Thoughts on Vegas – First Week – Travel.Therapy.Love.Repeat.

It has officially been one week since I have moved to Vegas! This past week has had its ups and downs for sure. With COVID affecting how the schools are looking this year, that process has been a little slower than we would have liked, but technically I kept my start date, so I couldn’t ask for much more! Although I haven’t done too much since my start date (technical issues), I have been able to experience so much of Vegas, this is such an incredible place.. I just want to take some time and share what I think of the place so far!

It is a large city, but it is not. You look at it and it is big, but you talk to anyone who has lived here at least a week (I now find myself saying this same quote) and they will say you can get anywhere you want within 30 minutes. It is absolutely true! I have had to drive from one side to the other and it just took 30 minutes. I also live 15 minutes from the strip, which is kind of unreal!
There is more hiking than you know what to do with. I have been trying to narrow down hikes to do, which hopefully soon I will pick my favorites, but there are so many! Later on I will mention a hike I did that is barely outside the city, again 15 minutes from my place.
The people are so extremely nice! There is something about Vegas that just has people reaching out in every shape and form. Most people are just looking for a new friend, which is perfect for me, since I didn’t know a soul coming down here! One person I actually met just a few days ago, he went to high school with me. Yup, we have lived in the same town (and down the road from each other), but we met in Vegas. Obviously, right??
There are so many restaurants. This one surprised me for some reason.. I was looking at a map of the area around me the first day I was here and found that there were 4-5 Mexican Restaurants on one block. How they are all still in business just blows my mind! The nice thing about the restaurants too is there is so much variety. I can be craving the most elaborate meal or food item and I can probably find it within 10 minutes of my apartment!
The strip is amazing! It is full of lights and people, casinos and liquor. Although, the amount of families I saw strolling along was quite spectacular. Not quite sure what fun the kids have besides M&M World on the strip, but maybe I will find out soon enough! I had a friend mention that they couldn’t take more than a few days in Vegas, but if you want to see all the cool stuff on the strip you definitely need many days! I haven’t seen barely any of it and I have had 2 trips there.
Yes, the weather is hot in August. I am from Minnesota, so obviously I have to address what the weather is like! This is a nice kind of hot and I can feel myself slowly getting used to it already. It is nice to not have the humidity, but if you are also in the sun too long, well you can feel your skin start to fry 🙂 so lots of sunscreen is preferred!
Branch out by yourself to more secluded areas. The touristy spots are great, but it is also great to get out by yourself and check out the smaller places or more secluded places to keep your sanity. I am a busybody and love the hustle and bustle, but getting away to a more secluded mountain or even just hanging out at my pool by myself (cause nobody else uses it..) is so peaceful.
There are so many big sights that are just a short drive away. This last one I have not experienced yet, but literally everyone I have talked to has mentioned this. For example, Arizona is a good hour away, Utah is a good 2 hours, and Los Angeles and/or San Diego is a good 4-5 hours away. Just to name a few.. Will I be branching to see some of these places on day trips or weekend trips? You betcha!

Uffda… So I have learned a lot and I hope you did too! Below I have listed some places and things that I have seen during this first week just to give a little hint into my first week. After all of this, I know I am going to love this place! I have also learned that I was a city girl coming into Vegas, but boy am I going to regret doing the nice things in the area.. I may turn into a high class city girl.. I guess time will tell!