Lincoln, NE
Nebraska truly symbolizes the nation's breadbasket. Wheat fields, corn fields, and hogs provide our country with much of its food. West of Omaha is the capital city of Lincoln, and although it's not a great and sprawling metropolis, it has an inviting, upscale atmosphere. Spreading out from the downtown core and the state capital grounds is a wonderful mix of residential neighborhoods, parks, and historical landmarks.
When you visit this city, you'll find yourself more than welcome by the locals. There's a family feel wherever you go, and you immediately feel you are part of that family. The economy is quite varied for a city of this size — approximately 125,000 inhabitants in the greater Lincoln area and growing — but it's not centered primarily around agriculture. A recent boom in the high-tech industrial sector is quite evident. Startup companies in the areas of programming, health care management, and other important industries have led to much of the city's growth over the past decade.
The weather here is warm and slightly humid during the summer months, but in the winter the temperature drops significantly. December and January are cold and dry. There's also the risk of tornadoes in the spring. Snowfall is rather light in the winter, and most of the summer rainfall is in the form of squalls and quickly dissipating cloudbursts.
If you're contemplating a move to Lincoln, you'll be pleased to learn that the average single-family home cost is well below the national average. Apartment rentals are also affordable, much less expensive than in Omaha. The school system is well-managed, and the city is home to the University of Nebraska.
Lincoln is very family-friendly, and there are plenty of attractions for you and your kids. These include the Lincoln Children's Zoo, the National Museum of Roller Skating, and the unrivaled Sunken Gardens. The restaurants in town serve up traditional Mid-American favorites, oversized cheeseburgers, and European delicacies. What you probably don't know is that Lincoln has a large Asian population, particularly Vietnamese, and you'll soon discover the delights of Vietnamese cooking at the numerous cafes and sit-down restaurants in the downtown area. When you travel by car to the central business district, you'll find plenty of covered parking. The downtown core is laid out in a grid pattern of streets, and bike trails connect the central business district with the outlying subdivisions.
The city continues to expand in all directions, and most of the new housing construction and apartment complexes are located about five miles from the city center. Don't worry about getting about, however. There are plenty of arterials, and most neighborhoods are less than two miles from the freeway. Whatever part of the city you choose to call home, you'll find friendly neighbors, happy children, lots of nearby shops and salons, and an overall feeling of peace and content.