Television host Caitlin O’Connor is opening up about why she and fiancé Joe Manganiello decided to leave Los Angeles behind and start a new chapter in their shared hometown of Pittsburgh.
After previously confirming their move in an interview with People, O’Connor, 36, reflected further on the transition during a recent conversation with Fox News Digital, describing the decision as both intentional and “perfect.”
Why Joe Manganiello & Caitlin O’Connor Left Hollywood for Pittsburgh
“Pittsburgh is the perfect place to start fresh,” O’Connor told Fox News Digital. “All of our neighbors are so nice, generous and helpful. In a big city, you don’t have that kind of community that we have here.”
Both O’Connor and Manganiello grew up in suburbs surrounding the western Pennsylvania city, and the move represents a return to familiar values for the couple. They have settled in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, which O’Connor noted is “just about an hour away” from her own hometown of Uniontown.
O’Connor also acknowledged that safety concerns played a role in their choice to leave Los Angeles.
“The crime in Los Angeles is at an all-time high,” she said. “We were thinking about it for a long time, and the right house happened to come up. We went to look at it in Pittsburgh, and it was perfect for us.”
While crime factored into the decision, O’Connor emphasized that the move was ultimately about building a better day-to-day life — one centered on connection, peace and a sense of belonging.
Inside Joe Manganiello & Caitlin O’Connor’s Relationship & Career Plans
Despite relocating away from Hollywood, O’Connor said the couple has found that their careers remain fully manageable from Pittsburgh.
She explained that Los Angeles no longer feels like the singular hub of the entertainment industry it once was, saying, “For the most part, everything is on Zoom.”
Manganiello, best known for roles in films including “Magic Mike,” and O’Connor announced their engagement in October 2025 after two years of dating. The move has allowed them to reconnect not only with their roots, but also with each other on a deeper level.
Speaking previously to People, O’Connor described their neighborhood in glowing terms, revealing the move was not a “sudden” decision, “We were thinking about it for a while.”
Since settling in, the couple has been embracing all aspects of life back home — including winter weather. In the interview, O’Connor shared a lighthearted moment that quickly became a favorite memory.
“I mean, I watched Joe shovel snow in our driveway for two-and-a-half hours yesterday. And it was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen,” she joked.
Beyond the humor, O’Connor said the most meaningful part of their move has been reconnecting through shared experiences and values.
“That’s what we really connect on, you know, we share the same upbringing, the same hometown knowledge. And that’s what really connects us as a couple,” she said. “So it’s beautiful to be back home together.”
They look happy and they are a beautiful couple
I thought he was still married to Sofia Vegara.