From Paradise to “the Mansion”

Last year, during our Snowbird Experiment, I told a friend we were wintering here, and she said, “Why Las Vegas?  Are you gambling away your life savings?!”

I wrote back, “I know Las Vegas is called ‘Sin City.’ And people come here and do things they probably wouldn't do in their ‘real’ lives.  But, it isn’t all Neon and noise, glitz and gambling.  Yeah.  That happens on The Strip.  But, where we are, in Paradise, it’s quiet – and beautiful actually.  There’s a mountain, which we see every day.  And, you think because it’s permanent it’s not changeable.  But, it’s different every day.  I thought I’d be trading one desolate environment for another.  (February in Minneapolis can be bleak.). But, the desert isn’t desolate, it's a different kind of environment and different kind of beauty than I’m used to at home, but it really is beautiful. ” 

And in that response, I realized I had fallen in love with Las Vegas.  Tom was way ahead of me, so we started talking about finding a place for “next year.”  To make a long story short, long term unfurnished was the most cost effective.  We found a place on the Legacy Golf Course and LOVE it. 

We had Tom’s grandsons here in October, for the MEA school break, and because of the gate and the pool (and the golf course) they asked, “Papa, do you live in a mansion?”  Of course, we don’t.  But, they called our place “the mansion” while they were here, and the nickname sort of stuck. 

I do miss seeing “Paradise” on my weather app, but "the mansion" is in a much quieter neighborhood, has ore space and better views, and we have our own furniture.  We've both said we can see staying here long term.