Relocating to NW Nebraska (Grand Island, Alliance: rentals, home, middle school)

[enigmaticliz]

My family is going to be relocating from Colorado to Nebraska. We are looking at the Chadron or Alliance area. I have looked at Hemingford, and it looks like a great little town. I am having a problem finding rentals there. I have found some rentals in Chadron and Alliance, but they do not accept dogs. Any advice about these areas? Any ideas? I feel like I am going in circles and not finding anything. I have even considered Rushville.

[itsMeFred]

Chadron is a college town, so you're going to find most of the rentals are geared toward reducing the damage college kids could possibly do to the place.
Keep looking though. I lived in Chadron for five years, four in severa different rentals, and always with a dog. The trailer parks are strictly no dogs, now, though. (One of the them was in the process of implementing that rule when my then-boyfriend and I moved in with our two. We got grandfathered).

But there are still other options, some of which allow pets, especially if they can see that you're a grown-up.

Alliance is probably your best bet just because it's the biggest town. It's also a railroad town, so there are a lot of rental options because of it. So far as pets, no matter where you look, you'll just have to look harder for a place that allows them.

And there's nothing wrong with Rushville. Sheridan county seat, it's not the biggest town, but it's nice enough. We lived south of Rushville for a couple of years.

[enigmaticliz]

Thank you so much for your help. We are going for a look this weekend. I will be sure not to count Rushville out. I have been checking out all of the elementary schools. We are hoping it will be easier to find a rental if we search while we are there. Any other suggestions or ideas are greatly welcome. I am starting to get excited lol.

[itsMeFred]

You'll find these towns are small enough the only way you're likely to find rentals is in the local papers! Make sure to pick one up in each town.

[enigmaticliz]

What about Gordon Nebraska? Do you know what it is like there? There is kinda a scary report from a parent at the Gordon school saying her child was bullied. I can't really tell if it is a real problem or just a one time situation. Thanks so much, I don't wanna be a pain lol.

[itsMeFred]

Gordon and Rushville are consolidated now (as of fall '06), which means even if you lived in Rushville your kids would go to HS in Gordon. Middle school is in Rushville and each town has their own gradeschool.
I haven't heard how it's going, but I'm going to guess there are some growing pains for two towns that have always been rivals to suddenly be the same entity.

So far as the town itself, Gordon is the biggest town in Sheridan county and as such has the most services available. When I lived south of Rushville, we did most of our shopping and such in Gordon.
All of the towns in the area along the SD state line have their rough spots. The influence of the poverty of the reservations just to the north, in my opinion... And there are racist issues you usually don't find in small schools. (it's probably 25%/75% Indian/white)
but, I wouldn't hesistate to move back up there with my kids in tow.

Given my choice of the towns you've mentioned though, I'd pick Chadron every time.

[kosnebbear]

I remember that when we had to move to Grand Island. We also owned a dog which was a large, yet very gentle dog. We talked to the rental people and worked out an agreement with the owner concerning our dog. They even came over and inspected the outside pen and got to meet our dog. Everything worked out just fine. You just need to ask and talk with the owners of the property. Like Fred said if you show them that you are mature and a responsible individual who will take care of the home as if it was your own home you should have no trouble.

[enigmaticliz]

Yeah I used to live in Winner, SD, (there is the housing development there) and my husband used to live in Mission SD (he grew up directly on the reservation). We know about the rough spots, but I really appreciate the heads up. It could be a big culture shock for someone who didn't grow up around there, things are just a little different. Sometimes in a good way, sometimes not.

Kosnebbear thank you so much for the advice, we are going up today I will definately take your advice and just ask...they can only say no right. I think I will bring our Gypsy (dog) and leave her at my hubby's grandmas so they can meet him if they would like to. Very good idea, I didn't even think about. Too many other things lol. We have had really great luck with landlords two in a row that are very nice, who will give us really good references. I wish we could keep our landlord. Well we are going up to look today...wish me luck!! Thanks again.