The Omaha vs. Lincoln Debate: Finally Over?

By Jason Keese


Earlier this summer, our local paper resurrected the Lincoln-vs.-Omaha story angle, asking readers, “Why is Lincoln better than Omaha?” and “Why is Omaha better than Lincoln?” This was roughly the 10,000th article written on the topic. Needless to say, this version covered no new ground.

Lincoln lovers trotted out their smack-down standbys: Haymarket, the Huskers, the Children’s Museum, bike trails, KRNU, lower crime rate and a list of restaurants.

Advocates for Omaha responded with the usual: Old Market, Qwest Center, better concert venues, the indie music scene (i.e., Saddle Creek Records), Henry Doorly Zoo and Nebraska Furniture Mart.As someone who recently moved to Lincoln after living in Omaha for 10 years, I’m here to put this argument to rest – literally. It’s time to put this tired dog down.

The fact is, both cities score points with this judge, but ultimately it’s a no-win situation. Comparing Omaha and Lincoln is like debating the Beatles vs. Bach, wine vs. beer, or college football vs. the pro game – sure, they’re the same in many ways, but dig a little deeper and the comparison crumbles because of one major difference.

Lincoln is a college town, plain and simple. UNL is Lincoln’s economic and cultural engine – and Lincoln knows this. If you want to compare cities, it would make more sense to compare Lincoln to Lawrence, Kan., or Columbia, Mo., or even Ames, Iowa. Like Lincoln, these towns draw their identities from their universities. They can tell the season by the number of students walking the sidewalks. They know a “reading” isn’t only done in church. And everyone knows someone who works at the university.

Omaha, on the other hand, doesn’t really know what it is. With a population of more than 400,000, is it a “big city” on the level of Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis or Denver? Is it just one big suburb, as the city’s western border creeps toward Fremont? (Watch your back, Columbus, or you’ll be the next Elkhorn.) Or is it a college town, with the University of Nebraska at Omaha poised to overtake UNL as the state’s largest undergraduate university?

Well, it’s no Minneapolis, Denver, Kansas City or St. Louis, for that matter. In fairness to Benson, Dundee, Midtown and South O., Omaha isn’t just one big suburb, either. The city’s collection of historic neighborhoods is one of its greatest assets. And it’s certainly not a college town. In many ways, Omaha still thinks of UNO as UNL’s nice-but-not-quite-as-pretty younger sister. Omaha supports UNO, but it’s usually an afterthought to most people who live there.

No, Omaha is not a college town and there’s the apple to Lincoln’s orange in this  comparison. I understand the desire for Omaha to compare itself to Lincoln. It’s right down the road and, like I said, Omaha doesn’t really know who its peer group is anymore. Maybe Des Moines? Or Cincinnati? Indianapolis?

Regardless, it’s time to retire the Omaha vs. Lincoln debate, if there ever really was one. They both have plenty to offer, but in different ways. 

Plus, everyone knows Lincoln is better.

Comments

[Furniture Stores]

Fun read and reminds me of the Tacoma vs. Seattle debate. Bigger isn't always better, or at least in our case. Cheers!