neigborhood 4 toddler (Omaha, Bellevue, Papillion: relocating, budget, job)

[Redoem]

Hi, we will be relocating to Omaha this summer. I have read previous posts about areas in Omaha metro but I am particularly interested in a toddler-friendly area. Not only safe and clean and low crime rates but also playgrounds, nature and community activities (playgroups, music, swimming...). We will be renting since my job-contract is initially for one year.

Redoem

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by Redoem

...I am particularly interested in a toddler-friendly area. Not only safe and clean and low crime rates but also playgrounds, nature and community activities (playgroups, music, swimming...). We will be renting since my job-contract is initially for one year.
Redoem

Papillion. They have a great park system, the trail system is always expanding, the swimming pool is great for kids, their is a concert every Friday night in the open air mall and every Sunday night in the park. They just opened an amphitheatre for the community band and community theatre. Lots of sports for young ones (baseball soccer, etc). A wide variety of churhces and civic organizations.

A few years ago was named one of the top 25 best places to live in the nation... no other Nebraska community made the cut... I think it was Money Magazine.

Very wide variety of housing prices so probably can find something for any budget. I'm not sure I would look anyplace else.

[Redoem]

thanks Dave1215!!. I would like to ask you about commuting from Papillion to Creighton U. Would you have an estimate? Would it be significantly longer driving through the city than taking the highway?

R.

[DTO Luv]

It would take much longer driving through the city than taking the interstate. If you're going to be working at Creighton why not live close to CU? Gas isn't going to get any cheaper.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by Redoem

thanks Dave1215!!. I would like to ask you about commuting from Papillion to Creighton U. Would you have an estimate? Would it be significantly longer driving through the city than taking the highway? R.

Not a bad commute at all, especially once you learn the traffic patterns and avoid the couple of peaks.

Downtown Papillion to Creighton is only about 13 miles... that is going North on 84th thru LaVista and Ralston into Omaha to I-80.. then taking I-80 downtown... You can also go East from Papillion to Bellevue (either on H370 or Cornhusker) then catch the Kennedy Freeway to Downtown... again depending on time of day each has an advantage, but bottom line - under 15 miles and all good roads.

If you are coming from any kind of Metro or Urban area, a very easy commute.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by Dave1215

Not a bad commute at all, especially once you learn the traffic patterns and avoid the couple of peaks.
......
If you are coming from any kind of Metro or Urban area, a very easy commute.

A map... Papillion on the south... Red line is the north route thru Ralston (more traffic)... Black and Blue lines are the HWY370 or Cornhusker Roads east to Kennedy Freeway... Creighton is the general area circled at the top.. again, all three are less than 15 miles...

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

If you're going to be working at Creighton why not live close to CU?

He makes a good point... real question for you is what enviornment are you looking for? Urban, Suburban, or Rural...

If Urban then his CU area should be considered as an option...

if Suburban, then can't go wrong with my Papillion suggestion...

if Rural, then I'd have other suggestions. In this case, how long of a commute would you be comfortable with?

[Redoem]

Great post Dave1215!
I actually would prefer the shortest possible commute but my priority is to find a neighborhood where we can build up community and my little one can fully develop. I believe neighborhood is key in this process. According to what I have read, areas nearby CU are not precisely the safest for a kiddo in Omaha... so I will have a longer commute

Redoem

[DTO Luv]

You've heard that from people who don't live in the area. Unlike them I do live around here. There are perfectly fine neighborhoods in Dundee, Benson, and UNO/Memorial Park. All of those areas are very good for families. MUCH nicer and unique homes than you will find in Papillion which is just an upstart, faceless suburb. Also in any of the areas I mentioned you will be MUCH closer to Creighton.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by DTO Luv

You've heard that from people who don't live in the area. ...... Also in any of the areas I mentioned you will be MUCH closer to Creighton.

While I disagree with your Faceless comment I don't think we are too far off each other...

I specifically asked her if she was looking for (1) Metro-Urban enviornment; (2) Suburban enviornment; or (3) Rural enviornment... each of these is very different in regards to look&feel, neighborhood ammenities, entertainment, crime, etc... no matter the city.

If she is looking for Metro-Urban then your comments about Benson, etc are very valid and more appropriate than Papillion; however, if she is looking for Suburban then my comments about Papillion are very valid and more appropriate than Benson; and if she is looking for Rural then we are both wrong.