My arrival in Vegas was, in many ways, a serendipitous accident. Drawn by an irresistible deal, I purchased a condo. As I delved into its renovation, the city’s unique charm gradually won me over, to the point where I couldn’t fathom calling any other place home. Eager to share this new – found enthusiasm, I told my friends about Vegas, and within a few short years, we had acquired 11 condos in our 50 – unit complex.
Most of us were frequent travelers, but there was always a familiar face or two around. Occasionally, our group would converge, creating a vibrant atmosphere. It was a blend of the best of both worlds: the camaraderie and convenience reminiscent of a college dorm, coupled with the independence of having our own private spaces, which we could customize to our hearts’ content.
Back then, I thought the condos’ affordability was their greatest asset. Many of us snagged them for a mere $50 – 60k, an incredibly low price for a comfortable two – bedroom apartment in a convenient, if not overly luxurious, location. My wife and I took it a step further, buying adjacent units and essentially turning them into one large, cozy abode. However, we knew this setup wasn’t sustainable in the long run, with two kitchens and double the HOA fees. Then, the pandemic hit. Confined indoors without access to outdoor spaces, as the city shockingly closed its parks, we decided it was time for a change.
We moved to a new neighborhood, trading our condos for a much nicer house with ample space, a pool, and a sprawling backyard. While I felt a twinge of guilt for leaving the neighborhood I had worked so hard to populate, the allure of our new home was undeniable. I didn’t think to encourage others to follow suit, assuming they had only bought into the old neighborhood because of the low prices. But to my surprise, one by one, people started asking about the new neighborhood. Even those who had previously shown no interest in the old one were now intrigued.
Now, five of us have purchased houses in the new neighborhood, with one currently renting out their property. It turns out that the prospect of “buying an amazing house for less than in other good cities” is far more enticing than “buying the cheapest condo.” Besides the five houses, which are home to nine people, I’m confident that a few more couples will join us, and there are others eyeing the neighborhood as a potential future home.
Last month was a magical time. Everyone was in the neighborhood, and we had a steady stream of guests throughout the month. It was such a remarkable experience that I felt compelled to put pen to paper. Living close to your friends simplifies life in the most wonderful way. The shorter the distance between you, the less planning is required to spend time together. It’s common knowledge that it’s easier to meet someone in the same city than in a different state, but it’s astonishing how this ease intensifies when you’re just a short walk or scooter ride away from each other. Spontaneous gatherings for a swim, a game of pinball, watching a hockey game, or heading out for dinner become the norm.
Proximity also makes it effortless to lend a helping hand. I borrowed a friend’s Tesla for a road trip to Utah; picking up the keys and dropping off my car took mere minutes. A friend asked me to watch her plants, and she simply carried them over. Another friend, in the midst of renovating her place, stayed at our house and easily transported my tools back and forth. When one of us is away, the others are there to pick up packages or double – check that doors are locked. These acts of kindness are no burden; they’re a natural part of our close – knit community.
I’ve written extensively about reducing friction in my life, and only now do I fully appreciate how much friction is eliminated by living in the same neighborhood as my friends. Spending quality time with them is a top priority, and now, it’s one of the easiest things in my life. Moreover, sharing a neighborhood has deepened our friendships in unexpected ways. A friend I’ve known for years became even closer once she moved down the street, and I’ve now forged a great friendship with her fiancé, someone I barely knew before.
We’re not at full capacity yet, but I have big dreams for our community. I envision hiring people to provide “neighborhood services.” We could pool our resources to hire a cleaner for a few days a week, who could clean all our houses in one go. With enough residents, we might even be able to hire someone to run errands for everyone a few hours a day.
In essence, I wholeheartedly recommend considering a move into a neighborhood with your friends. I’m not sure how many others will take the plunge, but it’s an idea worth pondering. The key is to find a neighborhood that strikes the perfect balance between being desirable and affordable. While this might be challenging in some cities, in places like Vegas, it’s entirely achievable. I’m certain there are countless cities across the US with similar hidden gems. It can be a tough decision to move to a city that wasn’t your first choice, but the rewards of living close to your friends are immeasurable. For me, I’d consider moving just about anywhere if it meant being part of a neighborhood with my friends.
It’s ideal to have a few friends on board from the start, so you don’t have to make the leap alone like I did. But sometimes, you have to be a pioneer, willing to showcase the city’s potential. I wouldn’t have discovered Vegas’s magic if I hadn’t moved here by chance, and my friends might never have known its allure if I hadn’t encouraged them. As the one who convinced everyone to move, I feel a sense of responsibility to ensure their experience is as wonderful as possible. I assist them in finding houses, introduce them to realtors when they’re out of town, lend them my vehicles during moves, and help with home repairs. As our community has grown, others have also stepped up, creating a true sense of togetherness.
The beauty of this growing community is that as it expands, the collective support and shared experiences become greater than the sum of their parts. My friends have unearthed all sorts of hidden gems in Vegas that I might never have discovered on my own and have organized unforgettable outings.
Of course, you can’t control who joins your neighborhood, but I have a simple rule of thumb: I wouldn’t try to convince anyone to move in whom I wouldn’t casually invite for tea on a random morning. Quality always trumps quantity when building a community.
I have many friends and family in Austin, and by my own standards, I could have moved there. But what’s fascinating is that even among the closest friends there, they don’t see each other as often because of the distance between their homes. I firmly believe that if they lived in the same neighborhood, their bonds would strengthen significantly. This illustrates the profound difference between living in the same city and living in the same neighborhood; the latter multiplies the benefits exponentially.
Moving and convincing others to join you is no small feat, but the rewards are indescribable. For me, it’s been an incredibly fulfilling journey, and I’m excited to see how our neighborhood community continues to grow and evolve.
