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25 Celebrities Who Prefer to Lead a Quiet Life Away From it All

MJ Staff - JA December 4, 2022

An existence of tranquility and seclusion may appear appealing to only a select few, but surprisingly, even those who are wealthy and renowned yearn for a more uncomplicated lifestyle. With access to practically anything their hearts desire, why wouldn’t they spend their money on mansions and penthouses right in the big city? It’s hard for most of us to consider why celebrities would choose this remote way of life. In today’s world, certain celebrities are opting to distance themselves from the bustling city life, whether it’s to evade the constant scrutiny of paparazzi and embrace personal privacy or simply to embrace a more relaxed and unhurried way of living, away from the allure and extravagance associated with metropolitan areas.

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Adele Loves Her Modest Diggs

While we might anticipate superstars like Adele to revel in the vibrant atmosphere of a metropolis, she defies expectations by embodying a remarkably grounded persona. Despite her fame, Adele possesses an inherently down-to-earth nature that sets her apart. She prefers the quiet of the London suburbs she calls home. In order to lead a regular life with her son Angelo, the renowned singer deliberately selected a modest and secluded residence, prioritizing privacy and a sense of normalcy.

The songstress has said: “I want to have a real life so I can write records. No one wants to listen to a record from someone that’s lost touch with reality.”

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Robert Redford

Robert Redford is Hollywood royalty. Given the celebrated actor’s deep appreciation for nature, his inclination to avoid the bustling city life is entirely logical. As an individual deeply invested in environmental causes, he seeks solace away from the urban landscape, aligning his choices with his passion for preserving and cherishing the natural world. Robert enjoys living near the wildlands and has said:

“I love the extraordinary lands, and I have spent decades exploring them. I am still amazed by the beauty of their serpentine canyons and alcoves filled with stone houses built by the ancestors of today’s Pueblo people.”

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Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock was once one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, and her blockbuster hits include movies like Miss Congeniality, Gravity, and Speed. In spite of her fame and accomplishments, she consistently veers away from the glare of the spotlight, prioritizing the safeguarding of her personal life.

Driven by a strong desire to shield her children, Sandra consciously spends the majority of her time in New Orleans, a city where she has owned a residence since 2009.

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John Travolta

He is most well-known for his phenomenal roles in incredibly successful films, including Pulp Fiction, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, Hairspray, and From Paris with Love, John Travolta is one of the most recognizable actors in the world. The reasons behind this star’s decision to reside in Florida remain somewhat mysterious. However, as an avid aviator and professional pilot, Travolta seeks solace from his acting career by devoting his leisure time to flying.

Consequently, his Florida home is equipped with its own airport featuring two fully functional runways, allowing him the freedom to pursue his passion for aviation.

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Daniel Day Lewis Prefers the Irish Countryside

Why would Day-Lewis choose to reside in the tranquil Irish countryside of Wicklow, despite being widely regarded as the greatest actor in recent history? Wicklow is known as the garden of Ireland, and he has fond childhood memories of vacationing there.

Now that he has retired from acting and desires a peaceful lifestyle, residing in the serene Irish countryside of Wicklow seems like the ideal permanent choice for him to quietly pursue his interests. He has said about it, “this is the place that sustains me. It is a refuge where I renew myself.”

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Julia Roberts

While Julia Roberts is adored as America’s sweetheart, there are numerous aspects of the A-lister’s life that remain shrouded in mystery. Like any caring mother, she shields her children and husband from the relentless paparazzi that constantly trails her.

Having a very lucrative career as an actress in films like Pretty Woman, you might be shocked to learn Roberts doesn’t live in the heart of Tinseltown. Instead, she chooses to live a more reclusive life in Taos, New Mexico.

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John Mayer

While most musicians would gravitate towards big bustling cities as their preferred abode, John Mayer defied convention. In 2012, he made a deliberate choice to withdraw from the limelight and seek solace in a Montana ranch nestled along the tranquil Yellowstone River.

He did initially own property in New York and Los Angeles, but he wanted some peace, which he couldn’t find in a major city, so he opted to buy a home in Montana, citing wildlife, open spaces, and farms as his reasons why.

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Matthew McConaughey

Embracing his Southern roots, another prominent leading man in Hollywood has made the decision to bid farewell to his stunning residence in Malibu and return to the cherished comforts of his Southern origins. He now raises his children in his home state of Texas.

Matthew is committed to Austin and bought a gorgeous, 10,800 square-foot Spanish-Mediterranean style mansion there, “Austin is a great place, with the best food and music,” he says. Constructed in 1997, this home holds a special significance as it resides just a short distance away from the beloved abode of his mother.

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George Clooney Doesn’t Need that Hollywood Lifestyle

Despite his immense fame, it is truly astounding to witness how far George Clooney chooses to distance himself from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. But just how far exactly does he prefer to be? Try in this beautiful villa in the quiet village of Lake Como, Italy. It has become one of the world’s most glamorous getaway destinations.

Since 2002, George Clooney’s residence, a magnificent eighteenth-century mansion built in the art nouveau style, has been his cherished abode. Although it may not be located anywhere near California, it boasts an array of enticing features, including an impressive 30 rooms and a truly awe-inspiring view.

