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.
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.
Beaumont
Situated about an hour east of Houston, Beaumont is a historic city regarded for being the site of the first major oil discovery of the Texas Oil Boom. Beaumont honors its storied past with an array of fascinating museums, including the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, Texas Energy Museum, Art Museum of Southeast Texas, and the Edison Museum. Beaumont exudes a small-town atmosphere with a charming downtown district and a strong sense of community. Residents enjoy a broad range of apartments and houses available for rent along tree-lined avenues in Beaumont. The city is also home to Lamar University, making it a top choice for many students, faculty, and staff. Beaumont is revered for its excellent recreational opportunities, boasting close proximity to Tyrrell Park, Village Creek State Park, Sea Rim State Park, and McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the Neches River. The city sits within easy driving distance of Houston, multiple cities in Louisiana, and numerous Gulf Coast beaches, affording Beaumont residents ample opportunities for day trips and weekend getaways.
