If you’ve ever watched Outer Banks, you probably think of Chase Stokes as the ultimate North Carolina beach bum. John B. is practically part of the marsh. But in the real world, pinpointing exactly where Chase Stokes lives is actually a lot more complicated than checking a surfboard rack in Kildare County.
The man is a nomad. Honestly, if you look at his schedule over the last year, he spends more time in Delta Sky Priority lounges than in a living room. But everyone needs a home base. For a long time, that was Charleston, South Carolina, and more recently, a shared life in Los Angeles. However, as we head into 2026, the landscape of his personal life has shifted significantly, leaving fans wondering where he actually collects his mail.
The Charleston Connection: A Second Home
For the better part of five years, Charleston was the center of the Chase Stokes universe. It’s where Outer Banks is filmed (ironically, not in the actual Outer Banks of North Carolina).
During the early days of the show, the cast famously lived together in the same apartment complex to save money and bond. Chase has often spoken about those "broke" days, once famously admitting he had about $36 to his name and was living out of his car—a beat-up 1997 Dodge Ram—before he landed the role of John B.
He didn't just work in Charleston; he became part of the local fabric. You could often find him grabbing a bite at Chubby Fish or hanging out at Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oysters. Even as the show wrapped production on its fifth and final season in late 2025, Chase remained active in the community. Just recently, in January 2026, he was back in the Lowcountry working with Zenni Optical to provide vision screenings for local high schoolers.
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Charleston is clearly his "soul home," but it isn't necessarily his permanent residence anymore.
The Move to Los Angeles and the Kelsea Ballerini Era
For about two years, the answer to "where does Chase Stokes live" was definitively Los Angeles.
In late 2024, Chase and country superstar Kelsea Ballerini officially moved in together in California. It made sense at the time. Kelsea was filming The Voice at Universal City, and Chase had big-budget film projects like Uglies and Valiant One pulling him toward the West Coast. They were the ultimate "it" couple, splitting their time between a rental in LA and Kelsea’s home in Nashville.
However, things changed. Reports surfaced in late 2025 that the couple had called it quits after nearly three years of dating.
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Life After the Split
When a high-profile couple breaks up, the "house" situation is usually the first thing to get messy. Since Chase didn't actually own the LA property with Kelsea, he reportedly moved out shortly after the split.
Currently, Chase is back to a bi-coastal lifestyle. He keeps a place in Los Angeles because, well, that’s where the scripts are. But he doesn't seem to be a "Hollywood" guy at heart. He’s much more comfortable in a hoodie in a quiet coastal town than at a red-carpet party on Sunset Blvd.
Why He Doesn't Own a Massive Mansion (Yet)
You might expect a Netflix lead to own a $10 million estate with a moat. But Chase is surprisingly grounded about real estate.
- Financial Trauma: After being homeless and living in his car, he's been very vocal about being smart with his money.
- Constant Travel: Between filming in Barbados, Croatia, and South Carolina, he’s rarely in one spot for more than three months.
- The Nashville Mentality: Even when he lived in LA, he told People magazine that he tried to keep a "Nashville mentality"—staying simple, small, and private.
Mapping the Stokes Trail: Where he grew up
To understand why he moves around so much, you have to look at his roots. He wasn't born a California golden boy.
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- Annapolis, Maryland: His birthplace.
- Atlanta, Georgia: Spent part of his childhood here after his parents divorced.
- Orlando, Florida: This is where he went to high school (Timber Creek) and college.
He’s a true East Coast native. That’s probably why the humidity and salt air of South Carolina feel more like home to him than the dry heat of Southern California.
The 2026 Reality
As of right now, Chase Stokes is essentially a resident of the world, but his primary "stuff" is located in Los Angeles. With Outer Banks officially wrapping up, he’s in a transitional phase. He’s no longer tied to Charleston for six months of the year for filming, which gives him the freedom to finally pick a permanent spot.
There have been whispers among the fandom that he’s looking to buy property in the Northeast, closer to his family in Maryland, but nothing has been confirmed. For now, he remains the king of the "semi-permanent" rental.
If you’re looking to keep up with his whereabouts, the best way isn't through real estate records—it's through his community work. Whether he’s in South Carolina helping kids see better or in LA prepping for a new role, he stays mobile.
To stay updated on Chase's upcoming projects and potential new home base, keep an eye on his official social media channels, as he often shares glimpses of his "off-the-grid" downtime. If you're planning a trip to Charleston to see the OBX vibes for yourself, check out local spots like King Street, where the cast was known to frequent during their years as residents.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check out the Zenni x Chase Stokes collection if you want to support his latest philanthropic efforts in Charleston.
- If you're visiting South Carolina, visit Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant; it’s the real-life backdrop for many of the show’s "home" scenes.