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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options-house styles, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, the convenience of location-it all can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we’ve researched the best neighborhoods in Omaha for you, so you don’t have to (and by the way of introduction, we’re Bellhop—your friendly Omaha movers). We’ve examined what it’s like living in each of these highlighted neighborhoods. And we’ve created in-depth guides with insider scoops on close-by, popular destinations. Soon, you’ll be living like a local.
A Little About Omaha and its Neighborhoods
While Omaha has gained a reputation as a flyover city, there’s far more to its metro area and residential options than this quick-judgment suggests. Omaha features great communities, arts, culture, and entertainment. And it features popular destinations like the Josyln Art Museum and the Holland Performing Arts Center. Throughout the year, locals and visitors enjoy art events, outdoor concerts, and numerous ethnic festivals to celebrate Omaha’s rich history.
The city features cutting-edge business innovation and high-ranking education options, including several award-winning schools and nationally recognized universities. And its school districts boast of high graduation rates and academic success. Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska, with close to 1,000,000 residents of all different ages. The city offers a low cost of living but still has a robust business climate and a strong job market.
The area also appeals to sports fans, hosting the NCAA Men’s Baseball College World Series each year. And locals love to support the Cornhuskers, The University of Nebraska’s football team. Besides sports, the city invites residents to attend plenty of activities that are friendly to families and singles alike. Street markets, block parties, trick-or-treat events, and music festivals fill up the calendars of Omaha locals.
This city is known for being family-friendly, and families make up most of the local population. But you’ll also find many young professionals and younger residents who are attending the local colleges and universities. While suburb-livers have to depend on their cars for transportation, Omaha’s Downtown area is very walkable and offers The Metro transit system and the B-cycle public bike-share system.
Here, you’ll find great dining and drinking hubs, parks and outdoor recreation, and popular entertainment and historic districts. This city has a range of housing options that can fit the needs of any resident, whether you’re looking for a luxury condo, an affordable apartment, your first fixer-upper house, or a larger, long-term home. Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of this city’s top neighborhoods. Join us in exploring the five best neighborhoods in Omaha.
Looking for something else? Check out our guide on family-friendly neighborhoods in Omaha. .
DUNDEE
Nestled in the heart of Omaha, Dundee sits just a few miles west of Downtown. This neighborhood is extremely walkable. It features popular spots like the eCreamery ice cream shop, the hip Pitch Pizzeria, and the award-winning Legend Comics and Coffee. Many of these well-loved local hubs are just a few blocks away from the maple tree-lined residential streets in the neighborhood.
Dundee is full of charm and features pretty, historic homes. Residents are part of a strong community and keep the area beautiful and clean. Dundee is also one of the safest areas in Omaha. Homes are affordable at a median price of just under $200,000. And the American Planning Association named it one of the 10 best neighborhoods in the nation due to its beautiful architecture, natural outdoor areas, top school districts, and amenities.
Residents of Dundee throw regular community events like the annual Fourth of July Parade. But for the best experience of Dundee’s biggest celebration, visit during the annual Dundee Day street festival. This event invites locals and visitors to enjoy a parade, a 5K run, art and craft vendors, a book sale, breakfast foods, food trucks, live music, and local beer.
When residents aren’t partying together, they enjoy the nearby vibrant retail center and numerous local restaurants and taverns. Dundee is also home to several popular parks, like Elmwood Park. Its biggest and best green space, Memorial Park. This park has picnic spots, walking paths, a baseball field, hosts concerts, and is speckled with hundreds of rose bushes.
Recently, Dundee’s Downtown has seen a major rehab. The Dundee Theater, built in 1925 has been transformed and re-awakened, and now it includes a bookstore in addition to its theater rooms. Dundee is also the proud home of Paul McCartney, and Warren Buffett has lived in the neighborhood for over 60 years.
BENSON
Benson sits just five miles northwest of Downtown. It’s set up in a block system with small, quiet streets, lined by large trees and featuring smaller, charming homes. This historic neighborhood was originally planned and mapped out in 1887. Today, it’s a hot nightlife district. And it’s loaded with popular drinking hubs like the Benson Brewery, Barley Street Tavern, The Sydney, Krug Park, and Burke’s Bar.
