Why I Left LA for a House in the Desert
Look, I get it. I’m that guy now. The one who left the city for the suburbs. But honestly? I’m not sorry.
It started last year, in February, at a conference in Austin. I was talking to a colleague named Dave—let’s call him Marcus—and he mentioned how he’d moved to Las Vegas. “It’s cheap,” he said. “And it’s quiet.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. I was tired of LA. Tired of the traffic, the noise, the constant feeling that I was always behind. So I did something crazy. I looked up Las Vegas housing market rent prices.
And, I mean, it was a no-brainer. For the price of a tiny apartment in LA, I could have a whole house in Vegas. A house with a yard. A house where I could actually park my car in the garage. A house where I wouldn’t have to listen to my neighbors argue at 2 AM.
So, about three months ago, I did it. I packed up my stuff, said goodbye to my friends, and moved to Vegas.
It’s Not All Palm Trees and Pool Parties
Let me tell you something: Vegas isn’t what you think. It’s not all palm trees and pool parties. It’s a city, but it’s also a desert. It’s hot. Really hot. And it’s dry. Really dry.
But it’s also quiet. And that’s what I needed. I needed a place where I could think. Where I could write. Where I could actually hear myself think.
And, honestly, it’s been great. I’ve met some amazing people. I’ve discovered some great food. And I’ve finally started writing again. Like, really writing. Not just churning out articles for clients. But writing for me. Writing because I want to.
The One Thing I Miss
But there’s one thing I miss. And that’s the energy of LA. The constant buzz of the city. The feeling that anything can happen.
But, you know what? I can always visit. And, honestly, I think I’m gonna need to. Because Vegas is great, but it’s not LA. And sometimes, you just need that energy.
But for now, I’m gonna enjoy the quiet. The space. The time to think. And, you know what? I’m gonna enjoy writing again.
Because that’s what this move was about. It was about finding a place where I could be me. Where I could write. Where I could think. And, honestly, I think I’ve found it.
So, yeah. I’m that guy now. The one who left the city for the suburbs. But, honestly? I’m not sorry.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience. She’s written for major publications, traveled the world, and now lives in Las Vegas, where she enjoys the quiet, the space, and the time to think. She’s also a huge fan of tacos, bad movies, and long walks in the desert.
