[cam2817]

My husband and I have been checking out the towns west of Omaha on the internet. Can anyone recommend a downtown with a quaint village feel? We are not limiting ourselves to any one area. I would appreciate all feedback. Thank you.

[MattDen]

I would say Ashland, Nebraska might have what you are looking for. Its an affordable, small townish area 20 miles west of Omaha. It have a river running through it so it has alot of trees.

I would reccomend looking up Ashland as far as having a bit more of a clean, quaint small-town feel near the Omaha area.

[cam2817]

Thanks MattDen for your suggestion of Ashland. I am checking that out and wondering if you know of any other towns I can compare it to. Also, How about east of Omaha, Council Bluffs perhaps?

[MattDen]

Council Bluffs has some nice areas to the East, but Council Bluffs as a whole is a little on the dirty side and its violent crime rate is very high (lots of social problems in Council Bluffs) and it's very run-down a majority of it. I havent been impressed with Council Bluffs.

Ashland is very affordable, very low crime, very low population density but with-in 15 minutes of West Omaha shopping. Its a low density far out suburb. Lots of trees in Ashland with the river running through it also.

Missouri Valley, Iowa seems to be desirable for people who like a large lot and be close to the Omaha area but its further away then Ashland to Omaha.

[DTO Luv]

Council Bluffs isn't that bad. If I had to live there I would live somewhere on the eastern end of town near downtown and Kanesville. There are some beautoful older homes around there. The Council Bluffs DT is pretty nice with some parks, fountains, and small shops around it. Out west you won't be able to find that since there aren't really any towns.

Plus with moving to Council Bluffs you'll be closer to more shopping. There is Mall of the Bluffs by Kanesville and a new shopping center near I-80 and I-29 would be a shorter drive than somewhere out west.

[filup.1]

that's funny you suggested ashland because i live in colombus, ne right now, i was just thinking of moving somewhere with more outdoor activities and to move away from family. a good suggestion though, being close to omaha.

[NebraskaNative]

By your post it sounds like you are almost looking for a small-town 'bed-n-breakfast' type town... Unfortunately there are none of those around here.

Every small town around Omaha is very similar to the others, typical small town, 'rural Nebraska' feel to them. These small towns came to be because of the local farmers needing meeting/market places, with supporting businesses (grocery stores, banks, bars, etc.).

No small towns around here were created because of natural scenery/outdoor sporting (Colorado) or local traditions (Vermont with their winter traditions) drawing in tourists. These are small working towns since that is what the local economy needs them to be.

[Dave1215]

I concur with Ashland... its very convenient to both Omaha and Lincoln. Its real close to Mahoney State Park. Easy access to Interstate. Independent little town with nice downtown that is not in danger of loosing its identity.

Others that might want to consider (direction from Omaha)
Blair (north)
Wahoo (west)
Louiseville (south)
Nebraska City (south)
Plattsmouth (south)
Weeping Water (south)

[Go Ne]

Gretna is to the southwest and its growing very fast I think there are about 5000 people now and it's a really short commute to omaha.