Des Moines vs. Omaha

[pepe1]

Originally Posted by metroplex2003

I agree. Omaha has made strides. IF it continues to boom west, we could have a mini-Twin Cities or Dallas/Ft. Worth in the next few decades.

??? The Twin Cities has well over 3 million residents & DFW substantially more than the Twin Cities. I fail to see any correlation between those two cities and Omaha, Nebraska.

[kingbk]

Skyline: Omaha has the taller skyline, but I find the buildings in Des Moines to be better designed and more unique. This is a close call, but due to the beautiful capital building, I'll give this one to Des Moines.

Cleanliness: Omaha, where I lived for over 18 years, isn't nearly as gritty as it once was, but it still has that feeling of grittiness throughout. Des Moines feels a lot more clean. Advantage: Des Moines.

Colleges: Omaha has a major private university in Creighton, a solid public university in UNO and many community colleges. Des Moines has a solid private university in Drake... and that's about it. Advantage: Omaha.

Weather: Flip a coin. They tie on this one.

Economy: Omaha has four Fortune 500 companies: ConAgra, Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific and Kewitt. Des Moines has maybe one or two. Advantage: Omaha.

Entertainment: Omaha has the Qwest Center, Old Market and Zoo. Des Moines has it's entertainment center and Adventureland. This one is a close call for me, but I think because it gets a few more concerts and big name events I'll give it to Omaha, though Des Moines having a theme park gives it a lot more weight.

Environment: Both are pretty typical Midwest feel. I say they tie.

Distance: Omaha is 3 and a half hours away from Kansas City and an hour from Lincoln for Husker games... other than that, it's at least four hours to anything worth driving to. Des Moines is only a few hours away from Chicago, St. Louis and Minneapolis. Advantage: Des Moines.

Overall: Neither place is that exciting or spectacular, but they aren't that bad either. If I had to pick one, I think I'd go with Omaha because the economy is a bit stronger and there are more choices for higher education. However, the Midwest is really not my scene, so that's why I left, but some people like it and if you do, you'll have a good life in either place.

[El Rhino]

As far as colleges go in Des Moines we also have Grandview and a couple other private schools in the metro area but yeah, UNO seals the deal for Omaha.

[El Rhino]

Originally Posted by pepe1

??? The Twin Cities has well over 3 million residents & DFW substantially more than the Twin Cities. I fail to see any correlation between those two cities and Omaha, Nebraska.

He did say "mini" and I believe he's referring to Omaha and Lincoln growing towards each other.

[metroplex2003]

Originally Posted by El Rhino

He did say "mini" and I believe he's referring to Omaha and Lincoln growing towards each other.

Yes I was referring to Lincoln and OMaha growing towards each other and yes was referring to "miniature version."

It'll take a lifetime to match the 6.5 million people here in the DFW area.

[metroplex2003]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

So for 8 days a year one city is better? The other thing about college towns is that when they kids aren't in school those towns tend to die down.

I realize I'm way late to this thread on Omaha vs Des Moines but I have a few comments.

People who say they are similar, I don't think have a full understanding of either and most tend to be from Des Moines. Omaha feels bigger than Des Moines because Omaha has more of a built urbanity by being the bigger city longer. Nothing against Des Moines, it's just history. That is the biggest difference between them. No point in comparing suburbs because they are the same as everywhere.

I agree, Omaha does feel bigger, but I do believe much like Sioux Falls, urbanization in NE naturally gravitates towards Omaha/Lincoln cooridor.
The iowa urban areas are spread out...aka Sioux City, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, DAvenport, Dubuque, Waterloo/Cedar Falls....
So lot more urban areas to gravitate to.

[Go Ne]

Well the other cities of Nebraska are rising too, particularly Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney.

[El Rhino]

Ok. This thread has ran it's course.