How does Nebraska compare to Indiana? (Omaha, Lincoln: schools, universities, living)

[Future Trooper]

I am from Indiana and was just wondering how Nebraska compares to Indiana.


How is Nebraska?

Is it more laid back there?

Are people more friendly?

Are things more or less expensive?

Is the economy better or worse there?

Are the schools better?

[Omaha Rocks]

You're asking some rather vague questions, to which opinions are the primary answer.

Outside Omaha, Nebraska is primarily rural. The farther west, the more arid and rural.

The economy in Omaha, and Nebraska, is not as bad right now as in a lot of places. In fact, when compared to some major urban areas, we're looking like we're in a boom!

Overall, I'd guess that the cost of living is a little cheaper here.

And yes, there are lots of colleges, and a few universities. I think they're pretty good institutions of higher education.

[roots'nbulbs]

The farther East that you drive from outstate Nebraska, the more you will say that it seems lush. Indiana gets a lot more moisture--as do Lincoln and Omaha which seem "greener, sooner and longer" than Western NE.

The schools are very good. Like everywhere, they vary with communities. UNK has a very, strong Art Dept and its Teachers College is as good as any, anywhere. UNL excels in a lot of areas. It has, of course, an extremely good Agriculture campus separate from its city campus.

There are some job lay offs in Kearney and Grand Island and Hastings. (We call those towns micro-cities.) The three towns combined cover a region of about 100,000 plus people. The lay offs have been compensated for in ways and the economic outlook is cheerful.

When I travel, I find costs to be comparable, but my visiting family members always laugh at the small restaurant tabs that they pick up, here.

Friendly is an argumentative term, out here, but we really do get in your face and say,"How are ya'?" quite often...yeh, and sometimes we mean by that, "Who are you and what are you doing?" Oh well.

Some of us are laid back and some of us squeak when we walk, but I think you'd have a great time in my town!