[DTO Luv]

Maybe for people in Sarpy county it's north south. I don't know as I never go out there. But in Omaha it's still very much east/west.

[joelwnelson]

I think there's something to the divide. Especially among people who live out west... such as Gretna, Elkhorn, Boys Town/Village Pointe area, west Millard, etc. the attitude seems to be that if it involves going east of 108th St. (let alone 72nd) it's too far away and probably run-down anyway. It's a different culture, really... most of the West-O residents I know tend to prefer the big-box and fast food establishments, while the central residents seem to have more appreciation for the independently owned and eclectic places. I realize that's not true in all cases but in my social circle seems to often be the case.

As for me... I like a little of both. I live a couple blocks west of I-680 but generally head east for activities as I prefer a more urban, established feel as opposed to areas with small trees, windy cul-de-sacs, and McMansions. Central Omaha and areas like downtown and Dundee seem "nice" to me. West O and the overall "suburban culture" out that way sometimes grates on me the same way walking into Wal-Mart does.

[Go Ne]

Originally Posted by joelwnelson

I think there's something to the divide. Especially among people who live out west... such as Gretna, Elkhorn, Boys Town/Village Pointe area, west Millard, etc. the attitude seems to be that if it involves going east of 108th St. (let alone 72nd) it's too far away and probably run-down anyway. It's a different culture, really... most of the West-O residents I know tend to prefer the big-box and fast food establishments, while the central residents seem to have more appreciation for the independently owned and eclectic places. I realize that's not true in all cases but in my social circle seems to often be the case.

As for me... I like a little of both. I live a couple blocks west of I-680 but generally head east for activities as I prefer a more urban, established feel as opposed to areas with small trees, windy cul-de-sacs, and McMansions. Central Omaha and areas like downtown and Dundee seem "nice" to me. West O and the overall "suburban culture" out that way sometimes grates on me the same way walking into Wal-Mart does.

Really, well my family goes downtown at least once a month, more often once a week, and until yesterday night i haven't had fast food in.............. 1-2 months? My favorite restaurants are the local ones that are out here too, and they seem to be the most popular ones too.

I'm sick and tired of being stereotyped when none of you have a clue what your talking about!

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

Maybe for people in Sarpy county it's north south. I don't know as I never go out there. But in Omaha it's still very much east/west.

Fully agree... (lived both Douglas and Sarpy)

[Stacy From Cali]

Originally Posted by Go Ne

Really, well my family goes downtown at least once a month, more often once a week, and until yesterday night i haven't had fast food in.............. 1-2 months? My favorite restaurants are the local ones that are out here too, and they seem to be the most popular ones too.

I'm sick and tired of being stereotyped when none of you have a clue what your talking about!

GoNe, give the poster some credit, he made sure to clarify that he was speaking only from his own experience (ie. in his own social circle) not making a broad generalization about everyone in West O. Speaking of which, what are the best local eats by you (or maybe you could post it to the restaurants thread).

Its funny...I actually work down by La Vista and I think that it is really...dull...there. Its very flat and very new and very corporate/commercial. I can't really speak to the East/West divide but I sure know I feel uncomfortable down in Sarpy. But I like where I'm at in Midtown.

[Go Ne]

Originally Posted by Stacy From Cali

GoNe, give the poster some credit, he made sure to clarify that he was speaking only from his own experience (ie. in his own social circle) not making a broad generalization about everyone in West O. Speaking of which, what are the best local eats by you (or maybe you could post it to the restaurants thread).

Yeah, but I was just speaking in general and his post was the most recent display of it so I used that as an example I suppose.

My Favorite Local places here are Upstream, Lazlos(another brewery from Lincoln), Grand Fortune Chinese, unfortunately my favorite Vietnamese Place "O Mai" closed recently because it was in a terrible location, Baby Blue, owned by Sushi Blue and Kona Grill are good for Sushi. Roja, also owned by the company who owns Sushi Blue, is great for Mexican food and they seem to have a monopoly in the area. Shucks has some of the best seafood I've ever tasted, because the owner of it is also the owner of absolutely fresh seafood, which flys in their fish daily, you should try them Stacy! I hear Ryans Bistro is good but I haven't been there yet.

