When most people think of Las Vegas, they picture neon lights, bachelor parties, and chaos on the Strip. But if that’s all you’ve seen, you’re missing the best parts.
As someone who travels often, I’ve learned to recognize a city that supports my lifestyle without draining my energy. Vegas? It’s a creative paradox—a 24/7 playground that also respects your solitude. I’m not saying I live here full-time… but I’ve been anchoring here lately, and here’s why that’s been magic:
1. 20 Minutes from the Middle of Nowhere
You can be surrounded by chaos at a downtown coffee shop one minute and driving through what looks like Mars 20 minutes later. No traffic, new pavement, very few humans in sight. The escape is instant.
2. The Desert Night is a Whole Other Dimension
There’s something mystical about the warm desert wind at night—palms swaying, stars out, and a kind of hush that feels ancient. I grew up in SoCal, but the nights there don’t hit like this. Desert nights awaken something mythic.
3. Random Magic Is Normal Here
The other day I was at Mothership Coffee at Fergusons, and the Blue Man Group just… walked in. I texted Bex and she goes, “That’s so Vegas.” Which might become a column someday.
4. Creative People Everywhere
From weird installations in the desert to impromptu collaborations with artists in coffee shops, this city is buzzing with creative energy if you know where to look.
5. I Spend Less on Gas
Vegas is flat, compact, and shockingly walkable. I’m spending less on gas and doing more with each trip. Bonus: parking is usually free, even at five-star hotels.
6. It’s Like Living in a Giant Hotel Lobby
Vegas is transient in the best way. Friends from everywhere pass through. I get to stay rooted, work deeply, then step out when I feel like plugging in. It’s the dream introvert-extrovert hybrid life.
7. Nature Is Everywhere
Mount Charleston is 45 minutes away and feels like another state. Mojave National Preserve? Unreal. Joshua Tree, Lone Pine, Death Valley—all easy weekend escapes. And no, I haven’t even scratched the surface yet.
8. You Can Be Alone in Public
I love working from hotel lobbies. I’ve posted up with my iPad at Cosmo for hours—VIP experience, no one bothered me, didn’t spend a dime. That kind of anonymous luxury is hard to beat.
9. 24/7 Coffee + Vibes
I’ve had Christmases in cities where everything shuts down. Last year? I rolled into Fontainebleau, grabbed a coffee, and had a four-hour creative session while people partied around me. Bliss.
10. Hospitality Runs Deep
Everyone here treats you like a VIP—not just because it’s a hospitality town, but because you never know who hit the jackpot last night. There’s a kind of democratic glamor to it.
11. No Social Pressure = More Social Energy
In LA or SF, I felt pressure to “do something” every weekend. Here? No FOMO. I rarely go out, but if I want to, there’s always something. That freedom makes me more socially energized, not less.
12. Off-Strip Inspiration Walks
As a photographer and creative director, I sometimes wander through Bellagio or Wynn just for visual inspiration. These spaces are masterclasses in design and ambiance.
13. The Quirky Residential Vibes
Vegas neighborhoods are full of bold lighting, mid-century architecture, and homes that look like someone said, “Why not turn this place into my own little Black Rock City?” And honestly, I’m here for it.
Whether I’m working, road tripping, or just chasing light through the desert, Las Vegas keeps surprising me. It’s a city that leaves room—for solitude, spontaneity, and some pretty weird miracles.