anyone living in Omaha Nebraska? what's it like?

Dee24

We are considering moving there with my husbands job.... Would love to hear advice if anyone has any?

What's cost of living like?
Are taxes high?
What kind of a city is it?
I'm general what is annual leave like?
What's it like to rent?
Are there many irish there?

Dave1442397

Cost of living is a little lower than national average - http://www.forbes.com/places/ne/omaha/

Sales tax is 5.5% and there are also local taxes up to 1.5%. You can see that and state income tax here - http://www.bankrate.com/finance/taxes/state-taxes-nebraska.aspx

Some info on the city - http://www.bestplaces.net/city/nebraska/omaha
and http://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/moving-to-omaha/

Annual vacation time is entirely dependent on the company you work for. Typically, most white collar jobs will start with two weeks vacation plus holidays (9 or 10 days). Some will have separate personal days (1 or 2) and sick days (up to 5), but many companies lump it all together into one pool, and your time is reduced every time you take a day off.

Most US companies use an accrual system for vacation time, and in some instances they won't let you use it until you accrue it. For example, if you are given two weeks vacation, you will have accrued 1.17 days by the end of January.

Vacation time is negotiable. Always ask for three weeks before you sign the paperwork for a new job. I've only had that request turned down once in 25 years.

Rent seems pretty cheap, at least compared to here - http://www.zillow.com/homes/Omaha-NE_rb/

There is an Irish community there - http://www.omahairishculturalcenter.com/

Also check Facebook - I saw a few pages pop up for Irish associations in Omaha.

Dee24

Thanks so much for your help Dave - I really really appreciate it :-D

Dee24

Thanks so much for your help Dave - I really really appreciate it :-D

CompositeJohn

I actually just got back from Omaha after spending Thanksgiving with friends there.

What Dave replied with is spot on. Hardest thing I found to get used to was the accrual of vacation days and 2 weeks is tough to deal at first so negotiate more if you can.

I like Omaha, as with anywhere in the midwest, the people are generally friendly and a good sense of community but big enough to have a good cultural scene, big city conveniences and a number of universities in the vicinity, Creighton and University of Nebraska out in Lincoln namely. The Zoo is great and Husker games and the College World Series are great fun.

Not so far north that the weather gets horrible in the winter but there will be rapid changes in temps as is normal in the midwest.

From chatting to my friend this week, the job scene is good with low unemployment (a plus if you will also have a work visa) and a lot of development going on.

Cost of living when it comes to housing in the midwest is great and Omaha is typical of that, certainly if you decide to buy eventually. Renting is generally unfurnished which is something to be mindful of, if you can find a place with full appliances and washer/drier it helps limit costs initially and when it comes time to move again. Negotiate an initial hotel / apartment (and rental car) costs with company until you get situated if you do move as this is pretty normal fare.

Nebraska as with Kansas where I live is deeply conservative when it comes to politics as a whole, Omaha however is pretty moderate conservative, best described as fiscal conservative, social liberal and comparable to most larger midwest cities. I tend to bite my lip quite frequently in Wichita to keep the peace given its smaller size and more bible thumping, gun swinging mindset!

Accessibility wise its similar to other cities in the midwest, long car drives on the interstates but you get used to it. Kansas City is about 3 hours away and has a great Paddys day parade and Irish festival and good Irish scene overall with a GAA club. As with anywhere in the US, everyone claims to be Irish so that wont be a problem in Omaha :-) but I cannot comment on the number for born and bred Irish, not many here in Wichita for sure!

Some decent direct flights out of the airport, namely New York, DC, Chicago, Atlanta and Charlotte which help finding a good 1 stop option when flying home (In Wichita we are limited to through Chicago and Atlanta for a one stop flight home)

If you decide to move feel free to send me a PM and I can try get info on the better places of the city to live, for proximity to work, low crime, schools (if needed) etc

Watch Ryder

I don't live their, but I do live in the neighboring state of Coloradica (Colorado), it's more expensive there typically and up north the liberals tend to keep to the big cities like Denver.