“A little bit of this town goes a very long way.” Hunter S. Thompson

I haven't yet decided if I love living in Las Vegas, or hate living in Las Vegas ... and I don't know if my indecision has more to do with living in a large city, or if it's actually because it is Las Vegas.

Let's start with the climate and get that one out of the way. In a nutshell, the weather in Las Vegas is ideal ... except for the three months during the summer that you can't touch your steering wheel or go outside during the day. I liken it to topsy-turvy Chicago weather. 

Love it - hate it.

If it weren't for the light on the Luxor I'd never know where I was at night

Living in a destination city is different ... really different. It's great when you have friends and family all over the country because people actually want to visit here. When I lived in Podunk, the only draw was Chick-N-Dip, and although their broasted chicken and raspberry shakes were to die for, it didn't motivate many people to make the trip. In the sixteen months I've lived here? I've seen more friends and family than I saw the previous 10 years living in the Chicago area. This is somewhere they want to visit and they will even make time to at least have dinner with me.

Love it - hate it.

Las Vegas is very much a transient city. Yes, generally large cities are transient, but Las Vegas is transient on steroids. People come here for many reasons, but the main draws seems to be living the dream that Las Vegas sells so well, or thinking all of the online poker they've been playing will make them millionaires at the casino tables. It is difficult to get to know people when they leave this city as quickly as they come to this city. That said, the diversity here is beyond anything I've ever experienced anywhere. It truly is a microcosm of the world.

Love it - hate it.

The bottom line? I have no plans to move any time soon. I've got actual family here, and both my mom and Cam are happier than a pigeon with a french fry. We'll  see what happens over time, but Las Vegas just might be my final destination, whether I love it, or hate it.