Narrowing down the best places to live in NE? (Omaha: homes, safe neighborhood)

[secondseasons]

I have lived in LOTS of NE towns, as I am from northeast NE and my husband is from southwest NE. I have lived in Hartington, Wynot, Omaha, Norfolk, Grand Island, Ogallala, Grant, Bellwood, Brule. I have been in all points between. These are all over the Nebraska Map.

Truthfully, if you are a God-fearin', country-western lovin' Republican type who loves snakes (western NE is full of 'em) and driving 70 miles to get anywhere (that's how close (North Platte)the nearest WalMart was to where we lived), who doesn't stand out, doesn't like people who do, and are in bed by 10:00, you would get along just fine in Western NE.

If you are a liberal, non-conformist, who likes a nightlife, or, who is in ANY way, shape or form different, and likes convienences, best to stick to eastern NE.

Norfolk-dirty and getting sleazy
Columbus-the same
Omaha-ditto
Lincoln-MUCH better, not as scary as Omaha, but harder to find your way around
Grand Island-some nice parts, some bad. Getting worse, smells bad because of the plant
Hastings-OK
Kearney-Better, more liberal atmosphere, college town like Lincoln
North Platte-dirty, railroad town with a large transient population
Ogallala-Expensive because it is a resort town, go North of Ogallala or North Platte, and there's not much up there.
Scottsbluff-OK, more liberal vibe than most of W NE (take that with a grain of salt), but far away from convinences, i.e. get ready to travel for a change of scenery.
Chadron-even more isolated because it is a smaller town.

I guess it depends on what you are loking for. The two sides of the state are very different, geographically and demographically.
All places have their good and bad points. It all depends on what you are looking for.

P.S. I do live in Nebraska, but withhold my exact location for fear of reprisal, LOL

[soundforlanguage81]

I would go with Scottsbluff/Gering. It's is a nice little micropolitan area (about 22,000 people) The weather is a bit less stable at times, The area can hit 100+ degrees fairly regularly, but with the low humidity factor it shouldn't be a problem unless you're particularly intolerant to heat. Also, the outdoor activities are great: hiking in the pine ridge or wildcat hills, daytripping to the mountains (2 hour drive west) or the black hills/badlands (2-3 hour drive north)

The panhandle is isolated for sure, and has much more in common (geographically, culturally) with South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado. Omaha and Lincoln are a million miles away for some folks, Denver is generally where one heads to for big city conveniences.

As for political beliefs, I wouldn't worry about things like that. If you're a good person that respects everyone elses choices and viewpoints, you won't have a thing to worry about. I am what one would consider an outsider for some of my political/personal/religious beliefs, but I never had any problems with that when I lived in the area.

No matter where you decide to move to, I hope all works out!

[dsrich98]

Originally Posted by secondseasons

Norfolk-dirty and getting sleazy
Columbus-the same
Omaha-ditto
Lincoln-MUCH better, not as scary as Omaha, but harder to find your way around

How is all of Omaha dirty and sleazy? It's a big place with lots of different areas?

Sorry for getting off topic.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by dsrich98

How is all of Omaha dirty and sleazy? It's a big place with lots of different areas?

Sorry for getting off topic.

I noticed that too.

Just a typical cheap shot, I believe...

[secondseasons]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

I noticed that too.

Just a typical cheap shot, I believe...

Hey, I used to live in Omaha; so do many of my relatives. I realize that West O and other select areas of the city (Happy Hollow, etc) are a world away from North O, South O, or even Counciltucky, but come on. It has nothing to do with the fact that it's a city. I am just calling it like I see it.

[omahajosh618]

So what's so scary about Omaha?

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by omahajosh618

So what's so scary about Omaha?

Depends on perspective... I recently heard someone way more than 1 stop light was the scary thing about Omaha... thought that was a funny comment...

[roots'nbulbs]

I still can't get over the insecurities, expressed by both factions. You drive into Omaha, on I 80, and you see gray cement and dirty commercialism--boring. You drive West, on I 80, into Western NE, and you see plowed dirt and people-less country--boring.

We all know there's a wealth of industry and living behind both facades.

So, give it up! Nebraska is a great state because we have the option of rural or urban. United we stand, divided we fall. ...maybe: On second thought, maybe it's the conflict that makes it so interesting.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by roots'nbulbs

I still can't get over the insecurities, expressed by both factions. You drive into Omaha, on I 80, and you see gray cement and dirty commercialism--boring. You drive West, on I 80, into Western NE, and you see plowed dirt and people-less country--boring.

We all know there's a wealth of industry and living behind both facades.

So, give it up! Nebraska is a great state because we have the option of rural or urban. United we stand, divided we fall. ...maybe: On second thought, maybe it's the conflict that makes it so interesting.

The thing about Nebraska - STAY OFF I-80... Whether in Omaha, Lincoln, or outside the metros - so much to see and enjoy that the interstate hides...

[dsrich98]

Originally Posted by Dave1215

The thing about Nebraska - STAY OFF I-80... Whether in Omaha, Lincoln, or outside the metros - so much to see and enjoy that the interstate hides...

That's good info for everyone!!!