Part 9/11:
The consequences extend beyond individual properties. Many long-standing residents are forced to leave Malibu, moving to nearby areas such as Orange County, where rebuilding and lifestyle remain feasible. The scarcity of rebuildable properties and their high costs have transformed Malibu into a playground primarily for wealthy foreign investors, notably from China, with limited opportunities for middle-class residents to replace or repair homes.
Moreover, the trend indicates an ongoing decline in local community fabric, as historic homes give way to expensive, impervious developments designed to withstand environmental pressures but at the cost of local character and affordability.