What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Omaha, NE?

Are you debating whether to move to Omaha? You are not alone. The city has evolved over the years, with a reputation for friendly people, a great dining scene, and thriving businesses. Despite being among the top 50 cities in the US, Omaha still maintains its small-town charm, attracting most people. The city has been named among the great places one can stay in the Midwest. With such high praise, we understand why one would want to move there.

Living in Omaha comes with several pros, like low cost of living, affordable housing, and quality education. Also, the city boasts several outdoor activities, including Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, ranked among the top five zoos in the world. On the other hand, the cons include extreme weather, lack of diversity, and a high crime rate in some parts.

If you are wondering if you should move to Omaha, read on and see if the place can work for you.

Related Guide: The Safest Neighborhoods in Omaha, NE

When deciding on a place to move, one of the most significant considerations is the cost of living. Eventually, it will determine the kind of lifestyle you will have in that location. In Omaha, living costs are significantly lower if you compare it to other large cities in the US. That means you enjoy all the benefits that come with a large town without paying the high cost of living.

The cost of living is about 8% lower than the national average of most large cities. In fact, according to Penny Hoarder, the city has been named among the best for millennials to thrive. In 2016, the town was named among the most affordable areas one can live in in the US. The lower cost of living allows residents to at times pocket up to 71% of their income.

On housing alone, the median value of a home is approximately $161,000. In most US cities, the median home value was $284,600 as of May 2020, with the value expected to rise. With such a vast disparity, you can see how that would reflect on the cost of living.

Apart from housing, the general cost of health care, transportation, utilities, among other services, is affordable.

Omaha has incredible days and nightlife! There is never a shortage of things to do, no matter what your likes and hobbies are.

Love concerts? Well, you are in luck because it’s the home of Indie Rock, and there are always concerts and live music events going on. Additionally, there are several bars that have live music, pretty much any day of the week.

Whether you are into fashion or just want to get out of the house, there are many places to shop. You can find everything from malls to quiet boutiques. Plus, going to Nebraska Furniture Mart is always a must.

When it comes to education in Omaha, it ranks high at both national and state levels. The rankings are usually based on enrollment rates, student and parent review, and teacher to student ratios. Additionally, the city boasts one of the highest public school graduation rates in the US.

Most of these education studies measure elements like the quality of education and safety, reading test scores, dropout rates, and certified teachers. Omaha ranked 7th in ensuring student safety and 11th in quality of education. The rate of student dropout was also significantly low compared to other big cities.

Additionally, several great community colleges there give students various options. The private, like Creighton University, and public, such as University of Nebraska Omaha, colleges and universities are great.

The overall livability score of this city is above average compared to other cities. The score is usually based on the cost of living, education, employment rates, overall happiness of residents, and crime.

For instance, the city boasts a steady economy, especially for people in the tech world. Recently, it was ranked top among upcoming tech hotspots. That is good reason enough to motivate you to launch your tech startup.

When it comes to having fun and recreational facilities, the city is not left behind. It has a large number of restaurants serving a wide variety of cuisines. Forget about the chain restaurants and explore the different food joints for a variety of tastes. The entertainment scene is also booming, with various art and cultural centers hosting big events every year.

According to the bureau of labor statistics, the unemployment rate in Omaha is low, about 3%. That means nearly anyone willing to work has a job. When employment rates are that low, that means most people may be in careers they enjoy. As a result, you will find more Omaha residents generally happy, which improves the livability scores of that city.

Whether you are an adult or a child, there are various activities to be enjoyed by everyone in multiple neighborhoods. From art galleries to children’s museums, your weekends will be well spent. You also have numerous choices depending on your personality.

People looking to connect with nature can make a visit to Omaha’s Botanical Garden, Lauritzen Gardens, to explore a wide range of flowers and herbs. If you enjoy art, make your way down to Joslyn Art Museum, which features art by various artists.

If you are into pro sports, you may be a little disappointed that there isn’t a pro sports team. However, there are plenty of sports to keep you entertained.

