I Live in and Love Omaha.

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I’ll admit, as a child I cursed Omaha, Neb. and swore I’d move out and never look back as soon as I turned 18.  I, like many of my other fifth-grade pals, thought places like California sounded much more appealing and had much more to offer.

Perhaps due to our young age, Omaha really didn’t have much to give us at the time.  Or maybe we gathered these bogus ideas from our parents and decided to stick with them, repeating our distaste for our hometown like a broken record.

But Omaha seems different now; this town has grown into something extraordinary with so many opportunities to offer. 

I take back all those daft words I muttered so long ago and will replace them with new ones - I love Omaha, Nebraska.

The reasons for falling in love with Omaha are virtually endless, from housing the nationally renowned Henry Doorly Zoo, to being the birthplace of talented people – hello Fred Astaire and Warren Buffett!

For those who are skeptical, know that I am not alone.  What Cheer, a small web design studio based in - you guessed it - Omaha, also enjoys the town they live in and developed the Web site www.iliveinomaha.com.  The Web site allows Omahans to share their reasons for loving and living in Omaha.

Among the different entries are my personal favorites, “I live in Omaha because it’s the best kept secret,” and, “…because I got here on accident, but after 16 years wouldn’t consider leaving.” 

After much inspiration from entries posted on the site and much contemplation, I have come up with my top three reasons of why I live in Omaha.

1.     Omaha gets bigger and better every year. 

From the newly designed North Downtown area that houses Slowdown, American Apparel and Film Streams, to the ever-expanding restaurant and neighborhood list of West O, Omaha’s getting big!

The activities, business and restaurants don’t show signs of stopping anytime soon – the progress of the city keeps charging ahead with new schools and neighborhoods, especially out west, to keep up with the increasing population.

And this summer, Omahans won’t have a problem finding fun in the city thanks to Mutual of Omaha’s Wild About Omaha Weekend, July 24 and 25.  The weekend will host many free events at a plethora of arts and entertainment venues including the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts located at 724 S. 12^th St., as well as the Hot Shops Art Center at 1301 Nicholas St.

2.  Omaha’s creative scene can’t be beat.

It’s practically inevitable – talk to any musically inclined person about Omaha, and Saddle Creek Records will come up.

As of late, the Omaha Indie label has been laying low – some of their past artists have recently released records with other labels - but Saddle Creek is still signing new acts and is also keeping busy with its extremely successful venue, the Slowdown, which opened in 2007. 

Aside from the Saddle Creek scene, many great out-of-town acts – Elton John two years in a row(!) -  come to Omaha to play to the crowd they’ve heard so much about.  The crowds don’t disappoint.  Neither do the bands.

The Disc Jockey scene is also coming to rise in Omaha, mashing up tunes and making people get down at events like Loom, Goo and Gunk.

And, with a variety of different venues to host shows and dance parties, we don’t have much to complain about – except for maybe missing out on some of the best nights because the event is 21+.

3.     Omaha, Nebraska truly IS the best kept secret

Go out of town to a big city and tell someone you’re from Nebraska – it’s surprising to find out what other people don’t know.

I’ve been asked before if we have cement roads and Walmarts – I’ve also had to answer the question, “What state is Nebraska in?”

Maybe the people I’ve come across didn’t have proper schooling and should consider taking some middle school courses again.  But whatever the problem, it’s their problem. 

Us Omahans are lucky to be in on the secret and we should only hope that one day our ignorant friends from other cities figure it out. 

We do have Walmarts, thank you, but we have much more to offer than any Walmart could – Omaha is a big city with big opportunity for success and growth, but also carries a small town feel with it, allowing us to feel safe and connected with one another.

           

            We must embrace our wonderful community and love what makes us so unique.  Sure, we’re not California with constant warmth and beaches.  We’re Nebraska, with four extremely different seasons that will tickle different fancies and keep us from getting bored.  Hey, it also means an expanded wardrobe!

            There’s something here for everyone, from the College World Series to McFoster’s Natural Kind Café.  You’ve just got to be willing to look and make it work.

            With Omaha’s big steps up since I was in the fifth grade, it’s clear we can only progress from here, and I know our love for Omaha can only grow fonder.