SperlingViews - Omaha, Nebraska

nothing to do[read more...]

Omaha NE is a very small town having moved on corporate transfer. It's the worst place a headache/migraine sufferer could live from end of Feb - mid Sep. Thunderstorms reck havoc on your body. Nice and beautiful then an hour later your sick. My least favorite place I've lived out of 10 moves. Summer humidity is a killer also. . Enjoy the four seasons but it's unattrictive looking in winter. Most people I meet have lived here all their lives and have large family ties. It's hard to make friends if you don't have kids or go to a religious connection. [read more...]

I have lived in Omaha, NE for over 50 years. There only a few thing not to like here, part of november, December, January ,February , and part of March. Winter days are short and can be cold. You get up in the dark, go to work, and come home in the dark. Bundle up if you want to walk outdoors. Once winter passes days get longer,and the weather improves. You can drive to and from anywhere in this city in minutes, providing it is not rush hour. The strongest economy in the nation. Every thing you need or could want is here for a family. Fall is the most liked season by Nebraskans because of the tree colors and perfect climate, and Nebraska football. The Huskers seems to effect every one who lives here. Many drive to lincoln, NE (60 miles away) to see the games. If it weren't for the winter months I would never consider leaving.[read more...]

crime rate is high here.[read more...]

I'm looking to best living and best school for my daughter's future [read more...]

I have been in Omaha Ne all my life, It is a great place to raise a family, plenty of jobs, great education opportunities, and has all 4 seasons. I personally am not a fan of the 6 months of winter, so plan on moving soon.Omaha has been constantly growing over the last 10 years, but there still is no amusement parks for us thrill seekers. I feel Sales tax is a little steep for such a small city. Cost of living is low with the exception of real estate and vehicle tax is a real blow to the wallet. But if you are one that likes to have all 4 seasons, with pretty hot and humid summers, wet springs, beautiful autumns, and Cold White Winters! then Omaha is for you [read more...]

I moved to Omaha 4 years ago from Texas. This city is booming nicely (not too fast but at a good pace) and the arts and cultural institutions are excellent. The corporate support for events and facilities is amazing. There's usually multiple events going on at one time and so many of the events are free. People here are so nice and the pace is relaxed and you just don't see the stress that you find in most cities. Also people are extremely involved and are proud to call Omaha home.[read more...]

If you aren't about of the small good ol' boy network in this city of conservative, Catholic businessmen, then you might as well move somewhere else as they make all the decisions and foot the rest of the folks with the tax bill to pay for it all.[read more...]

We’ve lived here for four years and it is simply time to move on. While we are middle-aged, we are too young in spirit to go quietly into the night of typical midwestern pastimes such as scrap-booking, watching sports, eating, etc. This place is not good for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities because you are often hampered by the weather, but the lack of infrastructure and cultural values of this town in this regard certainly add insult to injury. Drivers often view pedestrians and cyclists as a nuisance and often cruelly display their displeasure by blaring on horns inappropriately, cutting you very close as they drive by, etc. The average Omahan just doesn’t get it and is content to stay holed up in one’s tacky McMansion watching the Huskers on a wide screen television. For us, there’s more to life than that--a life based on experiences, flow activities, that certainly do not involve passive, directionless activities. For us, working here has been a mixed bag. One of us had a very positive work environment and the other worked in one that was really toxic. People here tend to ascribe to a “herd mentality” and would not think of bucking convention. If you do not ascribe to cultural norms such as church and family, you are basically asking to be ostracized. In addition, the general blandness that permeates Omaha makes for a pretty dull existence that some would find stifling. If that is you, the low cost of living may not offset this---It didn’t for us. Besides, the taxes are absurdly high for what little this region has to offer. We’ve had a heck of a time fitting in, but seemed to have made a few friends here, and interestingly enough, they have either since moved away or plan on doing so within the next year. We are moving to Colorado sometime this summer. While Colorado certainly is no utopia, we can at least have some semblance of a life. [read more...]

Read many of the posts here. A little bit of truth in most of them, probably, from the good to the otherwise.[read more...]

Moved to Omaha from Florida about a year ago and moving out at the end of the month. It's not a terrible place by any means, but there's just not enough to do. Everyone here loves the Huskers and drinking. Most people are Catholic and conservative. A zoo, some cobblestone downtown and having Warren Buffett as a resident aren't enough to make me pay the high taxes that make up for the low cost of living. People are nice, but hard to make close friends because most already have their groups from high school and are closed minded to new additions or thoughts. I'm seeking more outdoor recreation, which is why I'm moving to Colorado. Maybe this is a utopia if you want to raise a family, but I'm far, far away until I get to that point in my life.[read more...]