The Omaha Storm Chasers are a Triple A baseball team, and they are affiliated with the Kansas City Royals! The environment at the games is so fun; you won’t want to leave. Even if you aren’t a huge baseball fanatic, the $1 beers might be enough to keep you around.

Plus, baseball fans will be glad to know that the College World Series is always in Omaha.

If you compare Omaha to other cities that are densely populated, the crime rate is higher. Nearly half the population is concerned about their safety. With security being among the top factors that people consider before moving to a place, this is definitely a turnoff.

A majority of crimes committed in this city are related to property crimes. The common types range from burglary, theft, and robbery. On a scale of 1 to 100, Omaha is at 56.6 while the US average is at 35.4. Violent crimes are also common in this city, which worries most residents.

Most of the crime challenges facing Omaha are the same, just like any other city. Therefore, you will need to practice safety, especially at night, where areas not well lit can be dangerous. Also, you will need to up your home security game if you want to discourage robbers from breaking in.

Because Nebraska is located in the center of the United States, it’s understandable that there are no oceans nearby. While there are some lakes, they aren’t going to compare to the beaches at the ocean.

While most of the state is located smack dab in the middle of the plains and is fairly flat, the scenery may not be your cup of tea. You will have to travel if you want to take in the views of the mountains or other sights.

Residents who have lived there a long time or are born there appreciate the flatlands and the stunning sunsets. However, it’s not for everyone.

If you aren’t a fan of people and large cities, you may rethink moving to Omaha. You can almost be sure that everywhere you go, people will be friendly and try to start a conversation.

Even though it’s an urban area, it still has a down-home country feel. Whether you are at the farmers market or the movie theater, there is a strong chance that you’ll run into lots of people.

Because life is very fast-paced there, you will most likely always be on the go. There are neighborhoods in the town that are perfect for retirees and people who want peace and quiet. But, you are going to have to work closely with a real estate professional to ensure you find out about them quickly. They are highly coveted areas for families and people who are retired.

Living in Nebraska in general means that you are going to be subjected to a considerable variation in temperature. In the summer months, you can fully expect temperatures to reach 100 degrees.

With the high humidity, it can be downright miserable at times. Thankfully, it doesn’t get that hot all the time, just a few days a year.

In the winter, the temperatures go to the other extreme. It’s not uncommon to have days when it’s 10-15 degrees. While those days can be rough, it’s good to know it doesn’t happen all the time.

On average, there is around 30.5 inches of snow a year and 31 inches of rain. So, it’s not incredibly wet and snowy.

Tornadoes are another issue when it comes to weather. While natives are used to tornadoes here and there, it’s hard to adjust to.

Related Questions

What is Omaha best known for?

Omaha is famous for having the best zoos in the world. The Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is considered a conservation park. It houses the world’s biggest indoor desert and the biggest indoor rainforest in North America. You will undoubtedly have something to do over the weekend.If the zoo does not appeal to you, how about the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, another major attraction? The 3,000-foot bridge floats over the Missouri River linking over 150 biking and hiking trails. For those days when you feel motivated to exercise, take a hiking trail and end up on this fantastic bridge.In terms of business, five fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Omaha. They range from the food packaging industry to construction companies, among others. This certainly contributes to the low unemployment rate in Omaha.

Is Omaha a good place to live?

Omaha is considered a great place to stay for families, young professionals, and retirees. It has affordable health care with good hospitals and research facilities. Child healthcare is also prioritized, with various hospitals dedicated to enhancing how Americans look after their children.Forbes ranked this city as one of the best for raising a family due to affordable housing, good schools, and ease of commuting. In addition to that, you will find several family-friendly activities. There is the children’s museum, and you can also find great venues for parties.The food and scenery are excellent. You have probably heard of the great burgers and steaks you will find in Omaha. Chefs have also upped their game by trying new concepts to ensure your outdoor dining experience will be worth it.If you are wondering if you should move to Omaha, the above cons and pros can help you make a decision. Expect to find a city filled with many young people who are about to start families. The median range is about 34 years, and if you fall in that bracket, you are likely to fit in.What other activities and attractions make Omaha a nice place to live? You can give the city a tour and see what it has to offer.