[joelwnelson]

No offense intended by my post. More or less was just pointing out the prevailing attitudes of the West-O acquaintances and family members of mine. I live west of 680 too, despite it being by just a couple blocks, so still fit in the camp of West-O residents going east.

[Katiana]

We went out to Omaha right after Christmas, and as my MIL now lives in a senior apt., we stayed at a motel. My DH's family in West Omaha was freaked when we told them were were staying at Comfort Inn at the Zoo. They literally told us it was dangerous to be out at night there. I/we thought it was neat. I had never spent a lot of time in that part of town, and it was close to downtown, where we went each night as MIL is close to 90 and doesn't keep late hours. We liked the outdoor ice rink. The ironic part is that DH actually grew up a little east of 72nd St. himself.

[Filet Mignon]

Originally Posted by Katiana

We went out to Omaha right after Christmas, and as my MIL now lives in a senior apt., we stayed at a motel. My DH's family in West Omaha was freaked when we told them were were staying at Comfort Inn at the Zoo. They literally told us it was dangerous to be out at night there. I/we thought it was neat. I had never spent a lot of time in that part of town, and it was close to downtown, where we went each night as MIL is close to 90 and doesn't keep late hours. We liked the outdoor ice rink. The ironic part is that DH actually grew up a little east of 72nd St. himself.

The stereotypes about the east part of Omaha are interesting - especially when you're talking about the infamous "North O."

Well, I live in North O - up on 52nd Street. Virtually all my neighbors are black, and it's a FANTASTIC neighborhood. In fact, the only real kook in this area is an old white guy. I leave the keys in my truck, and don't lock the garage door. We just don't have any problems here. My daughter is a student at Omaha North, and has not had one single "incident" in 3 years. Nothing but good.

Never-mind though... I've got extended family that lives in Council Bluffs, and when they found out we were moving to North O, they were appalled. Though they had a murder just up the street from them, and have had several vehicles hot-wired and stolen right out of their driveway, they were absolutely positive that WE were moving into a bad area of the metro area.


Personally, I think that people ought to decide to be happy wherever they are. My family absolutely LOVES North Omaha. We cannot imagine living anywhere else. Life is good.

[2Adam29]

generally, my interest drops off by 90% if a development has three digits in a cross-street address.

34th and Dodge = I care.
134th and Maple = couldn't care less.

I like the idea of a compact urban city, with individuality. Here's my discription of why I don't care for West Omaha. picture yourself as a tourist, driving straight down Dodge through the city from Council Bluffs. When downtown your nose would be pressed against the glass of your car staring intently at the buildings and people as a thriving urban scene engulfs you and fills your senses. you drive out of downtown and your enthusiasm wanes. You reach 50th and notice the city looks "quaint" here. You like this part, but it doesn't make you sit on the edge of your seat. Reach 72nd and you've become accustomed to the surroundings a bit more and start seeing chain stores. a sure sign that suburbs are approaching. you hit the I-680 interchange and suddenly the most interesting thing is the road itself. The buildings are almost meaningless anymore. The expressway itself distracts you almost completely with the exception of the occassional building a few stories taller than highway 6. Then the road levels off, and you notice not every block has buildings anymore. a little further on and cornfields will replace the housing developments. Now you've left the city limits, and the rolling hills of wheat welcome you for your remaining three hours on to Grand Island.

While there is individuality to West Omaha, there isn't enough of it. There isn't a focal point, and there aren't landmarks tall enough to see from any considerable distance. I like being able to look for the downtown skyline, or the UNO clock tower, to tell quickly and easily where in the city I am. As long as I can find one, I won't get lost, and the Grid based system that is abandoned out west helps me manouver the city with casual effort. There's little diversity. Partially due to lack of affordable housing for the lower class, and partly because people can move out west to avoid "those" people who are less pleasent and not as refined. Now of course not everyone is of that opinion, but it is an understandable one, I want my family to be safe + (low income = blue collar crime) = don't move into low income neighborhoods. I get it, but don't support it. It's just me.

I'd keep talking, but this is getting wordy and I'm getting tired.