T
he California wildfires are forcing some residents to flee, and New York City is becoming a popular destination. Ilian Rebei, an art gallery owner in Hollywood Hills, quickly relocated his 35 paintings and 15 drawings to the Upper East Side after flames erupted near his gallery. "For me, the moment was now," he said.

    Rebei's decision is part of a growing exodus from California as wildfires destroy homes and displace tens of thousands of residents. Real estate agents in New York are reporting a surge in calls from West Coast clients seeking housing. Some Angelenos are ditching LA entirely, citing risks and costs that no longer make sense.

    Hunter Biden's art collection, valued at millions of dollars, was lost in the wildfires. The collection was stored near his Hollywood attorney's Pacific Palisades residence. Many Californians are reevaluating their decision to live in the state, with some saying it's "not worth having a house in California anymore."

    Real estate broker Ryan Serhant has been flooded with inquiries from Los Angeles brokers whose clients are seeking rental properties on the East Coast. As the destruction becomes clearer, many of these clients are shifting their focus from renting to purchasing homes. "People have said this is the final straw for the state," Serhant said.

    The wildfires are also affecting the entertainment industry, with TV writer Alex O'Keefe citing worsening struggles and mounting risks as reasons for his permanent move to New York. Meanwhile, some Californians are still holding on, hoping to rebuild and monitor the situation before making a decision about their future.