What the best town to live in? (Omaha, Lincoln: rental, low crime)

[prolawn_care]

Were looking to move from Colorado to change things up a bit, and was curious on the opinions on the best town in Nebraska? We have 2 kids one is 3 and one is 1 so kid friendly town would be nice, and were a younger couple at 23, and im 24 so were fairly active... So any reason why you like that town over others? And finally any suggestions on property rental companies in that town would be good as well! Thanks a bunch!

[JustMe_T3K]

You will probably want to get a job first and move to that town.

[laserdisque]

What size town are you looking for?

[Omahahonors]

Omaha/Lincoln is the big city anchor of the state with vasts amount of things to do. A very low cost of living and low unemployment rate. Yearly the standard of living is rated in the top 10, mainly in the top 3. A fast growing combined (meaning only 23 miles of empty fields in between, but is not combined yet) MSA of 1,200,000.

Tri-cities area is an up and coming area as it just seems to attract more events, retailers, resteraunts and yet is divided up into a few different city cores. These quick growing area includes Grand Island (near 50,000), Kearney (near 32,000), Hastings (near 26,000) with Aurora, Lexington and York as not very far away.

Ogalala is on a large lake and is near the sand hills region. This sand hills region has three world class golf resorts and is home to more and more ranches owned by people with influence.

Scottsbluff is a good place as it is near the sandhills, badlands and some scenic buttes similar to those seen in New Mexico or Utah. Sidney is home to Cabela's and is between Scottsbluff and Denver. The scenery is pretty awesome in Sidney too.

[CJ411]

I think Omahahonors summed up your options fairly well.

The Omaha/Lincoln areas have a little bit of everything to offer with all the big city spice with very diverse career options.

The tri-city area (Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings) is a newly developing area with strong manufacturing and ag backgrounds. You can drive from either of the towns to another in 25 minutes to an hour depending on your destination. The Info Tech industry has also started taking interest in this area with thriving companies in Kearney and a new company starting in Grand Island. There are also plans to put "prairie bunkers" in Hastings which would house internet servers. As someone living in this area it has been interesting watching as cornfield after cornfield is converted into new housing subdivisions, hotels, restaurants, or strip malls. I think you get the best of big city spice and small town nice in this area with Lincoln and Omaha only 1.5-2 hours down the interstate for weekend trips.

Western Nebraska would be the place to be if you like your outdoor scenery and small town atmosphere, however there are countless small towns speckled throughout the state.

[TTWW55]

If you like a large city, Omaha would be your best choice....then Lincoln. However, if you prefer to live close by but not actually IN a city, there a great communities that surround both of these cities!

Welcome to a great state!

[onehawaii1]

Lincoln.

Low crime compared to Omaha and still some events to do there.

[IsThisOneTaken?]

Ogallala/Lake McConaughy area.

...Already populated by Coloradoans displaced by Californians. Sell your home in CO and buy 2x-3x the home for the same money.

Seriously, lots of good info on here. If employment needs are important, post what you need and maybe people can be more specific.