What’s different about the community of Aksarben Village in Omaha? If you are familiar with Omaha, you probably know that Aksarben sits in the heart of Elmwood Park, a neighborhood in Midtown. Aksarben Village technically is not a neighborhood, but a development within the neighborhood. The village sits on what used to be the old Ak-sar-ben coliseum and horse racing track. The business was turned over to the county in the 1990's when it became insolvent. Today, Aksarben Village is a retail and entertainment district that includes a number of housing options. If you are looking for a unique vibe at an affordable price, then Aksarben Village Omaha may be just the thing.
One thing that stands out about this small community of 750,000 square feet is the mixture of lifestyles. Aksarben Village is a low to medium income area with almost half the population falling into the 30,000 to 74,999 income bracket. About 35% of the residents living there make less than 30,000 and 18 percent make more than 75,000 dollars a year. Aksarben Village is home to a diverse population by age, as well. The largest age group, just 27%, is between 40 to 64 years old. Another 24 percent fall into the 25 to 39 year age bracket with an additional 30% are younger still. This area has an active senior community, too. They make up 18 percent of the residents there. Of those living in the village, 54% have at least a high school diploma. Another 25 percent have gone to college for an undergraduate degree and 10 percent have a graduate level education. Many of the people with homes there were born in Nebraska, about 68%.
Aksarben Village and the surrounding neighborhood of Elmwood Park offer some affordable housing options. Homes in this area average around 189,900 dollars with a median size of 1,860 square feet. Most of the single-family homes are found outside of the village in Elmwood Park. In the village, there are a number of luxury apartment complexes with studios, one and two bedroom floor plans. The rent is a little higher for these units than what you might find elsewhere in Omaha, but they offer some luxury amenities like a swimming pool, 24-gym and business center. The rent runs from 900 to close to 2,000 dollars a month.
Aksarben Village is a newer development completed in 2011. This gives the village a modern and posh vibe. You see that in many of the businesses that have settled in this small community. Aksarben is home to major corporations like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and First Data. You also see that same trend in the retail establishments found there. Jones Bros. Cupcakes is a mainstay as is Godfather’s pizza and the Juice Shop. There is a small neighborhood grocery story call Wohlner’s and multiple restaurants. You can eat everything from sushi to barbecue in Aksarben Village. The development was designed as a retail and entertainment complex, so that gives businesses a wide berth. For example, you can sit and enjoy a glass of fine cabernet while creating a masterpiece at the Village Canvas and Cabernet. There is a 10-screen digital movie theater that has won the Best of Omaha award for its lush interior. The village caters to niche boutiques like LuvBird and Togs, too.
The overall vibe is one of sophistication, but villagers understand the meaning of fun, as well. The community sponsors events that bring people in from all over to their green space called Stinson Park. In December, the park shines with the Lights of Aksarben, and event that turns the landmark Obelisk into a giant Christmas tree. From May to October, they enjoy a farmer’s market there. There are concerts and art shows during the summer, too. In September, the artists set up their tables in the park for the annual Artsarben festival. This juried show provides live entertainment, kids craft classes and some of the best artisans in the Midwest. When you are not enjoying life in the village, you can spread out and see the sights of Elmwood Park. The neighborhood offers an 18-hole golf course, bike trails, a lagoon and a public swimming pool.
Location, location, location is a key selling point for this community. It is centrally located for easy access to some of Omaha’s mainstream landmarks. You’ll find the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium just a short drive away off I-80. If you take Center Street to Highway 6, you have easy access to the downtown area of Omaha and all it offers including the Old Market and Little Italy districts. Heading the opposite direction takes the Gretna and the new outlet shopping center called Nebraska Crossing. This outdoor mall hosts stores like Nike, Under Armour, Kate Spade, Coach and American Eagle.
