which town is better and why (Omaha, Lincoln: fit in, skateboarding, rentals)

[yankeegirlforever]

I guess I misposted before! Anyhow...we are moving back to small town NE and have narrowed it down to 3 towns: Minden, Aurora, and Aubury. We have a 14.5 yo daughter and a 11.5 yo son, both with bipolar 1 disorder. Daughter is in 9th with an IEP, son is in 6th in GT classes. Daughter is into church youth groups, crafts, 4H, and looking forward to her first summer job. Son is all about sports, especially football. Also likes shooting sports, skateboarding, and making his own money. Hubby is a CATFISH FANTIC!! Need a small town that has more than 1 grocery, shopping & thrift stores, swimming pool, library, and other "kid friendly" activities. Oh Yeah- summer sports!! Need access (30-60 mins.) to competent psych care-including psychiatrists, counselors/therapists, hospitals and RTCs. Any and All info and opinion GREATLY appreciated!!!

[tpabes]

Ok, there is no Aubury Nebraska, so I gonna guess you meant Auburn. All three are gonna have library, swimming pool, small hospitals and services through schools for their needs. All towns are similar in population. I'm less familar with Auburn so I guess I will start with that.

Auburn you are going to be over an hour from Lincoln or the Omaha metro (Bellevue) where you gonna probably find your clinics for what you need (Nebraska City might have a few more options than Auburn). There are a couple grocers there I believe, a dollar general and Pamida. There is a Wal-mart in Nebraska city, about 20 miles north.

Minden is located about 20 miles southeast of Kearney and 30 miles west of Hastings. You will go to these towns for you clinical needs, both have good systems. Minden has a dollar general, some other shops on the square and a couple grocers. Easy drive to Kearney for alot more options.

Aurora is my personal favorite just because I have alot of family there, in fact my Aunt teaches in their school system at an elementary level. Aurora is 20 miles east of Grand Island which will have your clinics, it is also an hour from Lincoln. Has a couple dollar stores and grocers, and stores on their square.

I don't see any problem getting involved in those same activities in any town you listed, all would be pretty kid friendly in my opinion. I have to put in a plug for Grand Island Physical Therapy, which also has a peds clinic in Hastings, if you are in need of phyisical or occupational therapy, my wife works for them!

Any more ?'s just ask and we'll try to help. Welcome back to Nebraska.

[yankeegirlforever]

Sorry about that-kids were bidding on who was next for computer! Which place do you think has more over-all activities or places like pools and parks, etc. Where do they get more snow- on average? I SOOOO MISS snow!!! And also, what about catfishing holes/rivers?

[tpabes]

Hmmm, I'm gonna go with Aurora because it has a pool, several parks, proximity to Grand Island and Lincoln (Grand Island has a nice water park) and I believe its the biggest of the three. York, a town of 8,000 is also 20 miles east of Aurora that might have activities. My family who lives there has never seemed to lack any activities to be involved in. But, it is not like Minden or Auburn are totally lacking in these areas either.

I'm not a fisherman, but check out his thread;
http://www.city-data.com/forum/nebra...-nebraska.html
Hopefully, the experts will come along with their advice.

Your average snowfall is going to be about the same in all three towns, I believe around 30+ inches is average for a winter, but this winter we haven't had a ton of snowfall, it just hasn't melted. A couple years ago, we had huge storms with feet of snow, one in November and one in March and that was about it for snow. Each winter is its own guess, but you will see snow, I'll guarantee that.

Here are the city websites and Aurora's newspaper:
City of Aurora
Aurora News-Register
.: The City of Auburn, Nebraska :.
Minden, Ne :: Home

Here is a thread that was on Auburn:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/omaha...burn-area.html

[yankeegirlforever]

Well, I researched it some more and I do like the sound of it, but it also sounds like it is growing pretty fast as well. How long do you think before it is no longer a "small town" and more like a "small city"? And which newspaper will have rental information? Also, my kids are asking if it will take a long time to "fit into" the group of kids they want to fit into?

[tpabes]

I think it is steady and slow growth, to me there are no huge signs pointing to huge boom where the population is just going to take off. The Aurora News Register is going to have your rental information, you may also want to call the city clerk (402-694-6992). The Grand Island Independent might have a few rentals too. I would like to say that your kids will fit in just fine, but you know how kids can be and there could be some rough patches. With smaller population there can be cliques. Adultwise, if you treat people with kindness and respect, they will return the same. Hopefully, they have past these values down to their kids. I would say with 4h, church, and sports, those are three pretty big areas where your kids can fit in.

[yankeegirlforever]

Thanks SOOO MUCH!!!! 4H, church and sports-Yeah, can you tell I'm a small town girl thru and thru or what? And luckily, even after a big town (small city) my kiddos are too!! I have Aurora marked as a fave, email communicating with the high school spec. ed teacher, and have someone snailmailing me a packet!! You're input was wonderful and thank you for helping! GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Now, can anyone tell me more about Minden?

[tpabes]

Your welcome, we have someone who just joined city data that is from Minden so hopefully he will see this. Minden is a little smaller than Aurora and is about 20 miles from Kearney (nearing 30,000 pop), 30 miles from Hastings (around 25,000 pop). Minden should be able to provide your 4h, church and sports and other critera. Otherwise, Kearney should be able to cover what you are unable to get. There was talk of the YMCA coming to town, but I don't know know what has come of that. It has a nice town square that is beautiful at Chirstmas time. It is also well known for its Pioneer Village museum and Opera house. I don't forsee Minden growing alot in the future either, but I don't see it dying in any way.

All three towns are county seats, so your county services will be in town. I know Aurora and Minden host their respective county fairs, not sure about Auburn, so that will help with 4h. All three schools are large for Nebraska (remember for Nebraska), being either in the 2nd or 3rd largest classification sports wise (which is based basically on student population). A guess would be a graduating class of 100-150 for these schools.

Our local TV does a thing called Road Less Traveled, Aurora is #73, Minden #70, Auburn is not in there coverage area, here is a link:
NTV - KHGI/KWNB/WSWS-CA - Where your news comes first. - Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, Lincoln | Road Less Traveled

Also, you have probably checked, but people have replied to your post in the serious question thread. Just wanted to make sure you knew!

[yankeegirlforever]

Thanks tpabes!! Yeah, I know about the other post on here- I didn't realize how to add a thread at first when I started this the other night!! So now I just have to check them both I guess. Thanks for the link- I will have to check that out tonight. I quit looking into Auburn- got a strange feeling over that one for some reason. You have been awesome!! Thanks again!

[Gunluvver2]

YankeeGirl,
Auburn, Aurora and Minden are all within a few minutes drive of some good catfishin' holes. Minden is just a short drive to the Harlan County Reservoir and it is great fishning for several other species of fish besides catfish. Hunting in the Minden area is pretty good also and once you get to know the area finding a place for your son to do his shooting shouldn't be a problem.

Finding the medical services you need in Minden will probably require driving to Hastings or Kearney, both less than an hours drive. Hastings probably has several Pshychiatrists because of the proximity to the Regional Center but I am sure you can do some online research to find the specifics.

I am sure any of the three communities you mentioned will be great but I think the best parts of Nebraska are in the Western end of the state and since Minden is the further West. . . my preference would be Minden. Good luck to you and your family in your decision.

GL2