Omaha has been garnering lots of attention as of late as one of the best places to live in the country — and if you’re a local, you already know that you are very lucky to live here. It’s one of the best places to raise a family, one of the best cities for millennials, a great foodie town and a great place to look for a job.
If the accolades haven’t convinced you, allow us! We dove into why Omaha is such a desirable place to live, from our friendly neighborhoods to our thriving culinary scene.
It’s one of the most affordable places for homebuyers…
This home is for sale at 702 Rosewood Avenue, Papillion | Listed by Rosemary Nicholson
If you’re in the market to buy a home, you will find lots of desirable options in Omaha. But you’ll also find that many of these homes are much more affordable than they would be in other American cities! Realtor.com lists the median price for a home in Omaha at just $195,000, which might be part of the reason that SmartAsset named Omaha as the third best city in the US for first-time homebuyers.
…and the cost of living is low!
In 2016, Yahoo! Finance named Omaha as one of the best, most affordable places to live in the US, showing that residents typically get to keep more than 71% of their income in their wallets. Plus, you can easily enjoy a date night for $20 or less, and many of our best local attractions are completely free!
The music scene is on point.
Some of the most well-known bands in the country hail from Omaha, including Bright Eyes and 311, and a famous Indie label, Saddle Creek Records, is based right here in town. Every night, our local bars and event venues light up with tunes from local treasures and national phenoms alike! Here are 21 Omaha-area bands you should be listening to.
Both small businesses and large businesses thrive here.
Omaha is home to a collection of Fortune 500 companies — the strongest concentration of corporate giants in the Midwest, as a matter of fact. The large companies are a huge contributing factor to our local economy!
That prosperity makes it easier to find a job (our unemployment rate is well below the national average), but also makes it easier for entrepreneurs and small businesses to thrive. Small businesses can get a kick start through companies like Omaha Small Business Network, which helps startups find affordable office space, create realistic business plans and score a loan.
We take our sports seriously.
Photo courtesy of TD Ameritrade Park
If you see a few giant corn hats during the fall, don’t be alarmed. That’s just the locals showing support for our local college football team, the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers! Though the famed Memorial Stadium is actually an hour away in Lincoln, it’s not uncommon to travel down to tailgate and watch the game in person. If you’re attending, make sure to wear your red, black and white, and when they say, “Husker,” you say, “power!”
Additionally, Omaha hosts the College World Series every year at TD Ameritrade Park, and it’s kind of a big deal. People look forward to the event year-round, and it basically turns into a week-long celebration! But in all honesty, there isn’t a sport that we don’t like. Fans of basketball, football, baseball, soccer, hockey, golf and curling will all find home here. Omaha is home to excellent stadiums such as the Baxter Arena as well as two fantastic universities (Creighton and University of Nebraska Omaha). You can expect to see the big game onscreen at all of Omaha’s best sports bars.
You can get almost anywhere in 20 minutes.
With its bustling professional scene, festive nightlife and top-notch restaurants, Omaha has all of the perks of a big city, but we still haven’t lost our small-town charm! Rush hour doesn’t really exist here compared to other American cities, and you can easily reach the other end of town by car within 20 minutes. Without the lengthy commute, you might find yourself with extra time in the morning to grab coffee!
We are very fashionable.
Photo courtesy of Omaha Fashion Week
We might not be as famous as Milan or New York City, but Omaha is a haven for the fashion-savvy. Omaha Fashion Week is one of the largest fashion events in the country and allows local, regional and national designers to showcase their work on the runway. Additionally, locals can pick up the latest fashions at a nearby boutique!
We are no strangers to the farm-to-table movement.
Omaha sits in the agricultural center of the country! Nebraska is famous for its steaks, but our rolling hills and abundant sunshine makes it easy to raise livestock and grow produce. In fact, our area is surrounded by an abundance of local farms and markets perfect for stocking up on meat, dairy, produce and more. We take advantage of the local bounty by using it in our cooking, and you can sample the flavors of the region for yourself at one of these 12 farm-to-table restaurants in town.