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Demi Moore

Similar to her former husband, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore holds a deep affection for the town of Hailey, Idaho. In fact, her fondness for the place was so profound that after their split, she decided to acquire a residence there, ensuring she could continue to visit and embrace the town she adored.

The actress’s Idaho getaway was right across the street from her ex-husband, Bruce Willis, before he sold it. After years of facing scrutiny from the press, it comes as no surprise that Demi wants a more peaceful home life.

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Meryl Streep

Despite amassing an impressive number of Oscar nominations, the renowned actress Meryl Streep has managed to maintain a relatively low profile, partly owing to a small town in Connecticut that she proudly calls home. Meryl Streep and her husband, sculptor Don Gummer, paid a modest $1.8 million for their estate in Salisbury that includes a 47-acre lake and a small sheep farm in 1985.

Even as her Hollywood career soared to new heights, Meryl Streep and her partner remained firmly rooted in their cherished town, steadfastly maintaining their connection to the place they called home.

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Shania Twain

Despite achieving tremendous success as a pop-country sensation in the 1990s, Shania Twain remained unfazed by fame and fortune. When the time came to choose a place to call home, she opted for the serene southern Swiss Riviera town of La Tour-de-Peliz, showing her preference for a tranquil and picturesque setting over the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry.

Twain did all of this along with her Swiss husband, Frédéric Thiébaud. Shania Twain is a long-time resident of Corseaux, Switzerland, where her son was born. Their chateau house had been home to many important people in different industries.

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Bruce Willis Likes to Keep it Low Key

Contrary to what one might assume about an action star known for films like Die Hard, Bruce Willis actually has a preference for a more relaxed and laid-back lifestyle. He used to frequently spend time at his lakefront ranch in Hailey, Idaho, immersing himself in the serene surroundings. However, he recently made the decision to sell the property.

Willis fully renovated the far-from-modest, 8,400-square-foot home in 2003, and it currently has six bedrooms, a guest house, and a gym. Bruce also added several streams and ponds to the property.

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Tina Turner

Given her status as one of the most celebrated singers in music history, renowned for her captivating and powerful voice, Tina Turner could have chosen any opulent mansion she desired. Yet, she shocked everyone when she decided to up and leave the States to head to a home on Lake Zurich in Switzerland. Her property on Lake Zurich has been one of her homes since the mid-1980s.

Having traveled the world on extensive tours, Tina Turner has firmly decided to never reside anywhere else, relishing in the joy of being a “private person.” She now finds solace in embracing a more secluded lifestyle.

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Woody Harrelson

It’s not surprising in the least that this unconventional environmentalist has chosen Maui, the breathtaking Hawaiian paradise, as his current home. He enjoys the seclusion of this island, along with his wife and three daughters. His residence is nestled near the charming town of Paia, and Woody Harrelson openly acknowledges his off-the-grid lifestyle.

What better place to embrace a way of life that encompasses vegetarianism, yoga, and a profound reverence for the unspoiled beauty of nature?

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Johnny Depp

Depp has consistently displayed a fondness for acquiring diverse properties across the globe. Seeking respite from the bustling atmosphere of Hollywood and longing for tranquility, he frequently withdraws to one of his residences located in Kentucky. This particular abode boasts three barns, fifteen stalls, and ten meticulously maintained paddocks equipped with electric watering systems. He may also choose to retreat to his quirky, village-like compound in the south of France.

Depp also owned a three-island property in the Bahamas; it’s known as “Little Halls Pond Cay,” and it has six different beaches, but he has since sold it.

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Michael Keaton Cannot Get Enough of Montana

Michael Keaton, the delightfully eccentric and imaginative actor, effortlessly transitions between an array of film genres, encompassing comedy, drama, thriller, and action. With his natural Hollywood talent, we’d think Keaton would need to stay as close to Los Angeles as possible.

But during his downtime away from the spotlight, he prefers to retreat to his tranquil hillside ranch in Montana, a serene haven he acquired back in the 1980s. He enjoys outdoor activities, like fishing and hiking.

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Oprah Winfrey

Being undeniably one of the most renowned and instantly recognizable figures in the entertainment industry, Oprah occasionally craves a respite from the limelight. While she owns numerous properties, the media mogul can truly unplug on the remote Orcas Island in Washington. In her possession lies a remarkable “hideaway mansion,” adorned with a half-mile stretch of secluded shoreline and a plethora of other lavish amenities befitting the generous philanthropist.

Finished internally with rare reclaimed woods, hand-forged ironwork, and wooden floorboards, Oprah enjoys gardening in her backyard.

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Dave Chapelle

While jests about life in Ohio have remained a central theme in Dave Chappelle’s comedic repertoire, it is, in fact, the very place he affectionately refers to as home—a quaint town named Yellow Springs. Unlike a lot of celebs who detest the public, the 45-year-old is actually very active in his community, throwing some parties at home and partaking in local politics.

Prior to discovering the sought-after balance of residing with his family on the idyllic farmland property, Dave Chappelle underwent a complete withdrawal from the public eye, seeking solace and introspection in the serene landscapes of South Africa.

