Elon Musk is one of the world’s most influential and renowned entrepreneurs, having founded or co-founded companies such as Tesla, SpaceX and PayPal. As an ever-growing public figure, it is no surprise that people are curious to discover where exactly the tech entrepreneur lives. Elon is currently reported to live in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, after previously living in Palo Alto, California. This area has been home to many famous celebrities, and it appears that Musk is among them.
Musk’s primary residence is a thirty thousand square foot estate that he purchased for over $24 million. The two-story home has seven bedrooms, a pool and a 1,000-square-foot children’s play area. Although many are fascinated by the details of Musk’s home, the more compelling aspect of where Elon lives is what happens around his house. Musk’s house is situated in a private enclave in the Bel Air community, which is nestled within the hills of Los Angeles’s most affluent areas.
Community members near Musk’s house are no strangers to visits and sightings of the tech mogul. Neighbors often observe the work Musk has done to the house and report that he was seen on multiple occasions working with workers, planting trees, tinkering on his home’s exterior, and even walking with his beloved dogs. With high security, it’s no surprise that celebrities feel safe living in Musk’s neighborhood.
Besides being in close proximity to the rich and famous of Los Angeles, Bel Air offers Musk a few perks of living, such as an abundance of luxury stores and restaurants. Many draw comparisons between Musk and Disney CEO Bob Iger, who also lives within the same area. The area also conveniently sits within close proximity to many of Elon Musk’s tech companies.
Interestingly, many don’t know that Musk actually owns two side-by-side estates in Bel Air. The second estate, which was purchased shortly after the first one, serves as the main residence while the other is primarily used to host parties. Consequently, it is not uncommon to see Elon’s Hollywood friends come to visit and hang out at the lavish property. Some of the names that have been reported to visit the estate include actors and actresses like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Cameron Diaz and Will Smith.
Although Musk’s primary residence is in Bel Air, his life is often times quite hectic. For someone that is an integral part to companies of the size of Tesla and SpaceX, the entrepreneur is often on the move visiting other places and speaking engagements. Although Musk has a multitude of homes in places like California, Tokyo, and Texas, the Los Angeles-based Bel Air estate certainly maintains a lasting impact on the mind of anyone who takes the time to consider where the tech mogul sleeps.
Why Bel Air?
Elon’s choice of living in Bel Air is not purely based on opportunity and convenience. There is a certain elements of lifestyle associated with Bel Air. Firstly, the neighbourhood was built around the Bel Air Country Club, which was founded by petroleum executive Alphonzo E. Bell in 1926. This club boasts a plethora of luxurious amenities such as golf courses, gyms, pools, croquet and fishing, which makes it an ideal location for Musk.
Additionally, Musk has assisted in introducing an additional level of “isolation” to Bel Air. The neighbourhood is known for its 24-hour security guards and exclusive entry points, which give many of its wealthy inhabitants the assurance of privacy and heightened security.
It appears that some people have had trouble fitting into the Bel Air lifestyle. One couple, who moved to Bel Air in 2018, was quick to regret their decision. They received a slew of emails from their neighbours complaining about the noise they made while walking their dog and the children bouncing balls in their patio. The complaints, along with the show of elitism the couple experienced from their neighbours, made them want to move out of the “exclusive” neighbourhood.
Despite the events described above, many believe that Elon Musk fits into the exclusive culture of Bel Air perfectly. After all, with a net worth of over $92 billion, Musk is one of the wealthiest people in the world and has chosen to call Bel Air home since 2016.
The Impact of Living in Bel Air
As mentioned earlier, Bel Air offers Musk the convenience of living near his various businesses while providing luxury amenities. However, the tangible benefits that come with living in Bel Air are only one aspect of Musk’s supposed contentment with his decision. Moreover, Musk has discussed that living in Bel Air has helped him develop better mental clarity, providing him with emotional peace.
Moreover, Musk has stated that living in the affluent neighbourhood is helping him “slow down and sort of figure out what’s important”. Furthermore, Musk has claimed that the attention he receives has no effect on him, and that Bel Air is an environment that allows him to put personal and professional matters in perspective.
However, Musk’s most obvious and positive gain from living in the affluent neighbourhood is his increased control of security. As aforementioned, Bel Air employs a fleet of 24-hour security personnel and strategically placed entry points, which both aid Musk in his precaution against potential threats.
