Okay, let’s be honest. You’re here because you’ve binged Stranger Things one too many times. Or maybe you just saw Gaten Matarazzo’s infectious smile on your feed. And now your brain has one burning question: where does this guy actually live?

It’s a fair question. We all want to know if Dustin Henderson is hanging out in a Hawkins-like town. Spoiler: he’s not, thank goodness. The Demogorgons would be a nightmare for his mail delivery.

So, grab your coffee. Let’s get into the real estate of a beloved 80s-loving, lisp-having icon. I promise no Upside Down geography lessons here.

The short answer? Gaten Matarazzo lives in Los Angeles, California. Yes, the land of kale smoothies and traffic jams that feel like an eternity in the Void.

He made the move out West a few years ago. It’s the classic Hollywood story: kid gets famous, kid needs to be near the studios, kid says goodbye to the East Coast pizza. It’s a tale as old as time, or at least as old as Netflix.

But hold on. Is he a native Californian? Not even close. Gaten was born and raised in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. That’s right—he’s a true Jersey boy, through and through.

Picture it: boardwalks, saltwater taffy, and arguing about the best diner. That’s the world he grew up in. It’s a long way from the Hollywood Hills, huh?

You can hear that Jersey accent peek through sometimes. It’s subtle, but it’s there, hiding behind Dustin’s signature squint. He hasn’t lost it completely, and honestly, I respect that.

So why leave the Garden State? Work, baby. Pure, unadulterated showbiz work. When you’re starring in the biggest show on the planet, you need to be where the auditions are.

Gaten Matarazzo in 2025: Stranger Things Finale, Love Life, andGaten Matarazzo in 2025: Stranger Things Finale, Love Life, and

Turning Hawkins into Hollywood

His move to LA wasn’t a dramatic escape. No wild stories about a haunted house or a bad slice of pizza. It was just a practical decision for a young actor on the rise.

He bought a house there. A real, actual house. I imagine it’s filled with vintage arcade games and a very confused cat. But that’s just my fantasy, don’t fact-check me.

Living in LA means he’s close to his Stranger Things family. Millie, Finn, Noah—they’re all within a 20-minute drive (traffic permitting, which is never). That’s the modern-day version of the Party’s basement hangouts.

But here’s the twist: he doesn’t only live in LA. He still owns property back in Jersey. He’s a bi-coastal king! He’s living the dream of having a snow-free driveway and beach access at the same time.

I’m pretty sure he spends holidays back East. Christmas with the family? That’s a Jersey event. Tacos on a Tuesday in April? That’s LA energy.

The Secret Life of a 20-Something Star

Gaten isn’t just sitting in his house, though. He’s busy. He’s got that band, Work in Progress. And he’s been open about his health, dealing with cleidocranial dysplasia.

Where he lives doesn’t define him. But it does tell us he’s smart. He kept his roots and expanded his horizons. He’s basically a human version of a Southwest Airlines flight path.

Gaten Matarazzo Says Living With Finn Wolfhard Felt Like “A CollegeGaten Matarazzo Says Living With Finn Wolfhard Felt Like “A College

I imagine his LA home is low-key. No massive gates, no velvet ropes. Probably a cozy spot with a great kitchen and a backyard for his dogs. He’s a down-to-earth guy, or at least that’s the vibe he gives off in interviews.

And his Jersey house? Probably a nostalgic time capsule. Maybe it’s got his old high school trophies and a framed poster of The Goonies. You can’t buy that kind of sentimental value on Zillow.

So, to answer the question directly: he lives in Los Angeles, California for work. But his heart? That’s still partially anchored in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey.

It’s the best of both worlds. He can hike Runyon Canyon in the morning and get a decent bagel the next day (because, let’s face it, LA bagels are a tragedy). He’s living the ultimate compromise.

His current address isn’t public, of course. He’s not running a bed-and-breakfast for fans. But we know the state. And knowing he’s in California makes me imagine him stuck in traffic on the 101, listening to a 80s synthwave playlist. Pure poetry, right?

So next time you watch Stranger Things Season 5, remember: every time Dustin yells “Erica!” he’s channeling a guy who just drove past a Whole Foods. And that’s beautiful in its own weird, modern way.

He’s a New Jersey soul with a California zip code. And honestly? That’s the most 2024 thing I’ve ever heard. So raise your cup—coffee or Eggo waffles—and toast to Gaten, wherever he’s currently binge-watching The X-Files.