If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably seen the headlines: Ellen DeGeneres has left the building. Or, more accurately, she’s left the country. People are asking "did Ellen DeGeneres move?" because it felt like it happened overnight. One minute she’s doing a final stand-up special on Netflix, and the next, she’s posting videos of sheep in a rainy backyard.
Honestly, it wasn't just a rumor. She really did go.
In November 2024, Ellen and her wife, Portia de Rossi, packed up their lives in Montecito and headed across the Atlantic. They didn't just go for a long vacation or a temporary escape from the paparazzi. They moved to the Cotswolds, a famously posh, hilly region in the English countryside. It’s the kind of place where you’re more likely to run into a Duke or David Beckham than a Hollywood producer.
But the "why" is where things get interesting. It wasn't just about finding a quiet place to retire. It was a mix of political fatigue, real estate obsession, and a genuine need to get away from the "toxic" label that followed her after her talk show ended.
The Real Reason Ellen DeGeneres Moved to England
Let’s be real. Moving to a different continent is a lot of work. You don't just do it because you're bored. Ellen has been pretty open about her reasoning, and it basically comes down to a "vibe shift" in the United States.
She confirmed to the BBC in July 2025 that the 2024 presidential election was the final straw. Ellen and Portia actually arrived in England the day before the election. When they woke up to the news that Donald Trump had won a second term, they looked at each other and decided they weren't going back. Ellen described getting texts with "crying emojis" from her friends and realizing she just didn't want to be in that environment anymore.
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"We’re staying here," she told broadcaster Richard Bacon.
It wasn't just politics, though. After nineteen seasons of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, her exit was... messy. The allegations of a toxic workplace and her being "the meanest person in Hollywood" clearly left a mark. In her final comedy special, For Your Approval, she joked about being "kicked out of show business," but you could tell there was real hurt there. Moving to a small village where the neighbors reportedly "don't bother her" provided a fresh start that California just couldn't offer.
From Montecito Mansions to Cotswold Farmhouses
If there is one thing Ellen is known for besides dancing, it's flipping houses. The woman buys real estate like most people buy groceries. Even when she moved to England, she couldn't stop.
The couple first bought a historic stone farmhouse called Kitesbridge Farm for about $20 million. It was a classic "Ellen project." They brought in an army of 70 workers and finished a massive renovation in about ten weeks. Most people take two years to redo a kitchen; she redid an entire estate in a couple of months.
But here’s the kicker: they lived there for basically a month.
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They realized it wasn't quite right for Portia’s horses. Portia is an avid equestrian, and she needed more space. So, they listed that "dream home" for $30 million and moved again. This time, they settled into a more modern, glass-walled farmhouse nearby. This new spot has the Japanese-style courtyard Ellen loves and, more importantly, enough pasture for the horses they flew over from the States.
Is She Coming Back? The $27 Million Question
Just when everyone thought she was gone for good, Ellen did something very "Ellen."
In late 2025, she reportedly bought a $27.4 million mansion back in Montecito. This was an off-market deal from producer Brian Grazer. Naturally, the internet went into a frenzy. Everyone started asking if the British weather had finally broken her.
British winters are famously gray, wet, and miserable. Even Ellen admitted that moving in November "was not the ideal time." Rumors started swirling that she missed the California sun and was planning a permanent return.
However, her inner circle says not so fast.
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Ellen has always treated property as an investment. Buying a home in Montecito doesn't necessarily mean she's moving back full-time; it might just be another flip or a "crash pad" for when she visits. As of early 2026, she is still very much living her "country life" in the UK, complete with chickens, dogs, and those elusive sheep.
What Life Looks Like for Ellen Now
She’s 67 now. Life looks a lot different than it did under those studio lights in Burbank.
- Privacy: In the Cotswolds, people are polite but mostly leave her alone. She’s been spotted at The Farmer’s Dog, a pub owned by Jeremy Clarkson.
- The Animals: Her Instagram is now a revolving door of animal content. Whether it's her new puppy, Sport, or Portia riding through the village, the focus is clearly on the homestead.
- The Pace: It’s slower. She talks about how "everything here is just better"—the way people treat each other, the manners, the simplicity.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story
If you’re trying to keep up with whether she’s staying or going, here is what you should watch for:
- The Kitesbridge Sale: Keep an eye on the listing for her first UK farmhouse. If it sells quickly, she might use that capital for more US investments.
- Social Media Backgrounds: Ellen often gives "unintentional" house tours on Instagram. Watch the windows. If you see rolling green hills and gray skies, she’s in England. If you see high hedges and oak trees, she’s likely back in Montecito.
- Local UK News: The Cotswold locals are protective of their peace. Any news regarding planning permissions or "neighbor disputes" (which she’s already had a few of) usually signals how settled she really is.
The move wasn't just a physical change of address; it was a total rebranding of her life. Whether it lasts forever or she eventually retreats to the Santa Barbara hills remains to be seen, but for now, Ellen DeGeneres has definitely moved.
To stay updated on the latest celebrity real estate moves and lifestyle shifts, you can follow major property registries in both Santa Barbara County and the UK’s Land Registry. These official records often break the news of a move long before the publicists do. You can also monitor the "For Sale" listings at Sotheby’s International Realty, which has handled several of her high-profile transactions recently. Regardless of where she lands, the era of the daytime talk show queen is over, replaced by a much quieter life in the English mud.