Omaha, NE


122 Reviews



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Omaha, NE

About Omaha, NE

Omaha, Nebraska is a vibrant city situated on the Missouri River. With its thriving art and music scene, eclectic dining establishments, and impressive outdoor attractions, there is something for everyone in Omaha. From the world-famous Henry Doorly Zoo to the beautiful Memorial Park and Wildlife Safari, visitors have plenty of options to explore. Culture and history buffs will appreciate the city's many museums while shoppers can find all they need at Westroads Mall or Omaha's Old Market. Mid-sized-city complex - Extreme eastern Nebraska along Missouri River at Iowa border.

State: Nebraska
County: Douglas County
Metro Area: Omaha-Council Bluffs Metro Area
City: Omaha
Zip Codes: 68104, 68107, 68116, 68134, 68164, 68135, 68137, 68144, 68105, 68154, 28 total
Cost of Living:
Time zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Elevation: 982 ft above sea level

This metropolitan area includes Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city, and Council Bluffs, a more industrial city on the Iowa bank of the Missouri River. As a gateway to the Great Plains, Omaha is historically a world-class livestock, meat packing, and grain-shipping city. The city has always been a gateway and transportation center, starting with the Lewis and Clark expedition and later as the eastern terminus of the transcontinental Union Pacific Railroad. Today the city’s diverse economy includes food production and insurance- Mutual of Omaha, ConAgra, and Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Company have headquarters here. Led by Mr. Buffett, Omaha reportedly has more millionaires per capita than any other U.S. city.

Typically Midwestern, the city is well-kept and not flashy. The Downtown is clean and modern, with attractive redevelopment in former rail yards along the Missouri River waterfront. There are attractive new high-rise residential developments along the waterfront and a nice historic district. Shaded streets and older suburbs cover the hills north and immediately west of town, while newer development lies in the flatter areas to the west along I-80 and I-680. Attractive, well-spaced suburbs lead into the country through Boys Town (named after the major facility of that name), Papillion to the south, Elkhorn to the west in the North Platte Valley, all the way to Wahoo. The latter is a small Scandinavian farming community starting to grow as a nice rural alternative with access to Lincoln to the south. Housing values throughout the area are excellent.

The Strategic Air Command headquarters and nearby Offutt Air Force Base provide a sizable military presence, and Creighton University brings a college-town element. The harsh climate can be rough, and crime rates are a little high for the region.

Omaha is situated on the west bank of the Missouri River. The narrow river valley gives way to hills and ridges rising about 350 feet above the valley. Lush deciduous trees cover the hills, especially to the north, while the land to the west and south is more level and open as prairie and farmland. The climate is typically continental with relatively warm summers and cold, dry winters. It is situated midway between two distinctive climatic zones, the humid east and the dry west. Fluctuations between the two produce weather conditions characteristic of either zone or combinations of both. Omaha is also affected by most storm systems crossing the country, causing periodic and rapid changes in weather (especially during winter months). Most precipitation falls during strong summer showers or thunderstorms, mainly in the evening or nighttime. Although winters are relatively cold, precipitation is light. Wind can be significant, particularly to the west. First freeze is mid-October, last is late April.

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Omaha Cost of Living

Stable economy, cost of living, and arts and culture make Omaha a great place to live.

$252,100
-34.1% lower than avg
$65,359
-5.6% lower than avg
8.6 / 5.0
Comfort Index
summer/winter
Omaha Crime
56.6 / 100
Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low) to 100 (high). US average: 35.4
Minimum annual income
To live comfortably in Omaha, Nebraska
$48,240
for a family
$37,600
for a single person
Pros & Cons of Omaha
   Stable economy
Entertainment
   Cost of living
Outdoor recreation
   Arts and culture
Harsh winters
Reviews for Omaha
    See all (122)

Over 1 years ago
Born and raised in Omaha, moved to the Pacific Northwest for 50 years, and now back in Omaha. Feels safe, secure, good health care, lots of activities. Compared to  More
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Over 1 years ago
Many of the reviews say Omaha is good for family life - it is, but it also offers the best of quality urban living. I've lived here for 20 years, after living in  More
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Pros: Not much happens, no news is good news. No major tornadoes for decades!! Education can be good in areas. Career opportunities for those who take risks and  More
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