Our neighborhoods are filled with personality.
Photo courtesy of Aksarben Village
The city of Omaha is made up of an abundance of smaller communities, each boasting a different feel and personality. So, regardless of your lifestyle, you are sure to find a neighborhood that will make you feel at home! Some neighborhoods have amazing walk scores, some host community events every week, and some are private and serene — it just depends on what you’re looking for. Here are seven up-and-coming neighborhoods to consider around town.
Omaha is a great city for people of all ages.
Omaha was recently named as one of the best cities in America for millennials thanks to its low cost of living, abundance of jobs and vibrant lifestyle, but the city is appealing for people of all ages. For instance, families will love the abundance of family-friendly gatherings and cultural attractions like the Omaha Children’s Museum and Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. And those looking to retire will love the abundance of cultural attractions and the friendly atmosphere.
It’s a food lover’s paradise.
Omaha is famous for its steaks and burgers, but the town has been experiencing a bit of a foodie renaissance over the past decade! Chefs from culinary hubs across the country, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, are looking to Omaha for its business prospects, and working with local chefs and restaurateurs to create new concepts. We welcomed a record number of new eateries to the scene in 2017, and whether you’re in the mood for seafood, vegan and vegetarian fare, tacos, baked goods, or even cheating on your diet, there is something in town to delight your taste buds!
There are plenty of opportunities for travel.
If you have a serious case of wanderlust, you’ll find that Omaha is an ideal home base. This town is located smack dab in the heart of America, which means that it’s fairly easy to get anywhere you want to go! Catch a flight to hundreds of destinations across the globe from Omaha Eppley Airfield, or drive to some of our nation’s best vacation destinations in less than seven hours. There are also plenty of awesome weekend getaways right here in Nebraska,
It’s a wonderful place for animal lovers.
And we’re not just saying that! If you’re a fan of animals, you’ll be happy to hear that Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was recently ranked as the second best zoo in the country by USA Today. The zoo is constantly praised for its elaborate, one-of-a-kind exhibits and diverse range of animals.
If you’re looking for an experience that is off the beaten path, you can venture to the nearby Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari. Located just 30 minutes outside of town, the park houses more than 350 animals and 53 species from all over the world, including a large selection of species native to North America. Drive through the park on a modern safari to witness some of these animals in their natural habitat!
We have great schools.
Between Creighton University, the University of Nebraska Omaha and so many more — there are plenty of opportunities for a great education! And that’s just colleges. Here are the best public school districts in the Omaha area.
There is always something fun going on.
Photo courtesy of Bridge Beats
You never have to worry about being bored in Omaha. There are so many fun things to do, see and explore, so the real issue is deciding how to spend your time. Enjoy a free concert during the summer, get a team together for trivia night, embark on a self-guided brewery crawl, see a show at the Orpheum Theater, go on a unique date with your sweetheart, rent a bike and hit the trails, explore our local restaurant scene or venture between our city’s most popular landmarks.
The people here are friendly.
If you’re perfectly comfortable striking up a conversation with strangers, Omaha might be the place for you. Our unofficial claim to fame is that we are “Nebraska nice,” which means it’s normal here to be friends with your grocery store clerk, to have a conversation with a neighbor while walking your dog, or to meet a new friend at a local event. In fact, WalletHub recently named us one of the most caring cities in America.
There are lots of photo opportunities.
Whether you’re gazing at the skyline from the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge or riding in a horse-drawn carriage through Old Market, you will find plenty of reasons to snap a photo for Instagram. Beauty is everywhere here — in our sunsets, on our patios, in our parks and in our homes. Just check out these gorgeous Instagram shots if you don’t believe us!
All in all, it’s just the best.
Omahans know that there is no better place to call home, and once you visit, you’ll see for yourself what all the fuss is about!
Did we convince you?
If you’re looking to make the move, we can help you find your dream home! Contact one of our talented agents or use our advanced search tool to find your dream home.