20 Signs You Grew up In Omaha
Omaha, The Big O, Homaha. Birthplace of Gabrielle Union and home to the world’s best zoo (even though most people could not even point Nebraska out on a map.) Most people would assume Omaha is all cornfields and hillbillies, but we are here to prove the assumptions wrong. We are the Heartland. This is our home and we would not trade it for the world. Below are 20 Signs You Grew Up In Omaha, Nebraska.
1. You go out of your way to go to the College World Series, but never really watch the game.
Home to the College World Series since 1950, Omaha prides itself on hosting each and every team and making them feel welcome. Even if your team isn’t playing, which most likely they are not, you free your schedule for a game day filled with festivities downtown. Who even needs to watch the game?
2. You know Omaha is the Midwest’s spot for new and coming music.
From small local bands to Chance the Rapper, Omaha’s music scene is no joke. Most concerts around the city don’t break the bank either making them a great choice for a night out with friends!
3. Everyone you know becomes a model during Omaha Fashion Week.
Don’t get me wrong, Omaha Fashion Week is an important showcase of our community’s talent, but at least you or someone you know has participated in it either as a model, designer, or spectator. If not directly involved, then the flooded Instagram posts would suffice. And we ALL know the one girl who thinks she is walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (me too girlfriend, me too).
4. You would DIE for Husker Football, but come basketball season the Creighton Bluejays are your #1.
Husker Football is a religion, you bleed Scarlet and Cream. Do not second guess Husker loyalty, but you can not help but fall in love with the Creighton Bluejays basketball team because c’mon it’s Omaha!
5. Ted and Wally’s, Zesto, eCreamery, Dairy Chef…
If you do not know and love at least ONE of these places, you are not from Omaha, period.
6. Every zoo you go to will NEVER meet your standards.
When you have the world’s best zoo in your backyard, can you really blame us? Do YOU have a Desert Dome? Didn’t think so.
7. Is it really October if you don’t make a trip to Vala’s?
Caramel apples, pumpkins, and who could forget that heavenly kettle corn? Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is the place to go for families or any teenage girl who needs instagram to know she’s basic. For most of us Omaha babies, the pumpkin patch is packed full of memories.
8. Everyone is an aspiring photographer. EVERYONE.
And the worst part about it? THEY ARE ALL REALLY GOOD AT IT.
10. You’re used to having major roads always under some sort of construction.
We all know there are two seasons in Omaha: Winter and Construction season. Living here, you get used to seeing road construction signs, but no matter what, the roads never seem to get better anyway. It’s a never ending cycle of construction and traffic making you late to your next meeting.
11. High School rivalries are bloodbaths.
Creighton Prep vs. Westside, Millard North vs. Millard West, Elkhorn South vs. Skutt Catholic (just to name a few.) Whenever these schools go head to head, it’s a week event of savagery and a battle to the death. If you attended one of these schools, you know the hatred will never die. If you have never experienced a high school rivalry, we feel sorry for you. Regardless how much hate is spread around, it is always what brings a school closest together with their peers.
12. Your first job was most likely at a grocery store.
What better first job than stocking shelves at Baker’s or HyVee? A grocery store is a great start, but you definitely don’t want to be there longer than a few months. It’s a trap, get out while you can.
13. Everyone seems to know everyone somehow.
“Where did you go to school?” “Millard North High School” “Oh do you know *enter any name and the person probably does know them*” Omaha is the definition of Six Degrees of Separation.
14. Who needs an ocean when you have lake days?
Seriously, we all know lakes are 10x better than the ocean. Maybe we are biased because it’s all we’ve got, but lake days are never taken advantage of.
15. Cinnamon rolls and Chili are the perfect combo.
Whether you dip the cinnamon roll in the chili, eat one first and then the other or eat them simultaneously, it’s a disgrace for them to be separated! If you grew up in Omaha, you know that people are truly missing out on this heavenly combination. Don’t knock it till you try it!
16. You can get anywhere in about “20 minutes”.
Of course it isn’t actually 20 minutes, but with a little speed and determination, you can trim a 30 minute trip down to about 20.
17. With that being said, you also measure distance in the time it takes to get there.
Because who needs to use miles? ex. “Lincoln? That’s about 45 minutes away!”
18. You’re either from North Omaha, South Omaha, or West Omaha.
Segregated Omaha with the stereotypes to back each section. East Omaha isn’t a thing though, so don’t ask us why it isn’t included.
19. Our Snow Day system is VERY backwards.
Your superintendent called off school and it doesn’t snow, but the next week you could be trudging to school in a blizzard. It’s like they don’t even watch the weather channel.
20. Your pride for Omaha is unbeatable.
Whether it be on the TV, radio, or in a movie, whenever Omaha is mentioned you get overcome with excitement and pride. The support we have for our community is indescribable, but you know exactly what I’m talking about if you live here. This is our home and we wouldn’t trade it for the world.
