So, here’s the story: Charlie Rackett, a 37-year-old from Bury, Greater Manchester, decided to shake things up and move 5,200 miles to Las Vegas without ever having set foot there before. Her verdict? The city is way more chill than she ever imagined, with a lot more to see beyond the famous strip!
Charlie and her husband, Thom, sold their cozy one-bedroom apartment to follow his dream job with the Blue Man Group. Thom had already spent a year in Vegas back in 2017 and was itching to return. During the tough lockdowns, they realized they were really missing the thrill of adventure and travel, which pushed them to go for it.
In Feb 2022, without even visiting casa Vegas first, they unpacked their bags in a nice three-bedroom house just 15 minutes away from the iconic Las Vegas strip. Ever since then, Charles has been loving the seemingly laid-back vibes of the city far more than what most people think.
One common stereotype she challenges? People often think Las Vegas is all about casinos and part partying for adults. Not quite! Charlie pointed out the charm of her quieter suburban life, plus the perks of insider tickets to local concerts thanks to the friends she’s made.
Of course, not everything’s sunshine and rainbows: she does miss some British treats, like her favorite sausage rolls from Greggs and good old roast dinners.
Charlie is right at home now working for a theater ticket company but says, “Las Vegas is less chaotic than you would guess. Yeah, the strip is in full swing, but that’s not where most people live.” Talk about a surprise!
Not only is Vegas life packed with fun stuff like BBQs and epic friend events for every big holiday, but moving away from Bury really expanded their horizons. She mentioned, “Living in Bury, there isn’t that much on offer, but here, it’s like this huge playground is at your fingertips!”
A once-temporary chapter for Thom felt permanent when a call came in on July 31, 2021, that he’d secured a spot with the Blue Man Group. By November, he was off to chase his dreams in the US, and Charlie packed her bags just a few months later when her work commitments wrapped up.
She admits the first reactions after announcing the move weren’t all that positive from her friends. One even told her it sounded dreadful. Clearly, those hints of suburbia mixed with big city style weren’t on their radar!
What really surprised Charlie is the lie that Vegas is filled with nothing but tourists. She reveals: “You discover hundreds of thousands of locals actually live here and enjoy everyday life. People work regular jobs and just so happen to live in Las Vegas.”
You see, locals don’t often stroll down the touristy strip. But, living so near has its pros, like snagging free concert tickets to see stars like Beyoncé, the Backstreet Boys, and Pink! All thanks to her network of people working those major events.
In October 2024, the couple embraced an exciting new phase in their journey as they welcomed their daughter, Maisie. This little gal is a joy for them, helping build a warm sense of community within their neighborhood.
“We truly cherish living here. It feels like a forever home now. The friendships we’ve made and our lifestyle rooted in outdoor activities are things we couldn’t have dreamed of in the UK,” Charlie reflects with excitement.
“Every neighbor is so nice. I never truly experienced a strong sense of community until now.”
