HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL: Harry and Meghan to move out of $14M Montecito mansion for even more lavish estate

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are rumored to be looking for a new property just 10 miles away in Hope Ranch

UPDATED OCT 2, 2022

Harry and Meghan are reportedly 'hunting' for a new home (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

HOPE RANCH, CALIFORNIA: Prince Harry and Meghan left the Royal Family in shock when they left the UK and crossed the Atlantic to reside in a $14 million mansion in Montecito. However, now they seem to have outgrown this home and are on the lookout for an estate in Hope Ranch, reports the Santa Barbara News-Press.

According to sources, their current $14 million home "does not properly accommodate them," prompting them to scour estates in the neighboring Hope Ranch community. Lying at a distance of 10 miles, Hope Ranch is an affluent neighborhood where luxury homes go for as high as $22 million.

Meghan Markle wanted to be Queen Bee amidst 'culture and personality clashes', claims royal expert

View of the Montecito Village sign, in Montecito, California on March 6, 2021. - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle headed to California and relocated in July, 2020 to Montecito, a small and affluent seaside city 100 miles (160 kilometers) up the coast, where a spokesperson said they had — View of the Montecito Village sign, in Montecito, California (VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

As per an article by the Daily Mail, Meghan and Harry may have already purchased a property in the region, but this remains unconfirmed. It is also unclear what type of property the couple is looking for - a big mansion like the one in Montecito or a smaller one.

Notably, Montecito houses several affluent names, including celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Aniston, Adam Levine, and others. On the other hand, Hope Ranch, also a private residential community would provide the Sussexes with relative peace and quiet.

Their alleged desire to move out of Montecito comes after a rise in crime in the neighborhood following which police installed license plate scanning cameras close to their mansion. The Sun reported that the Montecito Association had sent out an email to all residents informing them of the decision to install the cameras "in response to the high-value property crime we've experienced recently."

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive on the long Walk at Windsor Castle arrive to view flowers and tributes to HM Queen Elizabeth on September 10, 2022 in Windsor, England. Crowds have gathered and tributes left at the gates of Windsor Castle to Queen Elizabeth II, who died at Balmoral Castle on 8 September, 2022. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) — Harry and Meghan have been 'hunting' for a new place as theirs no longer 'properly accommodate[s]' them (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The email added that the crimes were "being committed by sophisticated out-of-the-area theft gangs." In fact, police were alerted to two intruders had sneaked into the property of the Sussexes earlier this year in May. Police records reveal that one person had been reported to have trespassed into the property during their wedding anniversary on May 19. Later that month, another trespasser was reported merely hours before the couple was to leave for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

The outlet also reported that Craig Bonner, undersheriff for Santa Barbara County spoke to the locals in an online meeting, telling them that the authorities were facing "some problems with professional burglars." "We want these cameras up and running as quickly as possible to capture these folks as they come and go from the area," he added.

As a result, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may consider moving to a safer community, merely 10 miles away. Hope Ranch comes with a host of perks for residents, including a members-only country club, golf club, tennis courts, picnic grounds, and several equestrian trails. They will also have access to a private beach and walking trails.