townhome is part of The Summit Club, which boasts a golf course and plenty of other luxury homes. The purchase was his second recent on at the wealthy Las Vegas community, as he previously purchased 2.5 acres for $15.6 million in July 2022.

Fresh start: Wahlberg noted that he moved to Nevada in hopes of getting a tax credit that would ease the creation of his proposed film studio, which he called 'Hollywood 2.0'

Fresh start: Wahlberg noted that he moved to Nevada in hopes of getting a tax credit that would ease the creation of his proposed film studio, which he called ‘Hollywood 2.0’

Moving in: In August, Wahlberg purchased a 7,327 square foot two-story townhome in Las Vegas for $14.5 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His former mansion had a stunning 30,500 square feet on a 267,335-square-foot lot

Moving in: In August, Wahlberg purchased a 7,327 square foot two-story townhome in Las Vegas for $14.5 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His former mansion had a stunning 30,500 square feet on a 267,335-square-foot lot

While speaking with Beond TV’s Lights, Camera, Vegas show in August, he was already describing Vegas as his ‘home town.’

‘We want to create a lot of jobs, and a lot of excitement. Hollywood 2.0,’ he said.

The Boogie Nights star previously opened a location for his food chain Wahlburgers in Vegas in 2017. 

It’s not yet known if his enormous Beverly Hills mansion has found a buyer yet, and its enormous size and hefty price tag will likely deter all but the wealthiest and most committed individuals.

Wahlberg’s recently departed LA home is spread out over an eye-catching 30,500 square feet on a 267,335-square-foot lot, with a gate that is located just below the iconic Mulholland Drive.

He was in good company at the location, with plenty of A-list neighbors, including Denzel Washington, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Bieber, Eddie Murphy, Samuel L. Jackson and even Lisa Vanderpump.

Elegant: Guests to the home are greeted in style via a stunning two-story entranceway and a grand foyer with dual staircases and elegant wainscoting on the walls

Elegant: Guests to the home are greeted in style via a stunning two-story entranceway and a grand foyer with dual staircases and elegant wainscoting on the walls

Warm: Much of the home featured elegant marble flooring, but a dark hardwood floor further into the home gave it a more earthy, lived-in feel

Warm: Much of the home featured elegant marble flooring, but a dark hardwood floor further into the home gave it a more earthy, lived-in feel

Guests to the home are greeted in style via a stunning two-story entranceway and a grand foyer with dual staircases and elegant wainscoting on the walls.

Much of the home featured elegant marble flooring, but a dark hardwood floor further into the home gave it a more earthy, lived-in feel.

The mega-mansion’s abundant space made it a summer paradise, as Wahlberg built a grotto with gorgeous pools that would have been right at home in a theme park.

The Happening actor’s youngest son Brendan is an aspiring golfer, and it was easy for the two of them to shoot some holes together, as Wahlberg had a small course constructed on the property, which was complete with rolling hills and sand traps.

Although Wahlberg has been located on the West Coast in recent years, he originally hails from Boston, Massachusetts. 

Famous faces: He was in good company at the location, with plenty of A-list neighbors, including Denzel Washington, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Bieber, Eddie Murphy, Samuel L. Jackson and even Lisa Vanderpump

Famous faces: He was in good company at the location, with plenty of A-list neighbors, including Denzel Washington, Sylvester Stallone, Justin Bieber, Eddie Murphy, Samuel L. Jackson and even Lisa Vanderpump

Perfect spot: The Happening actor's youngest son Brendan is an aspiring golfer, and it was easy for the two of them to shoot some holes together, as Wahlberg had a small course constructed on the property, which was complete with rolling hills and sand traps

Perfect spot: The Happening actor’s youngest son Brendan is an aspiring golfer, and it was easy for the two of them to shoot some holes together, as Wahlberg had a small course constructed on the property, which was complete with rolling hills and sand traps

Caruso, a billionaire former Republican real estate tycoon, made the promise in an interview with The Ankler this week.

He is running against Democrat Karen Bass in the November election on a platform of tackling crime, homelessness and bringing an end to a steady stream of ‘career politicians’ who he says have ruined the city. 

Part of his plan if elected is to create an office within his office that is dedicated to protecting Hollywood. 

‘I’m going to have a separate office within the mayor’s office that’s just going to focus on the entertainment industry. 

‘We have to have the cost of doing business for the entertainment industry, frankly, all businesses, but the entertainment industry to be lower in the city of Los Angeles,’ he said. 

Rick Caruso with Gwyneth Paltrow, one of the many stars to have endorsed him in his campaign to become L.A.'s next mayor

Rick Caruso with Gwyneth Paltrow, one of the many stars to have endorsed him in his campaign to become L.A.’s next mayor 

‘I’m going to work very closely with Hollywood, because this town is Hollywood. 

‘And, instead of shipping the greatest industry we have in this city out of this city, I want to bring it back in this city.’ 

Caruso, 63, also insisted that he is pro-choice despite suggestions  to the contrary from Democrats including Hillary Clinton and Planned Parenthood. 

Caruso said businesses should be rewarded for putting their money into the city, but instead are faced with homelessness – like Netflix, where dozens of homeless people sleep outside. 

‘Look at [Netflix CEO] Ted Sarandos. Here’s a guy who said, “I’m going to make a commitment and have my headquarters actually in Hollywood,” and made a big, incredibly wonderful commitment to the city. And what has the city done?’

‘The city has allowed encampments all around that headquarters.’ 

Caruso said the homeless encampment is deterring Netflix staff from returning to the office. 

‘People are coming to work, and I’ve talked to the executives in there, coming to work carrying human waste on their shoes because there’s so much human waste on the sidewalk, because we’ve allowed people to live in the most inhumane situation.

‘It’s incredible what all of our elected officials have allowed to happen. We’re allowing people to live and die in the streets in their own waste. And then we allow that to happen in front of one of the great companies of Hollywood.’

Caruso was a Republican for years before registering as a Democrat earlier this year, ahead of the mayor’s race. 

Caruso with his wife Tina and daughter Gigi in 2018. He said of his stance on abortion: 'I have always been in pro-choice. I have never been against a woman's right to choose. And I remain pro-choice. I also live with a very strong and smart wife of 37 years and a very strong and smart daughter who's 22.'

Caruso with his wife Tina and daughter Gigi in 2018. He said of his stance on abortion: ‘I have always been in pro-choice. I have never been against a woman’s right to choose. And I remain pro-choice. I also live with a very strong and smart wife of 37 years and a very strong and smart daughter who’s 22.’

He insisted in his interview – and has done throughout his campaign – that party affiliation is irrelevant. 

‘None of these issues are Republican or Democrat issues. None of them are. These are human issues. These are issues that are affecting all of our lives every single day.

‘When crime is spiking, when you’ve got homicides that are at a 15-year high and it’s only getting worse, when you have hate crimes that are up 160 percent, when you have homelessness now at 44,000 and people dying in the streets, these are life and death issues that transcend any kind of party. 

‘And, I don’t look at this as party politics from that standpoint. We’ve got just serious problems,’ he said. 

He added that Hollywood heavyweights including mega-agent Bryan Lourd, Disney’s Dana Walden and Netflix’s Sarandos are ‘upset’ with the state of the city. 

‘People are tired. They’re upset. They feel unheard. Many are scared and worried about the future of this city. And people are looking for somebody to come in and be able to fix the problems. And they believe, and I’m sure you’ve asked them, they believe very, very strongly that I can fix the problems. 

source: dailymail.co.uk