In sum, living in Bel Air is an asset for Elon Musk for many reasons. From its elite enclave bolstering security, to the fact that he can visit his nearby organisations without disruption, not to mention the convenience of high-end lifestyle stores and restaurants, Bel Air provides Musk a sense of security, focus, and privacy that many would consider rewarding.
The Notable Neighbours of Bel Air
As the location of one of the most affluent populations in the world, Bel Air is often considered an “elite” neighbourhood – one where notable and influential people live.
Notably, Bel Air neighbours two of Musk’s tech companies – SpaceX and Tesla. Luckily for Musk, his home remains within walking distance of each, thus providing him easy access to both whenever needed.
Additionally, although Elon might sometimes be surrounded by his business associates, celebrity sightings are not uncommon. Other notable inhabitants of Bel Air who sometimes frequent Musk’s neighbourhood include tech guru and former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, basketball star Kobe Bryant, and television and film producer Ryan Murphy.
Beyond the tech world, Bel Air is also home to many “old money” proprietors such as oil tycoon John Paul Getty and business magnate J. Paul Getty. Thus, it’s no wonder why many of these people, including Elon Musk, choose to reside in the area.
Why Elon Musk loves Living in Bel Air
An important factor that may play into Elon Musk’s decision to remain in Bel Air is his family. Musk is happily married to model and entrepreneur Talulah Riley, with whom he shares five children. Musk’s children attend the exclusive private school in the area, making it possible for both parents to easily check up on the children’s progress.
Furthermore, Musk has mentioned in multiple interviews that living in Bel Air is a good “escape” from the hustle and bustle of his life in the tech world. This allows him to relax and recharge in the cozy environment afforded by the Bel Air community.
In addition to family and relaxation, Musk appreciates the many opportunities available to him in the Bel Air neighbourhood. In addition to having a comfortable home, Musk is able to passionately pursue his various entrepreneurial ventures while living in the affluent and prestigious neighbourhood.
Elon Musk’s life is undoubtedly quite hectic, with multiple large-scale projects, tech companies and investments in his name. It is no surprise that he enjoys living in a place where he can relax, reflect, and focus on his business ventures, all while leading a luxurious lifestyle.
Neighbours’ Perspective on Musk
With such a luxurious lifestyle, it is no surprise that many of Elon’s neighbours have positive attitudes towards the tech mogul. Since 2016, Musk has continuously been praised by his neighbours for his great neighbourly manners. Musk is known to frequently help his neighbours with various tasks and he’s often seen helping to clean up debris after storms.
In addition to this, Musk has been recognised by members of his neighbourhood for being a “great spender”, often treating them to gifts during the festive season. Furthermore, it is often Musk’s visitors who cause most of the noise that the residents of the community are not always pleased with.
In sum, Elon Musk’s neighbours are generally content with himliving in the community, as they view him as a respectful, generous, and gentlemanly neighbour.
Musk’s Investments in Bel Air
Musk’s Bel Air estate is not the most ostentatious mansion in the neighbourhood. In fact, there are a handful of homes that far exceed the size and grandeur of Musk’s estate. Despite this, Musk has been spending large sums of money over the last few years updating and improving his home.
Since purchasing the two properties, Musk has spent around $30 million in renovations and upgrades. As mentioned, the garden and landscaping often cover much of Musk’s time and money, but other expensive updating projects have been commissioned inside the house.
In one of these projects, Musk installed a new theatre room, which features a 75 inch screen, lounging chairs and a popcorn machine. Other upgrades include a wine cellar and an upgraded spa area. In short, it is clear that Elon spends a great amount of money and time curating the perfect Bel Air home.
Conclusion
Although many of us don’t get a chance to observe the life of Elon Musk, it is clear that the tech mogul is relishing his life in Bel Air. A perfect combination of class, privacy, luxury and opportunity, Bel Air seems to offer Musk everything he needs to thrive and enjoy a peaceful life in the midst of his active business ventures. Many living in the surrounding area are satisfied with Musk’s presence in their upscale neighbourhood and it appears that they have not had many complaints. Consequently, it is safe to say that Musk’s Bel Air estate is and will remain an important asset to the already wealthy area.
