Towns that want new blood (Grand Island, Aurora: fit in, home, employment)

[pie in ear]

Hello,
I am trying to find a place to move to that will be open to new people.
I know it is natural for small communities to be tight and not very open to new blood. THis is not a criticism. I just wondered if anyone here is aware of towns that seem to integrate their newcomers into their community. Another way to say it is: are there towns that newcomers are glad they moved to?

I do realize this is not a black and white thing. Of course there are degrees to everything. My experience is very clear on some towns that do and dont welcome new blood in New England.

THanks very much.

[mtgman3mil]

Kimball, Nebraska. Beautiful small town in western NE and the people are very nice

[kosnebbear]

As long as you want to become a part of any community in Nebraska as a newcomer you will be integrate into their community. It will all depend upon you. As for the BigRedIdoit disregard his posting as I do not think that this individual is even in Nebraska and if they are then this individual is free to leave if they hate Nebraska as much as it seems. Plus you do not have to like the Big Red as we just love to see a good game. No where else in the country will you see the home fans stand and give the visiting team a stand ovation after the game win or lose it does not matter to us.

Welcome to Nebraska if you decide on moving here.

[junedee]

Kimball is a very nice small town. School sports are tops here and right now Kimball Days is being planned. It used to be called Farmer's Day but it was changed a few years back. Lots of things for the kids to do from age 1 and on up to over 100. Parade, hamburger feed. County Fair 4-H.
Kids can rid bikes all over town and not worry, got to the parks, play ball at the 4 Winds golf course, tennis etc.
We are close to Cheyenne, WY for shopping and Ft Collins and Denver Co.

[Sioux Flay]

Originally Posted by kosnebbear

As long as you want to become a part of any community in Nebraska as a newcomer you will be integrate into their community. It will all depend upon you. As for the BigRedIdoit disregard his posting as I do not think that this individual is even in Nebraska and if they are then this individual is free to leave if they hate Nebraska as much as it seems. Plus you do not have to like the Big Red as we just love to see a good game. No where else in the country will you see the home fans stand and give the visiting team a stand ovation after the game win or lose it does not matter to us.

Welcome to Nebraska if you decide on moving here.

NOT necessarily, but overall you'll find some VERY wonderful people, but frankly don't count on a welcome wagon. I just take issue with the "if you want it you got it" (as being members of a community) because that's not true. BUT, a few very wonderful people will make you feel a little less "outsiderish."

[itsMeFred]

The most welcoming Nebraska town I've moved to (near) was Dunning Nebraska. County seat/biggest town in Blaine co., population about 80. Job opportunities are slim.
Anything bigger than that and you're probably going to have some of that small-town stand-off-ishness. I won't say that they don't want new blood, it's just that most small towns in rural Nebraska are on a decline (the same is not true for those within 50 miles of major cities). People are naturally a bit hesitant to get close to someone who's probably just going to move...

Big towns (in my mind, that's abou 3,000 and up) and you're not going to see that so much. There are more job opportunities and less outward migration. There are also more social exposures as there are more clubs and organizations to get involved in.

In a truly small town, though, the best way to meet people in at church and the local bar.

[Earniefan]

Aurora is a very progressive community. It's near Grand Island for more job opportunities.

If you have children I would only move to a small Nebraska town if they're still in elementary school. Small towns are very clique, and unless you're fairly well off(known to other parents in the community) it can be hard for kids in middle school or high school to fit in.

[MomsHugs]

Look at Burwell & Minden... both progressive communities in terms of going out to bring employment in & involvement as a community. Younger families have moved there to raise their children & breathed new life into the towns. I agree it is much easier the younger your kids are, but these are great towns for retirees, too!
See my posts in "Worst Towns" thread (pg 16) for my reasons IMHO....