Moving to Omaha / Council Bluffs Area - Where should I look?

[woodie]

nebraska-millard
iowa-council bluffs- buy a house up on the top of the bluffs-that gives you a panoramic view of fuskerland.i lived in a nice house on the bluffs for 6 years until the company where i was employed was sould off. then i moved on to another job..

h@!@ the fuskers!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cyhawkdmb]

Could you elaborate on this one? I am single, live in Omaha and absolutely love it here. I don't think that feeling would change if I had a family.

Sure. Now this is my opinion, But a couple things that come to mind, are Property and Auto taxes tend to be cheaper in CB. Council Bluffs, typically gets the streets cleared alot quicker then Omaha during snow storms. Im talking side streets etc. Council Bluffs, has a Mayor that has been in office for over 20 years.... And to be completely honest just turn on the news... It is always something, like police and fireman union fights, mayor recall, wheel tax, reasturant tax, shootings... and cant blame just north O there has been a few in the last couple months in West O/Papillion...

Council Bluffs, is also alot easier to shop/eat at. You can get in and out of anything usually in a quick manor. And I can get to almost anywere in Omaha within 30 min. drive.....

Can you sell me on Omaha? Over Council Bluffs? I hightly doubt it....

I believe CB does a **** poor job of advertising its strengths just to the people in Omaha... if ya want to come back with the counciltucky comment, its not the 90's anymore... Plenty of white trash lives in Omaha.......even West O...

 

[BD4CY]

I think there is an ice arena in the Tranquility Park area (120th and Maple). Haven't been out that way in a while, but it was there 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[Enginerd]

Don't get me wrong Counciltuckians, CB is a great place for casinos, strip clubs, adult book stores, meth, etc. I mean just drive down Braodaway. Who wouldn't want to live there? And the Lewis Central area nestled between petroleum tanks and a power plant is simply adorable. Be sure to check out Carter Lake and Manawa too. It's like a snapshot of the evolution process. Counciltucky has a couple nice isolated developments but just drive around that **** hole and most people will come to the same conclusion.

 

[cyhawkdmb]

I will be moving there as well, fiance and I got a place in the River Park Apartments.

My wife and I lived there before we got married... It is a great apartment complex. This was before they added on... but they have a couple of good parties each year... Halloween and 4th of July come to mind.

 

[CarolinaCy]

If you're looking on the Omaha side, I living in Bennington, NE which I find pretty nice. Bennington is a small town on the NW side of Omaha with lots of new subdivisions around it. We live near 156th and State St. which is only 3 miles outside of Omaha city limits.

Bennington Schools have a great reputation in the area. Though Bennington itself is small (1000 people) I believe the high school has around 400 students so it's probably in the 2A class. There is an ice arena near 120th and Maple St. and plenty of churches; all within a 10 minute drive.

We live pretty far out from downtown Omaha, but I work in mid-town and can make it home in 30 minutes during rush hour. So really, anywhere in the Omaha area is 30 minutes from downtown as long as you don't go way far outside the city.

If you're comparing IA vs NE sides of the river, be prepared to pay much higher taxes on the NE side.

I'll second Bennington, we just bought a house there last fall (also 156th and State). Though we're technically a Bennington address, I consider it NW Omaha since we're not actually in the town of Bennington. We rarely go into Bennington since you can drive 5-10 min toward Omaha and find pretty much anything you need (Target, WalMart, Lowe's, Home Depot, Hy-Vee, restaurants, churches, etc.).

I work downtown and can get from door to door in about 30 minutes. Being able to take I-680 around the north side to downtown is a piece of cake, there's never any heavy traffic, no matter what time you're out.

 

[Steve]

Looking for a good school, smaller preferred. Prefer within 30 minutes of a Target, Modern Church, and Ice Arena. (strange requests... important for family...not first move).

Any experts on the area?

I don't believe that the deal has been finalized yet, but the city of Ralston is close to moving ahead on a huge ice arena facility that would be the new home of the Omaha Lancers plus offer facilities for public skating and youth sports.

