The Vibe: A Big City With A Small Town Feel
When it comes down to it,
Omaha basically feels like a really big small town. While it’s the largest city in Nebraska, the metro population still rests well under a million residents, with only 400,000 in the city limits. Thanks to these smaller numbers, people in Omaha are a lot more interconnected than those you’d find in bigger places like New York City, delivering a great community feel with a sort of “everyone knows everyone” phenomenon rearing it’s head quite frequently.
Above all, Omaha is noteworthy for being a great place to raise a family, with affordable living, tons of entertainment and amenities for all ages, and less hustle and bustle than you’d expect to find elsewhere. If you’re looking for a place filled with friendly residents living a lifestyle that’s far from overwhelming, Omaha might be the place for you.
Local Flavor: Omaha Residents Love Big Events
Despite being a relatively small big city, Omaha always has something going on, with a wide range of events coming to town for adults and the whole family, alike. Aside from being known for the very vibrant live music scene in the area, there are also several annual events that the residents of this city support year after year.
Two of the most noteworthy happenings include the NCAA Men’s College World Series, an event that’s been going on since the 1950s bringing a 10-day festival along with it, as well as the MAHA Music Festival, an indie rock show that features bands on two stages during an 11-hour day.
Cuisine: Traditional Favorites Meet New Age Dining
If you want to dine in Omaha in the most traditional way, you’ve got to head to one of the many local steakhouses for a huge chunk of Omaha meat. One of the most popular is Gorat’s, a steakhouse known for hosting Warren Buffet on a regular basis.
However, the food scene in Omaha doesn’t just stop at what’s been traditionally a favorite. In recent years, tons of cool new age restaurants have been popping up around town, providing an eclectic mix of dining options for the residents. The food truck scene has also been springing to life in recent years, with a couple must-try’s being the Localmotive Food Truck and Local Hawaiian Grindz.
There’s also this regional dish called a “Runza.” If you haven’t had the chance to try this Nebraskan classic before, it’s a dough pocket that’s typically filled with things like beef, pork, sauerkraut, cabbage, onions, and a variety of other seasonings.
Nightlife: This Diverse Scene Has Something For Everyone
While Omaha is a city where most businesses tend to turn off the lights the second the sun sets, there is a very diverse local nightlife scene that stays alive into the wee hours of the night. The most popular area to head after hours is the Downtown/Old Market district, filled with a wide array of clubs, bars, and restaurants.
While there’s often a great mix of people from various walks of life out, most places around this city tend to feel like they’re watering holes for one of the several local colleges, with the occasional young professional thrown into the mix.
However, in recent years, lots of growth to the nightlife scene has started to attract a more diverse crowd. A few places you’re sure to love include Krug Park, Library Pub, and Beercade, a pub built around retro arcade games.
Weather: Hope You Don’t Mind A Little Winter Chill
Experiencing four seasons throughout the year with a long, cold winter, it can take a little time to get used to the climate in Omaha. Summer temperatures technically average 73 degrees, but there are plenty days that are of outliers throughout the hotter months with sweltering temperatures much higher than that. Then suddenly, after a short fall, the winter rolls in.
Known for being cold and windy, the average winter temperature is 29 degrees, with many days being much, much colder. Most of the long-time locals don’t seem to mind, especially with some local restaurants offering discounts on the coldest days of the year, but the chilly air will definitely catch you off guard your first full year in town.
Safety & Crime: It’s Getting Safer By The Year
With a crime rate of 5,071 reported criminal acts per 100,000 residents, things are a little more dangerous in Omaha than when compared to the national average of 3,099 reported acts per 100,000. However, note that an inflated crime rate statistic is typical for larger cities and that many of the suburbs and surrounding areas in Nebraska boast a much lower rate.
It’s also important to mention that a lot of the crime tends to be restricted to certain areas of town, making it easy to avoid. In reality, you’ll rarely feel unsafe in Omaha. Plus, crime has been dropping by roughly 2 percent each year, meaning that things are taking a turn in the best direction possible.
Commute: You Won’t Dread Driving In Omaha
You’ll definitely want a car in Omaha, but you’ll never stress about getting to work on time. While public transportation is lacking in the local area with the exception of a bus system, the local highway system and grid layout making getting around this city easy, with an average local commute time of only 18 minutes each way. Omaha is also noteworthy for being very walkable, weather permitting, home to an extensive trail system that’s perfect for making the city accessible for walkers, bikers, and runners.
Cost Of Living: Omaha Is Totally Affordable
One city sure to deliver a great bang for your buck, Omaha scores a 90 on the same cost of living scale that puts average America at an even 100. This means things are quite a bit cheaper in this Nebraskan city, with the most savings being seen through things like utilities, transportation, and housing. The average home cost in Omaha is only around $132,900, nearly $50,000 less than the national average of $181,400. One things for sure, your dollar will go quite a bit further here.
Amenities: No Boring Days Here
It’s easy to find cool attractions around Omaha perfect for any day of the week, whether you’re spotting exotic animals or visiting one of the many local art galleries around town. Two of the most popular attractions include the Henry Doorly Zoo, voted the world’s best zoo by trip advisor and home to over 17,000 animals, as well as Joslyn Art Museum, the only museum in Nebraska with a permanent collection that’s comprehensive enough to feature works from ancient Greece, Western America, and much more.
Schools: There’s Always Someone Learning In Omaha
With an education system that’s worth bragging about regardless of the level, Omaha is a great place to go to school. Primary education in Omaha has a great 16 to 1 student to teacher ratio, even more impressive when you consider what’s typical for most urban areas, as well as an 84 percent graduation rate.
There are also 11 colleges and universities in the local area, including well-known schools like University of Nebraska-Omaha and Creighton University. With so many local students, Omaha can tend to feel like a huge college town from time to time, in the best way possible, as this young and vibrant demographic helps to bring even more life to these city streets throughout the year.
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