Moving to Nebraska
Considering a move to the Cornhusker State? There are lots of reasons why people choose to make the move to Nebraska. Right now, it has the fifth-lowest unemployment rate in the United States and is home to just under two million people. The weather can be a little unpredictable. Winters are going to be intense. But there are often days sprinkled in between the snow days where temps can get up to 75 degrees with the sun shining brightly.
As a side note, it’s not a good idea to move on the day of a Cornhuskers game. There are some cities that take their college sports seriously, and then there are the residents of Nebraska. No one is going to come out of their house to introduce themselves or help with the move if it means missing part of the game. Other than this, Nebraska is a shining example of Midwestern friendliness, with strangers talking to other strangers on the street or in the store all the time.
Top Cities in Nebraska
Omaha
Voted the 28th “Best Place to Live in America” by US News and World Report, Omaha has a lot to offer new residents. For some, it’s the lower cost of living. A dollar goes a lot further here than other places in the country. Four Fortune 500 companies call Omaha home and provide just one example of how the job market here is thriving. This is also the come of the College World Series, where Division I baseball teams from across the US come to compete for the title.
The city has an interesting blend of past and present. An Omaha business is credited with the creation of the TV dinner, transforming the lives of Americans across the country. Omaha is the reason behind the ads for “Got Milk?” But there’s also a new vibe in the city with an up and coming music scene that is starting to get a lot more attention. There’s more to the culinary scene than just a Runza and local artists can be found throughout the city with their works on display in a wide variety of locations.
Lincoln
Living here means being a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers fan, and around football season, this is a big deal. Hearing shouts of “Go Big Red!” is a common occurrence, especially around football season. But it’s possible to get a break from all the excitement in one of the 125 public parks located within the city limits. Wilderness Park is just one example of a serene setting, perfect for walking, bicycling, or even picnicking.
Locals are sure to recommend a stop at the Haymarket District. This is a great place to check out everything that is going on in the city. Places to eat, places to shop, and entertainment venues are all located here. Brick buildings and converted warehouses line the streets. Even outside the parks, it isn’t unusual to see people pedaling around Lincoln. This is a great city for bicyclists because of the bike lanes, bike trails, and the fact that most of Nebraska is pretty flat.
Kearney
Kearney is considered the Sandhill Crane Capital of the World. Near the end of February until the beginning of April, a large number of Sandhill Cranes make their way to the Platte River Valley. The Rowe Sanctuary has a number of ways for visitors to check out and experience this amazing sight. But it isn’t just the cranes that make Kearney a great place to live. There are a lot of public parks and golf courses that make planning for the weekend a breeze. A walk down the middle of downtown Kearny provides a small glimpse into why Kearney is a great place to settle down and make a home.
Nebraska Statistics
Many people don’t know that Kool-Aid came from Nebraska. Back in 1927, Edwin Perkins invented the drink that has now become something of a summer favorite for Americans across the country. It’s interesting to note that there are lots of statistics about the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhuskers football team. The school has been in 27 consecutive bowl games (a record) and has had 27 consecutive winning seasons. The university has also produced more All-Americans than any other Division I school in the United States. Again, in Nebraska, it isn’t a stretch to suggest that Cornhuskers football isn’t just a local pastime–it’s a local passion.
Things to Do in Nebraska
There’s a lot to learn at the Arbor Day Farm, located in Nebraska City. This historic landmark pays tribute to the contribution of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day. His focus on conservation and commitment to planting trees across the state has had a huge impact on more than just the state’s landscape. The Steamboat Trace Bicycle Trail is also located in Nebraska City. It stretches over 21 miles and follows the path of an old railroad corridor. Even the explorers Lewis and Clark passed through this area on their way west.
Henry Doorly Zoo is more than just an attraction for local residents and visitors. The zoo has placed an emphasis on breeding endangered animals with the hope of being able to repopulate certain areas. It has the largest aquarium within a zoo and it’s impossible to miss the Desert Dome (the world’s largest indoor desert) and the Lied Jungle (North America’s largest indoor rainforest).
Located right in the middle of the state, Grand Island is a busy city. It’s home to the Nebraska State Fair every year as well as the Nebraska Sandhills. These sand dunes take up about 20,000 square miles and have plenty of local flora and fauna for residents to check out. There’s also the Stuhr Building, the central focus for the museums’ 200 acres of exploration. Guests can have a living history experience here.
The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum has a huge display of Cold War artifacts, including aircraft. Everything from missiles to space vehicles are featured here and there are a number of educational programs for adults and kids. There are even some robot animals that allow patrons to get a closer look at just how nature works.