Thinking about living in Omaha? Not only is Omaha one of the best places to live in the Midwest—but it’s also one of the most affordable cities to live in. With a vibrant downtown, plenty of job opportunities, and tons of family-friendly activities, this Gateway to the West has something for everybody. If you’re moving to Omaha, here are five safe, affordable neighborhoods to consider!
Aksarben
- Home Price: $275,000 median purchase price; $952 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 2% of Nebraska cities
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals
Aksarben is one of the best Omaha neighborhoods for location, affordable housing, and things to do. Once a popular horse racetrack, Aksarben Village is now a bustling area with coffee shops, local restaurants, fitness studios, modern apartments, and historic bungalows. This neighborhood is also close to award-winning schools like Nebraska Medicine, College of Saint Mary, and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. And although this Omaha neighborhood has been revitalized with new entertainment areas, Aksarben is home to Elmwood Park, a green space sprawling over 215 acres right in the city!
Things to Do in Aksarben
Check out local events at Stinson Park like Maha Festival, TOAST Nebraska Wine Festival, and Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series. Shop the Omaha Farmers Market every Sunday from May to October for fresh produce, baked goods, and locally made crafts. Rent bikes from Heartland B-Cycle, and hop on the Keystone Trail to coast through the city of Omaha. Head to Baxter Arena for a UNO Mavericks (D-I) hockey game or concert from artists like The Beach Boys, Nelly, and more. Explore Aksarben Village, where you’ll find Omaha attractions like the Inner Rail Food Hall and the off-leash dog park, Canine Courtyard Bark Park. Try New Orleans-inspired dishes like Nola Shrimp, Muffuletta, or Crawfish Jambalaya at Herbe Sainte. Sink your teeth into Filet Mignon, Prime Rib Pasta, or Grilled Whiskey Ribeye at Gorat’s Steak House. Savor Chinese dishes like Crab Rangoon, Sesame Chicken, or Hunan Shrimp at Three Happiness Express. Or crunch on some of the best tacos in Omaha like The Dirty Bird Taco, Cajun Pollo Street Taco, or Carne Asada Street Taco at Voodoo Taco.
Dundee
- Home Price: $233,500 median purchase price; $772 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 2% of Nebraska cities
- Perfect For: Families, retirees
Looking for city boulevards lined with historical homes, local restaurants, a community garden, and a nationally-recognized ice cream shop? Then Dundee is the Omaha neighborhood for you! You can find Colonial, Georgian, and Tudor Revival houses, as well as updated apartments, condos, and rental homes in this tight-knit, family-friendly community. In addition, Dundee is a very walkable area, with trendy restaurants and shops lining Underwood Ave. The neighborhood is also home to Memorial Park—which hosts the annual Memorial Park Concert—and top-rated schools like Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Parish & School and Brownell Talbot.
Things to Do in Dundee
Visit Memorial Park to play on the playground, challenge friends to a softball game, or stroll along the trails weaving throughout the 67-acre space. Thrift for furniture, home decor, and other knick-knacks at Dundee Flea. Grab a glass of wine and a charcuterie board at Lola’s Cafe before you catch the latest blockbuster at Omaha’s oldest and newly refurbished cinema, Film Streams‘ Dundee Theater. Pick up a new book or bring your little one to kid-friendly events in East O like Baby Storytime or Music and Movement at the A.V. Sorensen Omaha Public Library. Get your caffeine fix at Dundee Double Shot Coffee when you order a Salty Irishman, Snickerdoodle, or Spotted Cow Latte. Enjoy brunch in Omaha and order the Saddle Creek Standard, Burrata Toast, or Egg Salad Club at Saddle Creek Breakfast Club. Head out for delicious Italian dishes like Salmon Bruschetta, Carbonara, or Branzini at Avoli Osteria. Build your own Falafel or Doner Kabob with a side of Curry Fries at Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob. Or treat yourself to some of the best ice cream in Omaha like Coffee Toffee or Butter Brickle at eCreamery Ice Cream & Gelato.
Northwest Omaha
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- Home Price: $200,000 median purchase price; $1,010 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 2% of Nebraska cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Northwest Omaha offers a more suburban feel within the city limits! Here, you can find two and three-story homes, as well as ranches, townhomes, and affordable apartments in Omaha. Subdivisions within this area often host a variety of family-friendly events like Easter egg hunts, Fourth of July bike parades, and Halloween parties. Northwest Omaha is also home to Standing Bear Lake and Tranquility Park—both of which offer outdoor recreation like biking, playgrounds, and more. And that’s not all! Thanks to quick interstate access, residents of this Omaha neighborhood are close to a number of golf courses, shopping and dining areas, and other fun attractions!
