{"id":28043,"date":"2014-04-07T07:51:38","date_gmt":"2014-04-07T14:51:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/?p=28043"},"modified":"2014-04-07T07:51:38","modified_gmt":"2014-04-07T14:51:38","slug":"moving-to-omaha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/moving-to-omaha\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Things You Need To Know About Omaha Before You Move There"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. The Guy In Line Behind You May Be One Of The World\u2019s Richest<\/h2>\n

\"Warren<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Aaron Friedman<\/div>\n

Home to the former world\u2019s richest man Warren Buffett and a slew of other multi-millionaires, Omaha<\/a> has a high concentration of wealthy inhabitants. You\u2019d never know it, as most of them are completely unassuming. Maybe some of their luck will rub off on you, eh?<\/p>\n

2. Omahans Love Them Some Tasty Brews<\/h2>\n

\"Beer<\/p>\n

Source: Infusion Brewing Company via Facebook<\/div>\n

With a wealth of local breweries and establishments offering a wide array of craft beers, Omaha is a beer-lover\u2019s paradise.
\nFrom Omaha Beer Week to Beer Fest, there are festivals throughout the year devoted to Omaha\u2019s favorite beverage. It seems like a brewery pops up every month, so you\u2019ll never run out of new places to get some good hops.<\/p>\n

3. Omaha\u2019s Music Scene Is Cooler Than Yours<\/h2>\n

\"Omaha\u2019s<\/p>\n

Source: Rock Paper Dynamite via Facebook<\/div>\n

With one of the best and most diverse music scenes in the country, it\u2019s no wonder Omaha is on list after list of the top music cities in the United States. Catch a great local show at The Waiting Room, Slowdown, Barley Street Tavern or Venue 51. There\u2019s a concert or open mic every night in this city.<\/p>\n

4. And It\u2019ll Rock Your Face Off At Maha<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Source: Maha Music Festival via Facebook<\/div>\n

The Maha Music Festival features a full day of rocking on two stages. From outstanding local acts to national independent artists, beautiful Stinson Park in the Aksarben area of the city is filled with people for this fest. Highlights of last year\u2019s event include Flaming Lips, Matt & Kim and Bob Mould.<\/p>\n

5. Grab A Bite To Eat With The Raccoons At The Alpine Inn<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Source: Alpine Inn via Facebook<\/div>\n

At the Alpine Inn you can enjoy some of the best fried chicken around in the comfortable divey atmosphere. The staff throws food scraps out for stray cats and raccoons to dine on (up close to plate glass windows), providing the quirkiest dinner show you\u2019ll ever see.<\/p>\n

6. Beercade Is The Perfect Place For Adult Arcade Junkies<\/h2>\n

\"Beercade<\/p>\n

Source: Beercade via Facebook<\/div>\n

The grown-up playground of Beercade features all your favorite retro arcade games–yes, they have Galaga–along with an amazing selection of craft beers. It\u2019s all the fun of being a kid, but with a full bar. Don\u2019t forget your quarters!<\/p>\n

7. You Can Thank Omaha For The TV Dinner<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Daniel Oines<\/div>\n

That\u2019s right, this mid-century staple was invented right here in the heartland by C.A. Swanson and Sons in 1954. As housewives rejoiced, the family gathered around for Swanson\u2019s finest frozen creations. Salisbury steak and whipped potatoes, anyone?<\/p>\n

8. Everything Is 20 Minutes Away<\/h2>\n

\"Everything<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user John Philip Green<\/div>\n

Ask a local how long it takes to get from any point A to any point B, and the answer will be 20 minutes. Kind of like when you order Chinese take-out and the wait time is always 10 minutes.
\nWith easy interstate access and manageable traffic (even at rush hour), it\u2019s quick and easy to get around the entire city.<\/p>\n

9. Omaha\u2019s Home To The College World Series<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Bozell<\/div>\n

Since 1950, people from around the U.S. have flocked to Omaha to participate in America\u2019s favorite pastime.
\nHeld at the brand new TD Ameritrade Park, downtown is rocking when the CWS is on. The beer tents outside the park are a favorite gathering place for locals during the championship.<\/p>\n

10. Husker Football Is The State Religion<\/h2>\n

\"Husker<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user kippster<\/div>\n

With no pro teams in the state, Nebraskans take Husker sports seriously–especially football. You\u2019ll see a lot of red on game days, and don\u2019t bother going into a sports bar if you don\u2019t want to watch the game.
\nFun fact: During games, Memorial Stadium becomes the third largest city in Nebraska<\/a>, and every game has been sold out since 1962. They don\u2019t call it the Cornhusker State for nothing.<\/p>\n

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11. Omaha Is The Answer To The Question \u201cWhere\u2019s The Beef?\u201d<\/h2>\n

\"Beef<\/p>\n

Source: Spezia via Facebook<\/div>\n

Everyone\u2019s heard of Omaha Steaks, and this city definitely knows its way around a cow.
\nOmaha is brimming with excellent steakhouses, so skip the chains and try Brother Sebastian\u2019s, The Drover, Johnny\u2019s Italian Steakhouse or Warren Buffet\u2019s favorite–Gorat\u2019s.<\/p>\n

12. We Have The Best Zoo In The Nation–Seriously<\/h2>\n

\"Henry<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Kirk Strauser<\/div>\n