Another area to look into is Papillion which is one of the fasting growing areas in the metro. It offers good neighborhoods, top schools, and growing shopping/entertainment options (new Omaha Royals stadium) while retaining a small town atmosphere.

Ralston ice arena plans take shape - Omaha.com

 

[TitanClone]

Don't get me wrong Counciltuckians, CB is a great place for casinos, strip clubs, adult book stores, meth, etc. I mean just drive down Braodaway. Who wouldn't want to live there? And the Lewis Central area nestled between petroleum tanks and a power plant is simply adorable. Be sure to check out Carter Lake and Manawa too. It's like a snapshot of the evolution process. Counciltucky has a couple nice isolated developments but just drive around that **** hole and most people will come to the same conclusion.

Broadway and East CB = 2 completely different places. I would never live in downtown CB.

I've lived in CB for 18 years and I would guess I'm in downtown once every other week, probably not even that much.

When was the last time you've been through the area? West Broadway is still pretty much the same as always, but they've made improvements to East Broadway.

To the OP, I forgot to mention this in my first post.
School sizes in CB.
AL and TJ; Around 300 in their graduating class last year.
LC: 165
St. Alberts: 40-60
Treynor: Not positive but I would guess 50-75.

 

[cydsho]

Seriously, I would not move within the Omaha city limits. They have so many budget problems I think services are really going to take a hit in the future. I live in Sarpy county in the Gretna school district. I like the semi-small town atmos, good schools, neighborhoods and you still have easy access to everything. Property taxes are high but they are high everywhere in Nebr.

 

[Cyclones26]

Don't get me wrong Counciltuckians, CB is a great place for casinos, strip clubs, adult book stores, meth, etc. I mean just drive down Braodaway. Who wouldn't want to live there? And the Lewis Central area nestled between petroleum tanks and a power plant is simply adorable. Be sure to check out Carter Lake and Manawa too. It's like a snapshot of the evolution process. Counciltucky has a couple nice isolated developments but just drive around that **** hole and most people will come to the same conclusion.

I knew it would come to this. The west end is what I assume you are talking about, which the city is working on to improve everyday. East CB where I grew up is very nice. I still live there and live in a very high class neighborhood. Seems like you have an ax to grind.

And TitanClone I think your pretty spot on with the class sizes of schools.
LC is probably somewhere around 230 I would say. AL and TJ just a little bigger than 350. Treynor varies anywhere from 55-80

 

[cyhawkdmb]

I knew it would come to this. The west end is what I assume you are talking about, which the city is working on to improve everyday. East CB where I grew up is very nice. I still live there and live in a very high class neighborhood. Seems like you have an ax to grind.

And TitanClone I think your pretty spot on with the class sizes of schools.
LC is probably somewhere around 230 I would say. AL and TJ just a little bigger than 350. Treynor varies anywhere from 55-80

The "counciltucky guy" is the same guy that gets P.O'ed when North O gets lumped in to all of Omaha.... Its not a one way street bud.... 1-2 Murnders a week... Omaha is just terrinble for Murders.... So if ya like putting your family in situations were there is a shooting everynight then be my guest....... just plain childish to compare the 2...

I didnt grow up in Council Bluffs, But moved here in 2000. We lived in River Park apartments, which were great for us being young and looking for a good time. Then we bought our first home around 21st and Ave. C... Lived there for several years, but once we had our first kid, we knew that we were not going to go to the schools around there. So we moved to East CB. And we love the area...

The only problem I see with the OP is the Ice Rink, Which sounds like it will be solved in the next couple years... with the arena and rink in the 72nd and q area..

 

[isuforlife]

Don't get me wrong Counciltuckians, CB is a great place for casinos, strip clubs, adult book stores, meth, etc. I mean just drive down Braodaway. Who wouldn't want to live there? And the Lewis Central area nestled between petroleum tanks and a power plant is simply adorable. Be sure to check out Carter Lake and Manawa too. It's like a snapshot of the evolution process. Counciltucky has a couple nice isolated developments but just drive around that **** hole and most people will come to the same conclusion.

and what trailer park u live in?

