A Brit who ditched the UK to move 5,200 miles to Las Vegas despite never visiting the city before says "it's much more chilled" than she expected - and there's "more to it" than the strip."

Charlie Rackett, 37, and her husband, Thom, decided to sell their one-bedroom apartment in Bury, Greater Manchester, and relocate to Sin City - as her husband was offered a role in the iconic Blue Man Group.

Thom had lived in Vegas for a year in 2017 and always wanted to return, and convinced Charlie to take the plunge after they "missed" going abroad while locked down during the pandemic."

Despite having never visited Las Vegas before, Charlie agreed to relocate, and the couple moved to a three-bedroom detached house - just 15 minutes from the iconic strip - in February 2022.

The pair have lived in America's playground ever since and say Vegas is "a lot more laid back than people think"."

While Charlie has revealed some of the biggest misconceptions about Vegas - including that it's only casinos and gambling, and it's just for adults.

Charlie said she loves her quiet suburban lifestyle, and being able to go to concerts for free because she knows people working on the strip.

But said she dislikes not being able to get home comforts, including a Greggs' sausage roll and a roast dinner.

Charlie, who works for a theater ticket company, originally from Bury, Greater Manchester, said: "Las Vegas is way more laid back than you think."

"It is not hectic - on the strip it is, but hardly anyone lives there."

"Vegas is way more chill and suburban, you just don't realize not living here."

"The lifestyle here is great and something we totally didn't expect."

"We have so many friends here, we get invited to events all the time, including Halloween, Fourth of July, and BBQs with friends."

"There is so much to do, the possibilities are endless, but living in Bury, what is there to do?"

Thom briefly lived in Las Vegas, but had to return to the UK after his visa ran out.

He had told Charlie how much he loved living in the US and how he wanted to take her there.

Charlie said: "He lived there for a year and loved it."

"Because of the way the visa system worked at the time, he couldn't stay in America for more than two years."

"When the world shut down in 2020, Thom was telling me how much he had loved living in Vegas."

"We decided that when the country opened up again that our first trip abroad would be to Vegas."

But on July 31, 2021, Thom received a call saying a permanent spot had opened up for him to be part of the Blue Man Group - a performance art company known for its stage productions featuring three bald, blue-painted performers.

Thom left the UK in November 2021, and Charlie joined him in Vegas in February 2022 after her stint working for a pantomime came to a close.

Charlie said: "I didn't know what to expect. One person I told about moving here said she couldn't think of anything worse."

"I didn't realize that it was full suburbia, there are hundreds of thousands of people living here."

"I didn't realize that people live normal lives and happen to live them in Las Vegas."

Charlie says most Las Vegas residents won't go to the strip very often but insists one of the perks of living so close to it is often getting to see acts for free.

Charlie said: "One cool thing about living here is the perks."

"I saw Beyoncé, the Backstreet Boys, and Pink for free."

"It was totally free because I knew people working the events and they were able to sort out complimentary tickets - everyone knows everyone here."

"Even if you don't know someone, you can ask around and figure out how to get in for free."

In October 2024, Thom and Charlie welcomed their daughter, Maisie, now 10 months old - which they say has been great as they've noticed a real sense of community with their neighbors.

She said: "We really love it here, we see ourselves living here forever."

"The community of friends we have found ourselves is really special."

"We also have this outdoor lifestyle that you just can't have in the UK."

"We live in the cutest little neighborhood, everyone here is so sweet."

"I feel like I never had this sense of community and outdoorsiness in England."