What Is The Worst Town In Nebraska? (Omaha, Lincoln: place to live, pit bull)

[urbancowgrl]

Hey Sudo Nym, you are so right about Ogallala
I felt exactly the same way when I got here. It took me about 2 years to get used to it. Since then, I've managed to find some redeeming features in this town. I think the secret is to get involved. If you are truly stuck, organize your own club/community group. You will find that people will flock to you because they are starving for some of the big city culture. Just wanted to let you know that there are others here who think like you.
Oh and I do believe Ogallala has an arts council of sorts, who do put on recitals occasionally. Read the paper - I've found that was the best way to get involved.

[nebraska transplant]

Originally Posted by mattpoulsen

Marg. Jean,

Hastings is a very clean and nice town. Its small (25,000ish), but its nice. I wouldn't worry about drugs in Hastings. Obviously, it can be found but Hastings is definitely not a "drug town". Clean, middle class, friendly town. Also, you're right about property taxes (they are often higher in the midwest), but you need take a few things into consideration. Mainly, what $150,000 will buy you. It will buy you much much more in Hastings than in San Diego. Property taxes do not work the way you are suggesting. Its not as though high population centers in California are more justified in having a higher property tax. That's simply not how levies are defined. In fact, you could argue that lower population cities are more justified in having a higher levy than high population cities because the cost of property is higher in large population centers thus providing more tax revenue. Look online and see what $150,000 buys you in San Diego and then look in Nebraska to see what it gets you. In order to get an equivalent home in San Diego you'd have to pay much more than $150,000, which then will cause the amount of property taxes to increase. This is part of the reason they have a lower tax rate...high property valuations. You could look in Omaha for example, but keep in mind Hastings homes will even be lower than that. Even with the $300 a month figured in its not comparable. Plus, you have to factor in other sorts of cost of living concerns. Living is just way way way cheaper in Hastings, NE than it is in San Diego...anyone will tell you that. Its dramatically different!!

I would also add that its not $3600/year...its 2850/year...making it about $240/month. Not to mention a $150,000 home will not be assessed by the assessor at $150,000...probably more like $135,000 to $140,000. Its kind of a no brainer...if you really want to come to the Hastings area you shouldn't let a 1.9% tax rate stop you.

I have a comment about property tax rates in Nebraska vs. San Diego. All the counties in Nebraska I've checked so far have tax rates around 2%. California has a frozen rate of 1% (proposition 13, circa 1978), often plus additional assessments, but usually not more 1.25%. Sounds good so far.....2% of a $150,000 property in Nebraska is $3000 a year. There are no $150,000 homes in San Diego, maybe a modest lot on which to build! A home comparable to your Nebraska $150,000 will be upwards of $550,000 in San Diego; taxes will be around $7,000 a year in addition to mortgage, interest and insurance. You might get a distressed "fixer" in San Diego for $250,000 or less, which will be small, thrashed, and cost another $250,000 to fix. I lived in San Diego 40 years, had a real estate license in California, prefer Nebraska where young families can still afford a "starter" house, and will take the tax rates any day. San Diego is beautiful and has near perfect weather; it's also overcrowded, polluted, expensive, and the freeways are parking lots during rush-hours and speedways the rest of the time. There's a lot of aggression and generally people aren't happy. So, I transplanted and love the clean air, slower pace and friendly people in Nebraska.

[bluejeanbaby]

I had to laugh about the east vs. west. My roommate in college had never seen a cow up close until she came to my wedding in my home town. She had even asked if you could ride one! LOL I had the great pleasure of taking her to see a "real cow".

People also don't believe me when I tell them that as a kid I thought McDonald's was a real dining experience! Then I have to tell them that we had to drive at least three hours just to find a McDonald's and we only saw them when we were on special trips. Now, my children are so used to seeing McD's all over- it's not much of a treat anymore.

It's amazing how diverse our state really is.

[Chris19]

Originally Posted by bluejeanbaby

I had to laugh about the east vs. west. My roommate in college had never seen a cow up close until she came to my wedding in my home town. She had even asked if you could ride one! LOL I had the great pleasure of taking her to see a "real cow".

People also don't believe me when I tell them that as a kid I thought McDonald's was a real dining experience! Then I have to tell them that we had to drive at least three hours just to find a McDonald's and we only saw them when we were on special trips. Now, my children are so used to seeing McD's all over- it's not much of a treat anymore.

It's amazing how diverse our state really is.

Going to McDonalds was a treat for me growing up too instead of an everyday occurance (even through I grew up 20 minutes from the nearest one). Back in the 1980s, my parents drove quite a few compact cars and lived in a well-kept but small two bedroom house and lived a simpler lifestyle compared to nowadays.

I used to be surpised when I was younger that there were people who have not seen farm animals. Of course, I thought that it was normal to see open space with corn and bean field with farms with a good sized shelterbelts and small towns sprinkled around.

Very good quote, bluejeanbaby. Even though I grew up closer to Sioux Falls, the quote brings back some memories of childhood.

[Go Ne]

Errr.............. ok?

[mattpoulsen]

I don't think you proved any points or helped your cause with that post. Furthermore, a person can dislike a city without being racist.

[averagejoe76]

I lived in Lexington before IBP(whatever it's called now)and the Town..
Changed for the worse.Lex would have been way better off with a John Deere..
Factory or something other than beef packing.

[lisalynn]

Lexington has changed dramatically. I drove by where I grew up, and was mortified. We had the nicest house on the block. well landscaped yard it was a great block to grow up on. Today, the glass front door was missing, the front door was wide open, couch on the porch. privacy wood fence was down in sections all over the back yard, the house needs painting, vehicles parked in the yard.
In 5 years I am moving back towards the Lexington area to take care of my parents and aunts and uncles. But I would never move back into Lexington.
Just last week 3 brothers where arrested for a fight due to a gang fight...
My aunt lives on the same block as to where a young man was killed due to a fight.
Graffiti up and down alley ways.. Got to mark the territory.
I am a very avid walker, but I am afraid to walk in Lexington because of all the dogs that run loose. Look at the little boy on the south side of town that got mauled by that pit bull last year.
Lexington was a great town to grow up in, I would not raise my dog in it today.

[averagejoe76]

Yeah I left maybe a year or two after IBP came.
Lexington was a pretty decent little town.Nice little downtown with brick streets.
It was a little like small town America back in the day.
I know a few people i went to school with still live there.Cant imagine anyone..
Would stay by choice.

[lisalynn]

We left as soon as we could, before IBP came to town, Went to Grand Island , and lucked out really big and got back with New Holland. Count our blessing everyday for that one.
My parents and aunts and uncles will not leave, they are a very close knit family. They live in between Lexington, Kearney and Elwood. There are 11 siblings.
When we move back it will be the Johnsons Lake- Elwood area.
Your screen name Averagejoe76, where you born or did you graduate in 76?
I was born in "67" graduated in "85".