Work-life balance has become a hot topic of conversation within the business world and in personal discussions. Everyone wants to be able to earn a living yet not sacrifice their personal lives in the process. What, exactly, is work-life balance? As the phrase implies, it’s the balance between maintaining both work and personal endeavors. It’s being able to make a decent income while not having to work excessive hours to make ends meet. It’s shorter commute times and a reasonable cost of living. When it comes to work-life balance, not all states and cities are on a level playing field. Some are better than others, and Nebraska overall rates highly compared to other states as having excellent work-life balance. Some Nebraska cities rate especially favorably when it comes to work-life balance.
Source: wikimedia.org
“Omaha” is more than a word that the Super Bowl-winning former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning frequently voiced on the football field. It’s the largest city in Nebraska, with more than 422,000 residents on the eastern edge of Nebraska that rates as one of the best cities in the country, and therefore the state, for work-life balance. The average number of hours worked per week in Omaha is about 38, and the average commute time is about 18 minutes, which is very low compared to the rest of the country. The city also has a low unemployment rate, so job opportunities are not difficult to come by. There are also plenty of recreational activities in the area, so outside of work, people can relax and unwind.
Home to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln has a population of more than 262,000 and is named after the United States’ 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Honest Abe would be proud of this city, the capital of Nebraska, which is tucked in the southeast part of the state. It rates not just as one of the best cities for work-life balance in the state but also in the entire country. The average number of hours worked weekly is just about 37, and commute times are just about 18 minutes. As is the case with Omaha, that commute time is extremely low compared to most of the country. This leaves residents plenty of time to enjoy life outside of work. Also like Omaha, Lincoln has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, so residents don’t tend to have an extremely difficult time finding jobs. Cities that are home to colleges typically have a decent work-life balance, and this is definitely true for Lincoln.
Source: wikimedia.org
Located in the south-central part of Nebraska and to the north of the Platte River, the town of Kearney was named after Fort Kearny in the mid-19th century. Its spelling was changed to add the “e” as a result of postmen mistakenly adding the “e.” The 2010 census reported the Kearney population being close to 31,000. As a result of the lower population, Kearney’s commute times tend to be modest. Employment opportunities can be prevalent, with some of the top employers being Good Samaritan Hospital, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Buckle, Baldwin Filters, and Eaton. Dave Heineman, governor of Nebraska, has said that the town will contribute to building a new Nebraska technology and data center park. The University of Nebraska-Kearney makes its home in the town, and again, towns with colleges often have good work-life balance.
Source: wikimedia.org
Located just about midway between Omaha and Lincoln in the eastern part of the state, Fremont has a population of more than 26,000 and is located along the Platte River in Dodge County. Because of the location, the city has easy access to both Omaha and Lincoln, and many people commute to and from Omaha because of easy highway access. True to its historical economy, Fremont still has much agriculture-related business. Hormel, the meat company, is the largest employer in Fremont. Jobs also abound in the industries of food processing, teleservices, and metal fabrication and at the Fremont Area Medical Center. Outside of work, residents can enjoy downtown Fremont, which is home to numerous buildings that are on the National Register of Historic Places. Various local festivals, Midland University’s Musbach Art Center, the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, an elaborate water park, and 21 city parks provide just a few of the local ways to unwind and promote work-life balance.
If your priority is to succeed in your working life yet also have plenty of time for family, friends, and personal pursuits while having an affordable cost of living, consider some of these towns and cities when you’re looking for Nebraska housing. When you’re in the market for a new home, we have even more information to share with you about all these towns. Contact us and we’ll help you find a great home while staying focused on work-life balance.
