Omaha Named One of the Best Cities for Families in 2025 — Here’s Why It Deserves the Spotlight

If you're moving with kids in 2025, Omaha should absolutely be on your radar. In a recent report from Extra Space Storage’s SpaceWise blog, Omaha earned a spot on the list of Best Cities for Families—alongside big-name metros like Seattle, Plano, and Ann Arbor.

As a local real estate agent who helps families relocate to Omaha, I’m here to break down why Omaha made the list—and what life here actually looks like when you’re raising a family.

Watch the video, or read the article below.

🏠 Family-Friendly Affordability

While housing affordability is a national concern, Omaha still offers room to breathe.

You can still find a 3–4 bedroom home in a top-rated school district for under $400,000, which is nearly unheard of in many of the other cities that made the list. Whether you’re buying new construction in Gretna or looking for a tree-lined street in Millard, the Omaha metro has options.

Explore family-friendly neighborhoods in Omaha

🎖️ Veteran & Military Support

One major reason Omaha stood out is its strong support for military families.

With Offutt Air Force Base nearby and a full-service VA Medical Center, Omaha is one of the most military-accessible mid-sized metros in the country. Communities like Bellevue, Papillion, and La Vista are favorites for families connected to the base.

As a veteran myself, I can confidently say that Omaha is a welcoming and well-resourced place for both active duty and retired military members.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Omaha VA Medical Center

🎉 Things to Do with Kids in Omaha

Families in Omaha don’t just have space—they have options.

Here are some of the top family-friendly attractions that helped earn Omaha national attention:

• 🦁 Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium – Consistently ranked one of the best zoos in the U.S., it features the Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, and the new orangutan forest.

• 🔬 Kiewit Luminarium – Hands-on science meets design thinking. A great stop for curious kids and teens, plus an incredible riverfront view.

• 🧸 Omaha Children’s Museum – Perfect for younger kids on rainy days or slow weekends.

• 🌳 The RiverFront – A $400 million downtown transformation with playgrounds, walking trails, food trucks, a skate ribbon, and interactive water features.

• 🍂 Vala’s Pumpkin Patch – A seasonal must-do for families in the fall.

• 🖼️ Joslyn Art Museum – Recently reopened with a hands-on kids' art area.

🎓 Excellent Schools at Every Level

From K–12 to college, Omaha offers a variety of strong education options:

• Public schools highlighted in the report:

  • Columbian Elementary

  • Alice Buffett Middle

  • Burke High

• Top public districts for relocating families:

  • Elkhorn

  • Gretna (new high school just opened!)

  • Bennington

  • Millard

• Private schools in Omaha:

  • Brownell-Talbot

  • Skutt Catholic

  • Duchesne Academy

• Colleges and universities:

  • University of Nebraska Omaha

  • Creighton University

  • University of Nebraska Medical Center

  • Metropolitan Community College

• Niche – Omaha school rankings

🆚 How Omaha Compares to Other Cities on the List

Here’s how Omaha stacks up against some of the other cities featured in the report:

💬 What Relocating Families Say

Families who move to Omaha often tell me:

• “I’m surprised how easy it is to live here.”

• “The cost of daycare, groceries, and housing is so much better than back home.”

• “We’re not stuck in traffic all the time.”

• “There’s just enough city here—but it’s never overwhelming.”

Whether you're coming from California, Texas, or Florida, Omaha offers a low-stress, high-reward lifestyle for families.

🎯 Thinking About Moving to Omaha?

You don’t need to figure it out alone.

✅ Take the Omaha Neighborhood Quiz
📘 Download the Free Relocation Guide
📅 Book a Call with Me

I’ll help you find the right neighborhood, the right schools, and the right pace of life—so your family can move smart and live better.