Common Questions I Get About Omaha
By: Ryan Renner, Realtor
I have helped many families move to Omaha. Contact me if you have any questions about the Omaha area or need help buying a home.
Here are just a few of the common questions I get about living in Omaha.
Shopping
No, Omaha doesn’t have its own IKEA. Omaha Modern will make the round trip and deliver IKEA furniture to you, or you can order directly from IKEA.com for delivery to your door.
Entertainment
Yes. WarHorse Casino Omaha opened in 2024 as the city’s first state-approved casino, with 800 slots and 19 table games. Council Bluffs, Iowa, just across the river, also has Harrah’s and Ameristar, both full casino resorts with hotels and dining.
Yes — the Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, part of the Henry Doorly Zoo. Highlights include a 70-foot shark tunnel and Antarctic penguins. Admission is included with zoo tickets ($26 adults, $19 kids 3-12), open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sports
Does Omaha have a hockey team?
Yes, two teams: the Omaha Lancers (USHL junior league, playing at Ralston Arena) and the University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (NCAA Division I, playing at Baxter Arena). The Mavericks made the Frozen Four in 2015 and the NCAA playoffs in 2021.
Yes, located near I-680 and Dodge Street. It’s open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weeknights (midnight on weekends), with bay pricing from $25-$45 per hour depending on time of day, and half-price rates on Tuesdays.
Taxes
Why are property taxes so high?
There’s no single reason — good schools, a smaller population relative to the state’s size, and a lack of natural resources to offset the tax base all play a part. Douglas County’s average rate is about 2.31%, Sarpy County’s about 2.28%; Nebraska ranks 44th nationally (higher is worse).
Getting Around
Yes, both are widely available, plus zTrip for standard taxi service and electric scooter sharing. At Eppley Airfield, the designated pickup area is on the ground floor of the South Garage, accessible via the North Skywalk or the crosswalk near Door 4.
Does Omaha have red-light cameras?
No, Nebraska doesn’t allow red-light cameras — but Iowa does. Council Bluffs, just across the river, has cameras at 8 intersections, so watch your speed if you cross the state line.
Airport
Yes, and Omaha’s airport (Eppley Airfield) has short security lines even without it compared to larger airports. One catch: Omaha doesn’t currently have CLEAR, so PreCheck is your fastest option here.
Marijuana
Recreational marijuana is illegal in Nebraska. Voters approved medical marijuana in November 2024, but implementation has stalled amid disputes between the governor and state legislature, so medical marijuana isn’t accessible yet either. Possession penalties scale with the amount involved and any prior offenses.
Misc.
Pronunciation Guide – Learn how to pronounce Papillion and other common words you will encounter in Omaha.
Talk Like a Local – Words and phrases unique to Omaha.
Interested in recent developments around Omaha, check out my news page where I curate a list of stories of interest to people looking to move here.