Omaha Real Estate and Information

Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and is located in Douglas County. It is the anchor to the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area which includes Council Bluffs, Iowa across the Missouri River which separates both states. Omaha is considered as being located in the "Heartland" of the United States and has a population of over 500,000 residents making it the nation's 41st largest city.

In 1854 when the city was founded and given the nickname "Gateway to the West," Omaha's central location in the United States spurred the city to become an important national transportation hub and remains that way for the Union Pacific Railroad. In the 20th century, the Omaha Stockyards, once the world's largest, and its meat packing plants, gained international prominence and sets the city apart as having fantastic beef and long-time butchers. It is now home to the headquarters of five Fortune 500 companies and many local businesses.

Shopping and Dining

In 2009, Forbes identified Omaha as the nation's number one "Best Bang-For-The Buck City" and number one on "America's Fastest-Recovering Cities" list and rightly so. Omaha offers unique boutiques you won't find anywhere else, indoor and outdoor malls and quaint shopping centers. Village Pointe Shopping Center is south of West Dodge Road near 168th Street and features more than 60 exceptional specialty retail, dining, and entertainment offerings. The Shops of Legacy is close by and one of Nebraska's largest upscale shopping centers with over 120,000 square feet of shops and restaurants and focuses on non-chain establishments. The Old Market district is four, square city blocks just west of the Missouri River on the most eastern edge of the city. It includes dining, entertainment and retail placed upon cobblestone-street parted brick buildings with hidden pathways and multilevel structures to explore. Go for a carriage ride, enjoy live musicians in the street or sample drinks at the many breweries and bars in the district. For strictly indoor adventures, visit Westroad Mall. It is located just north of West Dodge Road and 102nd Street and boasts over 130 retailers to explore in a comfortable and traditional indoor mall setting.

Parks and Recreation

Omaha has over 220 parks that cover nearly 11,000 acres. Currently there are 120 miles of recreational trails, eight municipal golf courses, 18 pools, eight spray grounds, 15 community centers, 221 tennis courts, eight pickle ball courts, a nature center, an ice rink, a newly renovated trap and skeet range and much more. Glenn Cunningham Lake is 23 feet deep and over 1,050 acres of parkland surround the lake, including 450 acres designated as wildlife area. If walking and hiking are for you, visit the American Discovery Trail that runs through the city and traverses the entire United States or the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that runs from Missouri to Washington. To find out more from the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department, visit the website at parks.cityofomaha.org. 

Living

Omaha is generally divided into six geographic areas: Downtown, Midtown, North Omaha, South Omaha, West Omaha, and East Omaha. West Omaha includes the Miracle Hills, Boys Town, Regency, and Gateway areas. The city has a wide range of historical and new neighborhoods and suburbs that reflect its socioeconomic diversity. 

Schools, Health and Transportation

Omaha Public Schools, is the largest school district in the state of Nebraska. This public school district serves a diverse community of nearly 51,000 students at over 80 elementary and secondary schools. For more information on the Omaha School district, visit their website: district.ops.org. 

Nebraska Medical Center is a nationally ranked hospital and the Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital is a regionally ranked hospital in Omaha with specialties ranging from kidney transplant or orthopedics to cancer.