Omaha
Rising out of the prairies and cornfields of the heartland, Omaha serves as a cultural wellspring and economic powerhouse for the region. Downtown has seen a lot of development in recent years, and now serves up a huge selection of trendy shopping, dining, and entertainment, particularly around the Old Market; the Blackstone neighborhood has also emerged as a new hotspot for adventurous restauranteurs and hip nightlife. The robust live music scene in Omaha is one of the city’s worst-kept secrets, with national publications singing the praises of popular venues like the Waiting Room and the annual Maha Music Festival at Stinson Park. Omaha is serious about college sports – the University of Nebraska’s Cornhuskers are hometown heroes, and the city is the longtime home to the College World Series every summer. For more relaxing downtime, soak in views of the Missouri River (and wave to Council Bluffs, Iowa) from Heartland of America Park, or pack up your picnic basket and head over to Standing Bear reservoir.
Council Bluffs
Located just across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska, Council Bluffs is the largest city in Southwest Iowa. Council Bluffs’ roots date back to the early 1800s, and the city exudes a distinctive sense of historic charm to this day. Council Bluffs honors its rich past with several historic districts, fascinating museums, monuments, and well-preserved buildings. The city even features gorgeously renovated loft apartments in vintage structures, many of which are available for rent. Along with its unique historic character, Council Bluffs is revered for its natural beauty and the ample opportunities for outdoor recreation it affords. The sprawling Lake Manawa State Park is located in the city, boasting picnic shelters and multi-use trails along a picturesque 772-acre lake perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating. Loess Hills National Scenic Byway touts stunning vistas all year as well. Some of the major employers in Council Bluffs include casinos, manufacturing plants, and tech giant Google. Commuting and traveling from Council Bluffs is simple with convenience to Interstates 29, 80, and 480 as well as multiple railroads and Eppley Airfield.
Abilene
Abilene is a family-friendly suburb in West Texas, offering easy commutes with access to several interstate highways and the Abilene Regional Airport. Visit the Abilene Zoological Park to view 600 live animals, feed the giraffes, take a safari train ride, or explore lakefront views in Abilene with fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. Learn the story of Texas through art, science, and history exhibits at the Grace Museum, or explore Frontier Texas, a world-class interactive museum in historic downtown with occasional community events. Children attend public schools in the Abilene Independent School District, and the city houses multiple colleges such as Hardin-Simmons University. Residents enjoy Abilene’s public parks like Red Bud Park with its own prairie dog preserve, as well as athletic fields, a playground, and jogging trails. Become a member of the Abilene Country Club, a pristine private club with a golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and more. Explore the Mall of Abilene for all of your retail shopping needs, and be sure to try delicious local eateries like Lytle Land & Cattle Company for the best steaks in Texas! An abundance of affordable apartments and condos are available for rent in this peaceful, lakefront suburb.