Deemed the best in the U.S.–and not just by locals–the Henry Doorly Zoo boasts the largest geodesic dome in the nation, as well as the largest indoor rainforest. Bears, monkeys, penguins and any other animal you can think of is housed in this massive zoo.<\/p>\n

13. You\u2019ve Seen Our Ads<\/h2>\n

\"Ads<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user katerha<\/div>\n

Everyone is familiar with the \u201cGot Milk?\u201d and \u201cPork. The Other White Meat\u201d ad campaigns, but not many know they came from Omaha. Don Draper would be proud of Omaha\u2019s largest ad agency Bozell.<\/p>\n

14. There\u2019s Always Something New In The Old Market<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Source: Omaha Old Market via Facebook<\/div>\n

Omaha\u2019s hip downtown scene is full of interesting shops, trendy bars, urban lofts, restaurants and a decidedly big-city feeling. This is definitely the place to be for a night on the town.<\/p>\n

15. Offutt Air Force Base Is The Bomb<\/h2>\n

\"American<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff<\/div>\n

Headquarters for the U.S. Strategic Command, this thriving hub of American military aviation is where the Enola Gay was built. With all this high-level military strategy, we\u2019re certain they\u2019ll make an action film about Omaha soon.<\/p>\n

16. Lights, Camera, Alexander Payne<\/h2>\n

\"Alexander<\/p>\n

Source: Wikipedia Commons<\/div>\n

Director Alexander Payne of Oscar-nominated \u201cNebraska\u201d fame hails from the River City. He\u2019s often spotted around town, as he still spends much of his time in Omaha. \u201cAbout Schmidt,\u201d \u201cSideways\u201d and \u201cElection\u201d would have never been made if not for this son of Omaha.<\/p>\n

17. Welcome To The Silicon Prairie<\/h2>\n

\"Silicon<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Silicon Prairie News<\/div>\n

Known as part of the Silicon Prairie, tech startups and entrepreneurs abound in Omaha. Check out the \u201cSilicon Prairie News\u201d for the latest in tech and creative in this booming sector, and if you\u2019re entrepreneurially minded, you\u2019ve got to go to The Big Omaha conference.<\/p>\n

18. Ever Heard Of A Runza?<\/h2>\n

\"Runza<\/p>\n

Source: Runza Restaurants via Facebook<\/div>\n

Maybe not, but this Nebraska fast food chain is everywhere and has been enjoyed by presidents and celebrities alike. The signature sandwich is a mixture of ground beef and cabbage encased in bread. Don\u2019t knock it until you try it. It\u2019s delicious.<\/p>\n

19. We Know You\u2019ve Heard Of The Reuben<\/h2>\n

\"Reuben<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Larry Hoffman<\/div>\n

Yep, the famous sandwich was invented right here at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. It seems every restaurant<\/a> in town boasts the \u201cbest Reuben in Omaha,\u201d but it\u2019s pretty much agreed that the true best Reuben is at Crescent Moon Ale House.<\/p>\n

20. Everything\u2019s Bigger In\u2026Omaha?<\/h2>\n

\"Borsheim\u2019s<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user TEDizen<\/div>\n

Talk about retail giants. Omaha boasts both the largest furniture store in the U.S. (Nebraska Furniture Mart) and the biggest jewelry store (Borsheim\u2019s).
\nBorsheim\u2019s includes clientele such as Hillary Clinton and Bill Gates, so you never know who you may run into there.<\/p>\n

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21. Omaha Birthed A President<\/h2>\n

\"Gerald<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Beverly & Pack<\/div>\n

Gerald Ford\u2019s birthplace stands in the Field Club area of the city. Home to lovely gardens and a gazebo, you can see what the beginning of this former U.S. President\u2019s life was like.<\/p>\n

22. And A Civil Rights Leader<\/h2>\n

\"Malcolm<\/p>\n

Source: Wikipedia Commons<\/div>\n

You probably never would have guessed that Malcolm X was born right here in little old Omaha. The Malcolm X Memorial Foundation has built a beautiful plaza and educational memorial site at the place of his birth that\u2019s worth a visit for history buffs.<\/p>\n

23. Omaha\u2019s Got The Fab Fortune Five (Hundred)<\/h2>\n

\"Fortune<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Mike Mozart<\/div>\n

With a total of five Fortune 500 companies in town, Omaha has the highest number of Fortune 500 companies of any city in the nation. Berkshire Hathaway, ConAgra Foods, Union Pacific, Peter Kiewit Sons\u2019 and Mutual of Omaha are all headquartered in Omaha.<\/p>\n

24. Talking To Strangers Is Encouraged Here<\/h2>\n

\"Friendly<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Silicon Prairie News<\/div>\n

Omaha is known far and wide as one of the friendliest cities in the world. Strangers talk to each other, and it\u2019s small enough that everyone you meet is friends with someone you know. Hospitality? We invented it.<\/p>\n

25. Saddle Creek Records Probably Spawned Some Of Your Favorites<\/h2>\n

\"Saddle<\/p>\n

Source: Desaparecidos via Facebook<\/div>\n

Omaha is basically Nashville for indie rock, and Saddle Creek is a big part of it. This record label\u2019s most famous performer is Bright Eyes, but many artists hail from this cozy Omaha recording label, such as:<\/p>\n