I read some reviews on Omaha. I am retired now and live in another state. I really enjoyed Omaha. It is a great city and especially nice place to raise a family. The people are friendly and I consider it one of the nicest places I ever lived. But the TAXES! No one warned me what a high tax state Nebraska is. Property taxes are through the roof. License your vehicle and be ready for sticker shock. And worst of all, there is absolutely nada benefits for retirees. There are many, many states that give seniors tax breaks but Nebraska is not one of them. I looked at the situation when I retired and I got out of Dodge as fast as I could. Nebraska has to do 100% better in giving its senior citizens some tax relief. [read more...]

My husband and I were forced to stay here in Omaha after the government screwed up a job offer that was moving us through to Ohio, had a "firm" offer in hand, gave notice to our employers, packed everything, etc. Being former military we have lived in a variety of places, including Offut AFB at one point in time. We had no choice but to stop and try to find work (relocating is NOT cheap,ate almost all of our savings). I have no idea where Sperling's gets the idea this is a "great" place to relocate to. We were used to renting a decent sized house, fairly new construction for between $1100-$1200 a month. Apartments of 1,200 sq. ft. for two bed, two bath, garden soaking tubs, water paid, etc with full fitness centers and garage were running $900 per month....here for anything decent, plan on spending a minimum of $1,600 a month if you rent, plus utilities, plus food. If you buy, be prepared for an outrageous property tax bill. A $225,000 home will cost you between $4,500 to $6,000 a year depending on district. The roads continually need repair and gas prices come close to what they run in San Francisco. I was fortunate enough to find a job, however the pay is 30% less than I am used to making and its salary, not hourly, even worse! There is not much to do here in Omaha, the skyline is boring, the weather is rarely good. I agree that everyone is Catholic and has attended Creighton! And OMG if you aren't a Husker's fan. We're stuck here for awhile though.....just counting the time until we can move down to either Kansas City or back out to San Francisco. Regardless of the "stats" there are jobs in San Fran, more places to go and things to go and better pay for roughly the same cost of living. Sure 5% unemployment sounds good, but if the jobs don't pay enough to make a decent living on....then as far as I am concerned the unemployment here is the same as the rest of the country.[read more...]

My opinion of Omaha. They build a unnecessary bridge to walk from one side of the downtown area to another,and a unnecessary stadium for all the baseball fans, if you are not a Husker fan, they think you are an alien, but their loyalty greatly fades if the Huskers are not winning. The winters are freezing and the roads are constantly in need of repair or in the process of repair, which seems like it take can as long as 2 or 3 years to complete, depending on where you live. They don't provide for the homeless and women with chidren who need assistance, but they build a new animal shelter that is state of the art, while the homeless have to wait for an opening and meantime sleep under cardboard boxes in minus 0 degree weather. The property taxes are way out of sight compared to other cities in the midwest and the South. Plus the doctors here are some of the worst Dr's I have ever seen. UNMC is supposed to be one of the best medical facilities in the nation. However try to get in to see a rheumatologist or another specialist and you have to wait 4 or 5 mos. and they won't let you see one of the other dr's on staff if your dr. has no appts for 4 or 5 mos.Plus many of the doctors I have seen there also contract out to the VA hospital and also teach therefore in my opinion do not provide quality care, because they are too busy. Other doctors there seem to have a "I don't really care about you, or your health care needs". Creighton is the same. Poor doctors. rated as some of the worst on Rate an MD site. In order to get respect you seem to have to be one of the 'elete' rich people. The welfare system sucks, so people who really do need help are treated like scum.[read more...]

Omaha is the town of extremes. Either you are a big prude who thinks Sarah Palin is a genius, follows the Catholic bishop like he has the secret of life, watches Husker football religiously, and never thinks about ever leaving Nebraska or you are an emo who worships Conor Oberst, goes to all the Saddle Creek concerts, and complains about the lack of "culture" or "diversity" in the town. Me, I'm neither. I've been to the zoo, I've been to the Old Market, and I'm bored to death of this city disguised as a town. Forbes and all those magazines can keep saying how great this place is, but low cost of living isn't enough to keep me here.[read more...]

