A Year in the Desert: My First Year Living in Las Vegas

One year ago, my son and I packed up our lives in Michigan and traded the familiar Midwest for the mountains and desert of Las Vegas. Although it happened quickly, it wasn’t a decision I made lightly. In fact, it came after a great deal of soul-searching, late-night conversations, and careful weighing of the risks and rewards.

At the time, I was feeling stuck. Michigan had been my home for years, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t making the forward progress I wanted in life. My personal goals felt stalled. My days were filled with routine, but not fulfillment. Something needed to change, and that change wasn’t going to come if I stayed in my comfort zone.

Then there was my boyfriend. We had been friends long before we started dating, and over time, he became a constant in mine and my son’s lives. My son met him when he was just shy of turning five, back when we were still “just friends.” Over the years, that friendship grew into something more, and he became a steady, positive male figure in my son’s life.

I can’t overstate how important this has been. Boys, especially in their early years, need healthy role models to show them kindness, responsibility, and what respect looks like in action. My boyfriend doesn’t try to replace anyone; he simply shows up every day, supporting us both in big and small ways. He is intentional and a man of his word. That presence has been a gift I couldn’t ignore.

So I took the leap. My son and I moved to Las Vegas, embracing a completely new environment. And here’s what I’ve learned after my first full year in the desert:

Big Moves Are Hard, But Worth It

1. You’re leaving the familiar. No matter how ready you think you are, uprooting your life is emotional. Friends, family, routines - all of it becomes a memory instead of a daily habit.

2. You’ll question yourself. There were moments in those first few months when I wondered if I’d made the right decision. That’s normal. Change is uncomfortable before it’s rewarding.

3. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. By removing myself from the patterns that kept me feeling stuck, I had no choice but to adapt, grow, and see life from a new perspective.

Tips for Making a Big Decision

• Get clear on your “why.” Before you make any major move, understand your core reasons. Is it for career growth? A relationship? A fresh start? Your “why” will help you stay grounded when the doubts creep in.

• Consider the impact on your family. For me, the stability and influence my boyfriend brings to mine and my son’s life weighed heavily in my decision ... in the best way possible. If you’re a parent, factor in how the change will affect your child emotionally and developmentally.

• Talk it out with people you trust. Sometimes, outside perspective helps you see what’s fear-based hesitation versus legitimate concern.

• Accept that there’s no perfect time. If you wait for all the lights to turn green, you’ll never leave the driveway.

• Be ready to embrace the unknown. Some of the most rewarding parts of my move came from experiences I never could have planned.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

A year later, I’m more certain than ever that this was the right move for us. The experiences we've had thus far have enriched our lives far beyond words. Most importantly, we feel whole again. I have a partner who not only loves me, but also shows up for my child in ways that matter most. And I’ve found a renewed sense of direction and possibility that I was missing before.

Sometimes, the hardest decisions we make are the ones that bring the biggest rewards. For me, moving to Las Vegas wasn’t just about changing my address, it was about changing the trajectory of my life.

Here’s to many more years in the desert sun.