[metro223]

I don't know about Nebraska/Omaha, but in otherstates cities can be in more than one county... like W. Des Moines being in Dallas/polk county, or Fort Worth in Tarrant and Denton. (off topic) but in relation to last reply.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by beemer1010

I don't know about Nebraska/Omaha, but in otherstates cities can be in more than one county... like W. Des Moines being in Dallas/polk county, or Fort Worth in Tarrant and Denton. (off topic) but in relation to last reply.

In Nebraska - No.

You may find a metro area that crosses lines (Douglas/Washington/Sarpy Counties would be considered Omaha metro); however, the legal entity of the city cannot.

Omaha is purely in Douglas Countyas is Ralston. LaVista, Papillion, Bellevue, Gretna, and Springfield are purely in Sarpy County. Blair is purely in Washington county.

Unless there is a change in state law (won't happen) a city's corporate boundary cannot cross a county line. Also Omaha is pretty much the only city in the state that can annex another town (as long as its under 10,000) and the only town that fits that criteria is Ralston.

Omaha the city is bound by the boundaries of Douglas county.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by Steve_W

Well if you want to live downtown close to your husbands work, Central High School is located there. Very good school for the OPS school district...Good school anywhere for that matter.

Both my DH and Gayle Sayers (sp?) went there. Good school!

[denibeans63]

Thanks everyone for the great responses. Gretna looks good. I also read somewhere on another posting in City Forum about Ashland....seems like it has a small town feel to it, river running through it? What about schools an dquality of life there?

THanks!

[ehenningsen]

Starting from 2006, Omaha's metro occupies:

Douglas county: Omaha, Ralston, Bennington, Valley, Waterloo, Leshara and former Elkhorn and former Millard etc..
Sarpy county: Bellevue, Papillion, La Vista, Gretna, Springfield etc..
Cass county: Plattsmouth, Eagle, Weeping Water etc...
Washington county: Blair, Arlington, Washington, Fort Calhoun etc..
Saunders County: Yutan, Mead, Ashland, Wahoo, Cedar Bluffs, Morse Bluff, Prague, Colon, Weston, Ceresco, and etc..

In Iowa:
Pottowattamie: Council Bluffs, Treynor and etc..
Mills: ??
Harrison: ??

Lincoln is less than 10 miles from the border to the Omaha metro from both Saunders and Cass county lines

Lancaster: Lincoln, Hallam, Waverly, (Greenville ?)
Seward: Seward

[mom2toddlers]

Originally Posted by denibeans63

3) am I dreaming if I think I can find spaces with a bit of property - only an acre would be fine), We don't want to live in the city, and up to a 35 minute commute would be fine..

I have not been in the area too long, (Nov) but from what I understand, Gretna and Plattsmouth are nice areas to check out if you want more land with your home and don't mind a commute.
If you'd like a recommendation for a knowledgeable realtor, I'd be happy to pass along the contact info for the one we used. He knew the area very well, has been doing it for a long time, and showed us listings for exactly what we asked for, but was also quick to warn us if he thought a property met our criteria but was not a good investment (we let him know resale value was a big deal, as we move around for my husband's job).
Good luck to you in your search!
I already love Omaha, and hope you will too!

[ehenningsen]

There are varying areas of town and there is a market in Omaha for many different types of lifestyles, and so if you move into the market it is good that you check it out first that way you will not regret where you moved too..

mom2toddlers is right about Gretna, Springfield and Ashland, I want to add to her statement that they also are not too terribly far from another nice sized metro that is approaching 300,000 people and that is the Lincoln MSA..

Ashland is practically smack dab right in between the two, and you can get to the outskirts of the city of Omaha and in the other direction to the outskirts of Lincoln in 15 minutes or less, and the city has some very nice acreages and is becoming an entertainment district (nice sized, not huge but definetely will be getting better), the city has about 2500 people and is not far from I-80 as well as Cornhusker hwy..

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by denibeans63

Thanks everyone for the great responses. Gretna looks good. I also read somewhere on another posting in City Forum about Ashland....seems like it has a small town feel to it, river running through it? What about schools an dquality of life there?

THanks!

Ashland is a great one to add to the Gretna / Papillion list. It will give you the small town feel, but the added convenience of being 1/2 way between both Omaha and Lincoln.

For your reference a couple of websites:
City of Ashland
Ashalnd/Greenwood Schools (a consolidated school district with a decent reputation)
Ashland Chamber of Commerce
Saunders County (broken link)(where Ashland is)

[hi ppl]

so, what about the crime? What areas of the city are considered bad areas?

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by hi ppl

so, what about the crime? What areas of the city are considered bad areas?

By far Ashland and Papillion are the lowest of areas discussed (whether looking at violent crime or property crime). See the stats from the FBI below.

One of the stated reasons that Papillion was named the 6th Best City to Live in the US by CNN/Money Magazine was its low crime. It received an A on that factor.

Lowest Crime: Ashland (Saunders County) and anywhere in Sarpy County (Papillion, LaVista, Gretna, Springfield). The only exception might be Bellevue which would be higher crime than the rest, but still not bad.

Low Crime: Anywhere in Douglas County west of 72nd street. Ralston is also low crime - it butts up against LaVista.

Mixed area (low and very high) is east of 72nd street in Omaha. Some of these areas are very nice and low crime areas but some are also very run down and high crime. East of 72nd in Omaha is the more traditional urban area so you have a real mix of uses and neighborhoods. Areas like Florence and Dundee are very nice urban areas.

The Highest Crime is "North Omaha" which is a real jagged boundary but if you are getting east of 42nd and north of Dodge street be real carefule what you pick. Again, some nice areas in there but that's also the general area with the highest crime.

FBI 2006 crime index (higher means more crime. This is reported crimes per 1,000 people (both Violent and Property.)
Note: Gretna and Springfield weren't listed but my guess is would be low like Ashland/Papillion

<city> = Total (Violent/Property)

Ashland = 5.19 (0.00/5.19)

Papillion = 15.24 (0.49/14.75)

Blair = 20.62 (1.15/19.47)
LaVista = 24.59 (1.01/23.58)
Plattsmouth = 24.93 (0.99/23.93
Bellevue = 27.38 (1.41/25.97)

Ralston = 31.64 (1.61/30.03)

Lincoln = 56.10 (5.22/50.88)
Omaha = 58.29 (6.01/52.28)