Things to Do in Northwest Omaha
Tee off at scenic Omaha golf courses when you play a round of nine at Eagle Run Golf Course—or a full 18 at Knolls Golf Course. Become a member at Champions Run, and enjoy tennis courts, a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a fitness center. Bike the three-mile Standing Bear Lake Loop trail, or spend an afternoon fishing at Standing Bear Lake. Lace up your ice skates for the public skating hours at Moylan Iceplex. Dine on high-quality European-American cuisine when you order the Salmon Ceviche, Shrimp Papardelle, or Potato Gnocchi at Brushi. Snack on inventive dishes like Mapo Tofu and Crispy Garlic Beef, or try some of Omaha’s best sushi like the Highway 80 and Husker Roll at Hiro 88. Get your Chinese food fix at Dragon Wok with dishes like Vegetable Lo Mein, Fire Cracker Chicken, or Kung Pao Shrimp. Or indulge in bar food favorites like Totchos, Spaulding Quesadillas, or Billy Baroo Soft Pretzels at Caddy Shack Sports Bar & Grill.
West Omaha
- Home Price: $350,000 median purchase price; $932 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 2% of Nebraska cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Located within 30 minutes of Downtown Omaha, West Omaha is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city! The area is known for its dense suburban feel populated with spacious single-family homes, neighborhood parks, malls, and restaurants. It also has access to the popular Zorinsky Lake, which provides residents with over 900 acres of water, park grounds, and wildlife to appreciate. Not to mention, West Omaha is a top destination for young families, thanks to the Millard Public School District with top-ranking schools like Aldrich Elementary School and Millard North High School.
Things to Do in West Omaha
Visit Village Pointe Shopping Mall to shop at stores like lululemon, Kendra Scott, and Scheels. Walk the trails around the lake, set up a picnic, or go kayaking at Zorinsky Lake. Catch a comedy show from side-splitting comedians like Ben Bailey and Kris Covi—or attend events like Dinner, Drinks & Drag at the Omaha Funny Bone Comedy Club. Gather your closest friends and try to survive the sinking of the Titanic or fend off zombies during the apocalypse at Locked Room Omaha. Beat the rush for breakfast at Vidlak’s Brookside Café and enjoy an Omaha Omelet, the Gut Buster, or the Hungry Man’s Breakfast. Dig into creative gourmet burgers like the Omaha Sourdough, Brown Sugar, or Berry Hungover at Omaha Tap House. Stop by Railcar Modern American Kitchen to try Asiago Crusted Chicken Schnitzel, Thai Chicken Flatbread, or Seattle Barbecued Faroe Island Salmon. Or sink your teeth into a slice of New York-style pizza in Omaha like The Ducci, Mahalo, or Summa Dis Summa Dat at Piezon’s Pizzeria.
Westside
- Home Price: $395,000 median purchase price; $963 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 2% of Nebraska cities
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Despite being framed by major Omaha streets like S 90th St, W Center Rd, and Pacific St, Westside is a quiet, mostly residential neighborhood. One of Omaha’s older areas, Westside offers homes in a variety of styles and options—including Bungalows and Ranches, along with Contemporary apartments. One of the biggest draws of living in Westside—particularly for families—is Westside Community Schools (also called District 66), which includes the highly-rated Westside High School. Of course, affordable homes and schools aren’t the only thing this Omaha neighborhood has to offer. There’s also plenty of shopping, walkable areas, and top Omaha restaurants to check out!
Things to Do in Westside
Swing by Countryside Village for local shops like the Made in Omaha home goods store. Sign your kiddos up for the Gators Swim Team or escape the summer heat by spending an afternoon swimming at Westgate Pool. Snag the latest release or a favorite classic at local bookstore The Bookworm Omaha. Visit Rockbrook Village, where you can find batting cages at The Strike Zone Omaha, local clothing stores like Four Sisters Boutique, or fitness studios such as Element Pilates. Go to local craft store, Mangelsen’s, where you can enroll in craft classes like Friendly Hook Crochet Workshop or Basic Cake Decorating. Have a delicious lunch in Omaha with a Goat Cheese Salad, Crab Cakes, or Roasted Brisket Sandwich at the Market Basket. Order comfort favorites like the Cinn-Ful Chicken, Triple Decker Gourmet Grilled Cheese, or Manhattan Sandwich at FarmHouse Cafe & Bakery. Enjoy the wood-fired roasted Lamb Burger, St. Louis Ribs, Prohibition Chicken, and more at Timber Wood Fire Bistro. Or sit down for a delicious Mexican dinner with the Chimichanga, Chile Relleno, and Quesadilla Grande at Fernando’s.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes, Redfin, and City-Data.