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Bill Murray

Although Charleston may not be a small town, it remains an intriguing addition to the roster of atypical celebrity abodes, even for a name as illustrious as Bill Murray, in the beautiful state of South Carolina. And he’s not just there for a place to hide out – Bill is living like a local, albeit a wealthy one. He even co-owns Harold’s Cabin, a food favorite in town, and a minor league local baseball team.

The majority of locals in Charleston have remarkable accounts of frequently encountering and even engaging with him on a regular basis.

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Taylor Swift and Her Beachfront View

Following a string of famously star-studded July 4th parties, the quaint town housing Taylor Swift’s rather sizable abode—a magnificent mansion situated directly on the beach, acquired for a mere $17 million—has earned a prominent place on the mental maps of many individuals.

Many young people have actually made it their vacation destination in the hopes of catching her at one of her local favorite hangout spots like the Olympia Tea Room and The Cooked Goose. The local community holds a profound affection for her presence in their midst!

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John Mayer

Since his early 2010s era, marked by tabloid headlines featuring his relationships and late-night escapades, John Mayer has not only shifted his residence but has also undergone a significant transformation in his way of life. He had to win the locals over when he first moved to town, but it seems his move to Paradise Valley really has been a paradise for him. Mayer and those close to him say his life is now noticeably free of stress and panic attacks, and great for his musical calling.

Expressing his sentiments to Men’s Journal, the singer shared, “I’ve never experienced a panic attack while gazing out at a mountain.”

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Tom Hanks

While Tom Hanks undoubtedly stands as an unparalleled actor, his decision to reside in Sun Valley is not an entirely unique choice, as the region is known to accommodate numerous billionaires within its boundaries. Its most successful real estate broker, Suzanne Williams, has described the residents of the area as “someone that’s low-key and doesn’t require a lot of attention.

They’re successful, but they don’t need to be seen.” However, Tom’s pursuit of a rural paradise didn’t quite materialize as expected. In recent years, his supposed dream home has been plagued by a series of issues and legal disputes.

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David Letterman

After hosting a beloved late-night talk show for nearly three decades and residing in New York City for a considerable period of time, the legendary comedian David Letterman eagerly sought an escape from it all upon his retirement. When he first went to Montana, he was surprised by the expanse and quietness of it.

He purchased the 2700-acre “Deep Creek Ranch” 35 miles west of Choteau in 1999. Montana appears to be a favored destination among celebrities, as Letterman secures his position as the third notable star on our list to call the state home.

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Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Keep Things Simple in Upstate New York

In their 1.8-acre Pound Ridge, New York property, situated just an hour outside of Manhattan, Hollywood power couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively enjoy the best of both worlds. When they’re not visiting the Big Apple or teasing each other on social media, Lively is baking an apple pie in her country estate kitchen, and she even gets pointers from their famous neighbor and friend Martha Stewart.

The lifestyle guru played a pivotal role in assisting the actors with their wedding arrangements.

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Jeff Daniels

Jeff Daniels comes off as a typical, down-to-earth guy who happens to be a famous actor. Jeff made his breakthrough in the early 1980s with his notable role in “Terms of Endearment.” However, when he and his wife, Kathleen, relocated to their hometown of Chelsea, Michigan, they were not seeking to evade fame and its trappings.

“After ten years of living in New York,” he said, “why don’t we just go back home and live there because my career is going to end.” That didn’t happen, but he still chooses to live there, preferring the quiet life.

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Eminem

Eminem became an instant household name when he shook up the hip-hop world with the release of his debut album in 1997. Even though he was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, he grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and this is where his career started.

Given the immense success Eminem achieved, it was only logical for the rapper to desire staying close to his home state. Yet, no one expected him to choose to live in the small, albeit nicer town of Rochester.

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Jennifer Lawrence

While she may own a residence in Hollywood, the accomplished actress known for her roles in The Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook is frequently spotted in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Whether standing on the Kentucky Derby’s orange carpet, or spending time with her parents and old friends from high school, Lawrence proves you can stay the “girl next door.”

Despite having lived and worked in numerous locations throughout her meteoric ascent to stardom, she emphatically declares that the Derby City is the sole place she will forever associate as her true home.

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25 Celebrities Who Prefer to Lead a Quiet Life Away From it All

Adele Loves Her Modest Diggs

Robert Redford

Sandra Bullock

John Travolta

Daniel Day Lewis Prefers the Irish Countryside

Julia Roberts

John Mayer

Matthew McConaughey

George Clooney Doesn’t Need that Hollywood Lifestyle

Demi Moore

Meryl Streep

Shania Twain

Bruce Willis Likes to Keep it Low Key

Tina Turner

Woody Harrelson

Johnny Depp

Michael Keaton Cannot Get Enough of Montana

Oprah Winfrey

Dave Chapelle

Bill Murray

Taylor Swift and Her Beachfront View

John Mayer

Tom Hanks

David Letterman

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively Keep Things Simple in Upstate New York

Jeff Daniels

Eminem

Jennifer Lawrence

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