[l3lacksheep]

Omaha is on the short list of places my wife and I are looking at relocating to, in fact we'll probably end up there unless we hate it after our planned visit this weekend.

As potential residents what sights would you, the local public, recommend? I realize the zoo is nice, etc but I'm more interested in the kind of things that make daily living in Omaha desirable. This is less of a "vacation" than it is a research trip.

Additionally, since we will probably end up there I'll be looking for a job. In doing my research I see that Douglas county has an attractive unemployment rate but I haven't found much in the way of quality jobs on the usual suspects (Monster, Careerbuilder, Craigslist, etc.). Is there another local site, or do folks still *gasp* advertise jobs in the paper? My wife and I are moving because of her job and we'll have income right away, so that's not a big issue.

I've been reading the boards for about a month now getting info and I'd just like to thank all the "regulars". You've all gotten me kind of "excited" about Omaha, honestly, not something I thought could happen!

[Go Ne]

Just a few days ago in the paper, Mutual of Omaha was said to have almost 200 jobs available, and West corporation is hiring 125.

And what kind of area do you want to live in? Urban, Semi Urban, suburban?

[l3lacksheep]

The wife is drawn to the old Market Area (lofts) but I'm more of a house in an Urban-ish area (I was looking at Dundee) Regardless of the final locale I like to be able to walk and or bike to things.

I had checked out the website for M of O and found a position of interest but I haven't heard of the West Corp. Thanks! I'll check them out.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by l3lacksheep

The wife is drawn to the old Market Area (lofts) but I'm more of a house in an Urban-ish area (I was looking at Dundee) Regardless of the final locale I like to be able to walk and or bike to things.

I had checked out the website for M of O and found a position of interest but I haven't heard of the West Corp. Thanks! I'll check them out.

based on biking and Urban-ish that generally you have the right boundaries... Dundee on the west and downtown on the east...

What type of work are you looking for? Might help in steering you to the right resource or group of companies.

[LAJEEP53]

Here's a job site with Omaha jobs posted to it - best of luck!
Jobs America Employment

Also, if you'll be hunting for a new home I strongly recommend Marasco Homes, Inc. - their number is 402-333-4454 - website is marascohomes.com. Builder is very reliable - onsite for the majority of the building process - honest, hard working. He has a record of zero call backs for problems. His site shows $300K and up, but I know he can build a customer for quite a bit lower than that - definitely worth visiting with.

Good luck!

[l3lacksheep]

I'm staying away from owning property for a bit, at least until I can see the light at the end of this tunnel. I already have one house I can't sell, 2 would be pushing the finances... Thanks for the info though.

As far as work for myself... It's a mixed bag. I have a B.A. in Communication Studies (not radio, etc) not highly desirable. I've moved once every 1-2 years for the past 5 years or so and have never gotten to find a niche, or build a good career path. I usually end up with jobs around 30k, college grad, pushing some kind of paper. Ad sales, title company, Surveying and Engineering and I currently work at a trade association. I've also previously interned with EMI records, sold cars, was a roofer, and unloaded trucks at a retail store.

I was enrolled in the Master's Program for the college of Urban Planning at Wayne State University but had to drop out becuase of the move so I think I'd like to work for local/state government but those jobs aren't hiring a lot in this day and age, maybe some stimulus money will open a Junior Planning position or something?

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by l3lacksheep

I was enrolled in the Master's Program for the college of Urban Planning at Wayne State University but had to drop out becuase of the move so I think I'd like to work for local/state government but those jobs aren't hiring a lot in this day and age, maybe some stimulus money will open a Junior Planning position or something?

One bit of good news... the Omaha metro is serious about planning...

• City of Omaha Planning Dept is fairly large;,
• Omaha Chamber of Commerce has a very strong Regional Economic Development Corp that represents a 5-county area (Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, and Washington in Nebraska plus Pottawattamie in Iowa)...
• LaVista and Papillion both have very strong design standards and professional planners on city staff.
• Several groups in Omaha do sub-area planning (Omaha by Design and Destination Midtown)
• A national planning group exists in the Josyln Institute for Sustainable Communities
• University of Nebraska - Lincoln has a strong Community and Regional Planning program
• A state-wide program to aid small towns to revitalize with Nebraska Mainstreet Program

Originally Posted by l3lacksheep

As far as work for myself... It's a mixed bag.

Also, Omaha has a wide variety of employers in a wide variety of industries. Combine that with a relatively (based on the rest of the nation) a low unemployment rate (I think about 4.5% in the current economic crisis). Takes a little harder effort to find that job, but unemployment less than 5% is not bad. Opportunities are out there.

[Stacy From Cali]

Honestly the most interesting part of town is Old Market, so if when you visit you are impressed then you're in clover...if you're nonplussed the rest of town is going to do nothing for you. Most people on this thread know that I am not too impressed with Omaha so you might want to take what I say with a grain of salt...but... Looking at your location it seems you are currently in Royal Oak, MI. I know where you're coming from both culturally and geographically because that's my home town (I grew up there...Dondero class of **** (too embarrassing) and I also went to Wayne State). I know what you would be coming to here because I live here. The two do not favorably compare IMO...although as previously stated Omaha has half of MI's unemployment rate...but...quality of life matters you know? Just my two cents.


Another good employment link is careerlink.com

[Dave1215]

Here are two quick resources that could come in handy... in both cases its to help you if you have a specific neighborhood in mind.

• 2009 Neighborhood Association Directory
• Links to Neighborhood Websites (see right navigation panel)

[l3lacksheep]

Originally Posted by Stacy From Cali

I know what you would be coming to here because I live here. The two do not favorably compare IMO...although as previously stated Omaha has half of MI's unemployment rate...but...quality of life matters you know? Just my two cents.

I love Royal Oak, I'd never leave if I didn't have to but unfortunately it's a forced move. I mean both my wife and I are employed, in MI, it's amazing! But we have to pick a new place and of the options given the only 2 plausibles are Omaha and Chicago and Chi-town is wayyyy too expensive. Plus I don't feel safe with my wife there. If I had a choice, I'd never move (no offense to Omahaians).

Dave1215, you are the man! Thanks for taking the time with all those links. That's a lot of good info to digest.

Looks like the weather is going to be ... decent. Warmer than the D anyway. We should be able to get a few things in around the raindrops.