This area is packed with plenty of the best dining options in the city. Check out 1912 Benson for juicy, cheesy burgers and a rooftop deck. Or, for a fancier night out, spend the evening at Au Courant Regional Kitchen and sample their European-style dishes. Other great spots include Burrito Envy and Tequila Bar, Barchan Beer Garden, Lot 2, and Hardy Coffee Co.
Thanks to its central location and thriving local businesses, Benson has become known as the heart of Omaha. Its happening main streets are balanced with long-standing historic buildings and great local parks. And the area nearby Maple Street is thriving and diverse.
This neighborhood is a top spot for foodies, but also popular among artists, musicians, and young professionals. Residents enjoy the area’s numerous locally-owned businesses like Yoga Now, Omaha Bicycle Company, The Waiting Room music venue, and several boutiques. Benson’s downtown also hosts numerous annual happenings, like the popular Benson SummerFest. And they fill the rest of the calendar with special one-off events like live concerts, food festivals, and fundraisers.
AKSARBEN / MORTON MEADOWS
This set of neighborhoods sits about five miles southwest of Downtown, Omaha. The streets are very charming and just what you’d imagine when thinking of a pleasant place to take a walk. The sidewalks are bordered on one side by trimmed grassy lawns and the other side by large trees and old-fashioned lamposts. But the area doesn’t feel uppity. Morton Meadows is friendly and full of families. And the housing prices welcome people of all financial backgrounds.
Some of the homes in the area are up to 100 years old, giving this neighborhood even more charm and character. This area is also surrounded by lots of restaurants and parks. Elmwood Park is home to a popular golf course. And Field Club is lined by biking and running trails. The neighboring Aksarben Village features a popular park, as well as a bustling shopping center and business district full of bars, restaurants, shops, a gym, a movie theater, and local events.
The local gem, Modern Love, is one of Morton Meadows’ most beloved and visited amenities. This vegan restaurant, a second location after the first opened in Brooklyn, serves up satiating comfort dishes made from scratch. The neighborhood also hosts the hugely popular Maha Music Festival. This all-day summer fest has hosted numerous indie-rock bands over the past 10 years including Run the Jewels, Modest Mouse, and Death Cab for Cutie.
DOWNTOWN
This neighborhood is perfect for singles, young professionals, and empty nesters. Full of activities, Omaha’s downtown is home to hot dining spots, parks, venues, and various company headquarters. In this energetic center of the city, you’ll also find the Gene Leahy Mall and the CenturyLink Center. The Center, a 17,000-seat arena that hosts the College World Series every summer and big-time music artists like Paul McCartney and Lady Gaga.
Downtown features some of the best places in Omaha to grab a beer or bite to eat. This area of the city is also home to the indie-rock label, Saddle Creek Records’ rock club called Slowdown. Downtown is also known for its big events, like the annual Heartland Pride Parade & Festival and the SeptemberFest.
Downtown Omaha is very pedestrian-friendly. Housing, especially apartments and condos, is continually being built and expanded. And many residents live just a few blocks away from their workplace and numerous amenities. These locals tend to walk in the mornings to their jobs in one of Downtown’s high-rises and walk home in the evenings to their lofts and condos. The area is also full of new walkways, biking trails, and a boardwalk, getting locals out and on their feet.
OLD MARKET
Located right on the border of Downtown, and less than a mile away from all Downtown’s offerings sits the tiny Old Market. Settled in only a few blocks, Old Market is packed with amenities and residents. This area is known for its quirky antique shops, old rehabbed factory buildings, and bright murals. And the cobblestone streets are lined with shops, restaurants, breweries, cafes, and hotels.
Old Market is Omaha’s most historic neighborhood. But amidst its historic streets are many newly built apartment and condo buildings. It hosts the Omaha Farmer’s Market every Saturday from May to October and packs in vendors selling grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, locally grown produce, and handmade crafts. And this little neighborhood also hosts one of the largest blues festivals each year, In the Market for Blues.
There you have it: the 5 best neighborhoods in Omaha!
We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. As we said, we coordinate local and long-distance moving services in Omaha, and we would love to help.
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