COOL SHIT: Omaha has a lot to offer. We have the College World Series (by a thread) which brings in a lot of tourism and business for local restaurants. Close to good ol' Rosemblatt is the Henry Doorly Zoo which is ranked 4th best zoo in the country. There's a diversity of entertainment including your garden variety malls, restaurants, night clubs, movie theatres, etc; but one thing that sets us apart from everyone else is the incredible, OLD MARKET!. This place is like God took pitty on a struggling town and went hmmm lets make this area 9 sq. blocks of shopping heaven. The best part is, its not just shopping, a variety of outdoor markets, the best food on the face of this chunk of rock (this side of the ocean), and many cute little trinket shops and art galleries. Omaha provides a good down to earth touch of reality, which could be beneficial or it could slightly slap you in the face. Communities here exibit a very strong bond, stronger so then you might see in other places. Although i was born and raised here, Ive lived all over and Ive never seen such a commitment in a community or neighborhood as Ive seen anywhere in Omaha. We're about 400,000 strong so that gives a small town sorta feel, but it also provides with a large city exceccibility. STUPID SHIT: Omaha politics are a little retarded and....no thats about it. We built a stupid walkway from omaha to council bluffs which is to promote healthy living or some shit. but if Omaha is ranked 144 out of 188 cities across the country that were polled on our health I dont think we're lookin at that bridge any time soon. Another bad thing is if you are poor in the city, you are way poor. The city doesnt care too much about poverty, they worry about the middle class which seems to be everywhere but epecially here. The public school system is bust, and North O is crawling with gangs. but that might be expected in any metropolis area. All and all its a good place for couples or singles and families in some parts.[read more...]

Omaha may not have as large of a selection as a makor Metro but that doesn't mean there is no culture and recreation. Omaha has a pretty cool Durham Museum and Union Pacific Museum. Plenty of museums and art gallery's including the Joslyn. The Henry Doorley Zoo is top of the line and always fun to spend a day in. Just outside of Omaha is Mahoney Park and The SAC,(Air and Space Museum). For baseball fans there are no 2 better weeks then when the college world series comes to town. Freedom Park Navy Muesum is fun if you like war crafts. The Pedestrian Bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska is ok but the Omaha Plaza connected to it is great for the kids. There is plenty of Lewis and Clark activites between Omaha and a short drive south in Nebraska City. There are plenty of bars with live music as well as the new Qwest Center for all entertainment acts. Sports might not be on par with major cities but Omaha has a UFL Pro football team in the Omaha Nighthawks, AAA baseball for the KC Royals, indoor arena football, new major league indoor soccer team, as well as host to the college world series. [read more...]

I grew up in the south. One of the things I like most about the Omaha area (I actually live in Bellevue) is the climate. Yes, it gets very cold in the Winter and it gets very hot in the Summer so you very much look forward to Spring and Fall. I do enjoy the change in seasons. I also like the small town feel here. Unlike a bigger city you can get from one side of the city to the other in no more than 20-30 minutes. And getting around the country is easier due to the central location. You don't have to get to Epply airport 2-3 hours before a flight, one hour is ususlly more than enough. Unemployment is low, crime is not terrible, there are several educational institutions and recreational and cultural opportunities.[read more...]

I'm always amazed at all the negative comments about every city on this site which proves that life is what you make it. I moved from San Diego (paradise right?) to Omaha 4 years ago. I left great weather, horrible traffic, border problems, high expenses, high unemployment, low paying jobs and a state going bankrupt. Omaha has low unemployment, low cost of housing, top rate restaurants, friendly people, great theatre, nice zoo, expanding downtown, easy to get around in, and good shopping for a city this size. It does not have mountains, or ocean and it does have four seasons which include snow and humidity but not as bad as most points south and east and not gloomy and rainy like many points west and not "hotter than hell" as most points southwest. Property taxes are high and the crime is basically concentrated in specific pockets of town. I've come to the conclusion there is no perfect place just a matter of what you're priorities are.[read more...]

I am sure there are worse places to live for example; Hell, the middle east, Wyoming. What bothers me is how this city dont care for the poor and the homeless like they should. We are getting a new stadium that we didnt need, but hundreds are homeless. A stupid bridge was built so people can walk from Omaha to Iowa over the river, but children and women are starving. The values in the city is very rotten PLUS Property tax is too high, too much time and money is wasted on our roads 12 mo a year, unless your rich your children wont get a good education, the weather really sucks here in Nebraska winter is the arctic, spring is too short, summer is too short. In the winter most roads are imposable to drive on, garbage is limited to only so many bags and wow I could go on forever and ever how much this town sucks. and moving sadly is not an option for me. [read more...]