470,702
Population
Sunny Days: 214
45100 Affordability
90100 Schools
46100 Diversity
66100 Safety
Omaha, like Rome, is built on seven hills
-Alexander Payne
Omaha, Nebraska
Home On The Plain
The Best Thing About Omaha?
You can probably get a job
Omaha has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, with large companies increasingly drawn to the area’s spaciousness. The city also boasts a rising tech industry that has been given the name Silicon Prairie. Add to that a decent cost of living, and Omaha is a decent place to work and live.
A local's pov on the job market:
The job market in Omaha has been better than the rest of the country for many decades. That last recession wasn't bad at all here in Omaha, whereas things were pretty dire elsewhere.
For more reviews of Omaha from locals check out: The Buzz
The Worst Thing About Omaha?
Public transportation
Omaha’s public transit is not very good, and not used. That coupled with unpredictable weather at both cold and hot extremes, means that you really need a car to get around the city. It’s fairly easy to get out, with MegaBus offering cheap bus rides to Chicago and Des Moines, but it’s hard to get around the city.
Here's a local's pov about public transport in Omaha:
Yeah our public transit is a total joke except for ORBT in my opinion. But ORBT obviously doesn't constitute a full transit system and we need the other buses to be reliable too if we ever want people take transit seriously here. I do understand rerouting buses for snow, as the city can be hilly in places and that presents a difficulty and danger for some bus routes.
Lifestyle Of Omaha
Omaha has a growing downtown cultural and social scene but the fastest growing segment of the population are families. Omaha is ideal for young families who will benefit from low cost housing, room to spread out, even within the city, and plenty of amenities to keep everyone in the family occupied. The city does have a music scene, between Centurylink Center for big concerts, and several summer concert series to keep your toes a tapping. There’s also a world class zoo, a magical children’s museum, tons of parks and an indoor waterpark during the scorching months of summer.
If you want to see what happens in Omaha that's fun and cultural check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitomaha.com/events/
Workstyle Of Omaha
Omaha is frequently ranked as having the lowest unemployment rate in the country. Massive and successful corporations including Berkshire Hathaway, TD Ameritrade, Omaha Steaks, Union Pacific Railroad and Mutual of Omaha call this home. That means incredibly high paying jobs in a low cost city. Not a bad combination. In many ways the work culture of Omaha can feel a bit like an earlier era in America, if both Moms and Dads were working outside of the home back then – big companies offering secure employment in a city with reasonably priced homes and a mostly suburban lifestyle.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
A new transit system
In 2019, Omaha made its biggest investment ever in its transit system, with a brand new rapid transit line called ORBT. It has made a big difference in getting around the city, and tying neighborhoods together. More improvements are planned.
Living in Omaha
Neighborhoods in Omaha
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The Area
Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and considered the “Gateway To The West”. Its central location in the Midwest and Great Plains states means a lot of other big cities are within a reachable driving distance. Kansas City, St Louis, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Oklahoma City and even Chicago are somewhere between 2 and 6 ½ hours. If you get bored at home then plenty of options for escape. Its location on the Great Plains means scorching summers and freezing winters. In fact Omaha is rated the 4th coldest big city in the U.S. but the fact it resides on the banks of the Missouri river means great views from throughout the city.
Downtown
Young Professionals
Old Market (the original downtown) is a hotbed for young professionals in Omaha. Plenty of older buildings/warehouses converted to homes and condos along the river put you a walk from the central business district. Just as important are the bountiful supply of great restaurants, clubs bars and community activities to keep you occupied on nights and weekends.
- Old Market
- Blackstone
- Little Bohemia
Benson
DINKs/SINKs
Benson is an interesting choice for youngster and couples looking for an active social scene but a bit less frantic than the downtown-type areas. Home to art galleries, boutique shopping, great restaurants, and two craft breweries, it has plenty to do but feels a bit more “grown-up” than some of the more pure entertainment districts.
- Benson
- Highlander
Old Market
LGBTQ+
Nebraska is not historically noted as a particularly welcoming state but Omaha is big enough and filled with enough of a progressive population that the LGBTQ+ community can make it work here. First stop should be Old Market, the most popular neighborhood for the community and home to the bars and restaurants that cater to LGBTQ+ residents.
- Old Market
Aksarben Elmwood Park
Families
Aksarben/Elmwood Park is a good neighborhood for a family to start their search. Great classic homes are surrounded by great entertainment and retail options. This includes Aksarben Village, a development of businesses, restaurants, bars and theaters. Askarben (Nebraska spelled backwards) also hosts festivals like Earth Day, concerts at Stinson Park and Shakespeare on the Green at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
- Aksarben/Elmwood Park
- Dundee/Memorial Park/Happy Hollow
- Elkhorn