Omaha

About Omaha

Omaha is the most populous city in Nebraska, with a population that's been steadily growing for the past 30 years. The city attracts a number of new residents, thanks to a thriving and diverse economy and many large corporations. Omaha is home to the headquarters of Berkshire Hathaway, the mega-conglomerate led by investing legend Warren Buffett, who also calls the city his home.

Since its early beginnings as a stop on the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Omaha has evolved into one of Nebraska's busiest metropolitan areas.

Things to Do in Omaha

Omaha offers a wide variety of things to do, ranging from family-friendly outings to exciting nightlife. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is home to hundreds of exotic animals and the world's largest rain forest, desert and indoor swamp. It also features a 13-story geodesic dome, which is the biggest of its kind in the world.

The Old Market is a historic section of downtown Omaha with quaint restaurants, cafes, shopping and an exciting nightlife scene. There, you can still walk down the brick-paved streets that provided passageways for horse-drawn carriages many decades ago, and there are several buildings that date to the late 1800s.

Omaha's rich musical roots have resulted in a plethora of local music venues, where you can experience the city's dynamic jazz and blues scene. And although there are no professional sports teams that call Omaha home, the city is devoted to their local minor league baseball teams, and hosts the annual College World Series of Baseball.

Omaha Neighborhoods

Here are just a few of the great neighborhoods that Omaha has to offer:

Aksarben Village

This Omaha neighborhood has a quirky history that's hinted at in its name, the first part of which is "Nebraska" spelled backward. In 1919, a local group called the Knights of Aksarben purchased the area to create a community that promoted educational, cultural and civic enrichment. Today, Aksarben Village has evolved into a modern village-style neighborhood with plenty of dining and entertainment options.

Old Market

Old Market is filled with entertainment, dining and shopping, and on their upper stories, many of its restored historic buildings house apartments with great character. From spring until early fall, the neighborhood hosts the weekly Omaha Farmer's Market, where you can browse locally-grown produce, baked goods, meats and crafts.

Dundee

Known as one of the hip corners of Omaha, Dundee is home to many young families and couples. It offers trendy local boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, and it recently earned distinction as one of the best neighborhoods in America.

Papillion

This Omaha neighborhood started out as a tiny railroad town in the 1870s, and is now a flourishing and diverse family community. In the center of Papillion is Halleck Park, with over 70 acres of green spaces, walking trails, sport courts and a large lake for fishing.

Schools in Omaha

Omaha Public Schools manages most of the public schools, oversees elementary through high school programs in the city and also has technical high schools and alternative learning programs. You can also choose from several award-winning private schools in Omaha, including both faith-based and secular options.

The city is home to several different colleges and universities, with the University of Nebraska Omaha being one of the largest. There are also a handful of top-ranked medical and graduate schools in the city.

Resources for Moving to Omaha

Here's some handy information to make your move to Omaha as easy as possible:

• Utilities: The Omaha Public Power District owns and manages the electric utility. The Metropolitan Utilities district provides water and sewer services.
• Garbage and Recycling: The city conducts regular curbside collection of trash, and you have the option of picking up a designated can to participate in recycling.
• Transportation: Although the primary mode of transportation in Omaha is the single-driver car, there are hundreds of bus stops scattered throughout the city.

Omaha Housing

The home market in Omaha is affordable and diverse, with a range of different types of homes for sale. Whether you want a single-family ranch, a luxury home, a condominium or a custom home, you have plenty of affordable options. The median home price in Omaha falls far below the national average, as does the cost of rent.