Omaha vs. Lincoln

[yman97]

I prefer Omaha to Lincoln but they are very different towns. I lived in Lincoln for about a year while I was attending UNL so most of my experience came while living in the dorms. Lincoln has that college town feel to it but I love it and enjoy visiting and going to the football games once in a while. Omaha is the right fit for me, however. It's a mid-size city that is getting bigger every day and it's changing very quickly. We've added a top concert venue and we're building a pedestrian bridge to Iowa and soon to build a new downtown ball park. Omaha is pretty big if driving from the suburbs to the downtown area but it shouldn't take any more than 20-30 minutes. I drive 15 miles to and from work every day (I live in La Vista) and it takes 15 minutes or so. The traffic in Omaha is a joke, especially compared to other cities. I don' think its ever taken me more than 30 minutes in rush hour, maybe 45 if there's a bad accident.

If you're looking for a small town atmosphere that still has some things to do, Lincoln is your place. If you're looking for nightlife and a bigger city atmosphere, Omaha would be the choice. I will say this: I think Omaha is an excellent city to raise children. I was born and raised here and enjoyed it very much.

[alligatorboy]

Omaha and Lincoln are both good cities in their own ways. Lincoln is safer than Omaha, but there is more to do in Omaha. Omaha has some really good restaurants and stores. Omaha has a Whole Foods Mart, which is like the Hy-Vee of vegetarian/organic foods.

[star_gazer]

The property and violent crime rates between Omaha and Lincoln are so close.. it's hardly worth singling out Lincoln as safer (at least not enough to make it an attribute to be touted over Omaha). Omaha has larger areas where criminal activity is problematic... but it also has larger areas where there is very little crime.

[bluesker]

Well, I was born and raised in Omaha, spent a majority of my life there, moved to Lincoln in 1992 and except for a couple years have lived here since. Let me tell you, there is a HUGE difference between the two. Now don't get me wrong, I like both cities and each has something the other doesn't but I have now bought a downtown Omaha place as our "lakehome" and that should tell you which I favor.

Why I have an Omaha place and eventually will live there full time:

Omaha has MUCH MORE CULTURE = mostly downtown

Omaha has my beloved Creighton Bluejays

Omaha has my family and so many more friends than Lincoln

Lincoln is amazingly cliquey {is that a word?}. If you weren't born here, you will always be an outsider.

When I first moved to Lincoln, I was early 30's and single. Believe me, there is no scene for early 30's and single. The college scene is great and the retirement homes are superior {I mean that sincerely}. There are good schools and nice neighborhoods. I am now married and that makes things much better but we never had kids so that makes suburban living tough no matter where you live {try listening to cocktail talk next time you're in a group and see how often it turns to the kids}. Lincoln is a Grand Island/Fremont/etc except it has the state university and government. READ: small town mentality with the issues of smaller communities {ag, etc} important here too. If you get the Lincoln paper, there is little about Omaha and urban but plenty about small town issues. Also, if youo want to talk Husker football 365 days a year, come on down.

Bottom line, I am here due to an awesome career opportunity. If you have a spouse, 2 1/2 kids, a dog, two story suburban home and a desire to be a junior leaguer, Lincoln really is a nice place {WATCH OUT FOR THE CLIQUINESS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD}. You also fit in out is the suburbs of Omaha.

If you are young and hip, if you are old and hip, if you are a childless couple, if you love the arts, if you love big events {college world series, volleyball final 4, ncaa basketball tourney, etc} {first line concerts} {art exhibits} you should live in downtown Omaha, Dundee or the like.

[aardogg687]

I lived in Lincoln, NE for 17 ****ing years and never liked it. It would not work out having a arena by the haymarket. It would be too ****ing crowded with all that traffic. Lincoln is not big to have freeways because they already **** this city up.