 

[Wesley]

My wife and I just bought a house in Elkhorn, which is technically west of Omaha but has been annexed into city limits. We will be in NW Omaha. The biggest thing for us was staying out of Omaha Public Schools systems, Millard and Elkhorn have better reputations for public and there are several good (but expensive) private schools all over town. There are several options near Millard and Elkhorn for Target, etc.. Also I work in Council Bluffs and can make my commute during the rush in about 35 minutes most days so not bad.

I don't believe there are any ice arenas in west O so if that makes or breaks you, you may want to look farther east.

I thought there was a big ice arena Maple and 120th area in NW Omaha. Check the white pages.

Targets - 3 in west Omaha (Crossroads, 180th and Center and on Maple.

Several new apartment complexes on Dodger and Center.

Lots of used houses available that are cheap right now in the house market....just like everywhere.

Lots of lakes. Cunningham Lake near 72nd and 680 is for sailing.

All the big box stores moved in long ago in west O.

Gretna, Elkhorn, and Millard schools are the best.

Gretna has small town feel.

So does older parts of Elkhorn.

 

[capitalcityguy]

For what it is worth, as an Iowa State fan, I'd pick living on the Iowa side IF I could find all the amenities I'm after including a short commute to work.

 

[Wesley]

I'll second Bennington, we just bought a house there last fall (also 156th and State). Though we're technically a Bennington address, I consider it NW Omaha since we're not actually in the town of Bennington. We rarely go into Bennington since you can drive 5-10 min toward Omaha and find pretty much anything you need (Target, WalMart, Lowe's, Home Depot, Hy-Vee, restaurants, churches, etc.).

I work downtown and can get from door to door in about 30 minutes. Being able to take I-680 around the north side to downtown is a piece of cake, there's never any heavy traffic, no matter what time you're out.

Express Metro buses runto downtown from west O off Dodge, Center, Q to about 156th or 180th streets. So you park and ride for $1.50 each way.
Northern 680 Freeway is low traffic compared to I-80 Southern freeway.

 

[cycloneSOULja]

SOULjas live on the north side. Keep it real, ha ha!

Seriously, I'm sorry you have to move to Omaha. My deepest sympathies go your way. Best of luck

 

[Enginerd]

The "counciltucky guy" is the same guy that gets P.O'ed when North O gets lumped in to all of Omaha....

Not at all. You have to take the bad wioth the good. North Omaha is a **** hole. Judging form this thread, it's obvious that "inferiority complex guy" gets P.O'ed when west CB, Carter Lake, Lake Manawa, south CB, central CB and north CB gets lumped into the rest of CB. I admitted there are some nice pockets in CB but even by the pro-CB posts it is the exception not the rule.


The only problem I see with the OP is the Ice Rink, Which sounds like it will be solved in the next couple years... with the arena and rink in the 72nd and q area..

What does that have to do with Counciltucky?

I am just messing with you guys anyways. I know how thin skinned you CB guys are. CB has improved over the years but let's not get carried away. It's kind of like trying to clean up Courtney Love.

 

[AdRock4Cy]

If you're looking on the Omaha side, I living in Bennington, NE which I find pretty nice. Bennington is a small town on the NW side of Omaha with lots of new subdivisions around it. We live near 156th and State St. which is only 3 miles outside of Omaha city limits.

Bennington Schools have a great reputation in the area. Though Bennington itself is small (1000 people) I believe the high school has around 400 students so it's probably in the 2A class. There is an ice arena near 120th and Maple St. and plenty of churches; all within a 10 minute drive.

We live pretty far out from downtown Omaha, but I work in mid-town and can make it home in 30 minutes during rush hour. So really, anywhere in the Omaha area is 30 minutes from downtown as long as you don't go way far outside the city.

If you're comparing IA vs NE sides of the river, be prepared to pay much higher taxes on the NE side.

Isn't bennington's mascot the bunnies?

 

[NebrClone]

Please stay in Iowa, we need all the tax paying citizens we can get.

Omaha's budget is so far in the red in the future that they will have to have hefty increases in property taxes to stay solevent.

 

[drmwevr08]

Isn't bennington's mascot the bunnies?

Benson.