Families Displaced by Altadena Fires Relocate Nationwide and Internationally

A year after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, several families who lost their homes or were impacted by the disaster have relocated, with some moving across the country or internationally. These decisions were often influenced by financial considerations and the challenges of rebuilding lives in a high-cost area. Jennifer Cacicio, a television writer, and her family moved nearly 3,000 miles from Altadena to Cold Spring, New York, after their home was destroyed. Cacicio stated that starting anew elsewhere felt more manageable than reconstructing their lives in Altadena, citing the high cost of living in Los Angeles. She noted that multiple Altadena families have moved to the Hudson Valley area of New York. The Sporck family, originally from the Netherlands, had lived in Altadena for over seven years. Their home was spared, but the surrounding area and their son's daycare were affected. Concerns about the pace of Altadena's recovery and the prospect of raising young children in the aftermath led them to return to the Netherlands. They cited increased family support and a stronger social safety net, including lower-cost childcare, as contributing factors. Joep Sporck, a film composer, could work remotely, facilitating the move to Epen, a village in the southern Netherlands. Carson Dougherty, a spiritual coach, and Chris Gower, who works in tech sales, along with their daughters, left their Altadena rental after it was coated in soot from the fire. They terminated their lease due to concerns about their children's health and the absence of a clear remediation plan. They subsequently moved to Asheville, North Carolina, after researching areas with suitable schools and property taxes, seeking a community with an artistic atmosphere. They acknowledged the adjustment process and the strong attachment they felt to their former Altadena home. The displaced families often sought locations offering a balance of natural beauty, community, and more favorable financial conditions for raising children, away from the direct impact and recovery challenges of the Altadena fires.