Lincoln is the capital of the state of Nebraska. With 268,000 people who call the city home, the city is home to a diverse economy that has several thriving sectors. In recent years, the high-tech industry has become increasingly important in Lincoln. Education has been and continues to be important to the local economy, with the University of Nebraska being the primary driver of higher education in the city. The University is the third largest employer in the city, with more than 6,000 people being employed by the school. It is a fairly typical public school for a city of this size, with in the neighborhood of 25,000 students enrolled in a typical year.
When to Search
Lincoln has a significant sized university when compared to its population. This plays a part in when you should decide to look for an apartment. May, June and July are the best months to hunt for an apartment, especially if you plan on living anywhere near to the University of Nebraska.
Staying in the Know
When you're searching for a new home in Lincoln, you should take the time to get to the city to meet prospective landlords in person. Although many people are used to hunting for apartments online, there is no substitute for an in-person meeting. This allows your future landlord to get a real sense of you as a person, and decide if you're the right fit for the apartment they are trying to rent out.
Life in Lincoln
Transportation
In downtown Lincoln, you can walk almost anywhere you need to get to within a matter of minutes. Lincoln has a public transportation system that is useful if you need to commute from the outskirts of the city into the downtown core. However, as is typical of smaller cities, the schedule is limited. A car provides you with freedom that you can't get by using only public transit in Lincoln.
Where to play
The state Capitol building is open throughout the year to the public, and is a beautiful Art Deco building. The Nebraska Repertory Theatre offers professional theatre, and the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery is the home to classical music and beautiful art. Head to O Street for a great selection of bars featuring local beer and live music. Duffy's is a great choice for a first night out.
Attractions
Visiting the Nebraska State Capitol is often a surprise for many people. It has often been called the most beautiful state building in the country, and the art on the interior of the building is truly stunning. If racing or cars are of any interest to you, you might be fascinated by the Museum of American Speed. If you have kids or younger siblings, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the Lincoln Children’s Museum, as it is considered one of the best in the country. The University of Nebraska State Museum is another key attraction in the city, and people come from throughout the state to take in it's collection.
Dining
Lincoln has a number of great restaurants that serve food based on middle-eastern and Indian flavours. The Oven is a particularly delicious example, specializing in Indian and Pakistani cuisine. If you're looking for a romantic place to sneak away for a night off with someone special, the Green Gateau should be on your list of potential destinations. Tapas style dining has also come to Lincoln, and Sebastian’s Table offers one of the best tapas experiences in the city. Lincoln also is now home to a number of gourmet burger joints, but none of them stand out quite as much as Honest Abe’s Burgers and Freedom. They change the menu frequently as they work to come up with new ways to create an even better burger.
Bars
Live blues and jazz music happens almost nightly at Zoo Bar in Lincoln. Zoo Bar is a local legend, and has been bringing great music to town since 1973. Many of the regulars have been coming for decades, and the bar has a great vibe that you can't find in less established places. The Starlite Lounge is a cool place to go if you like a good martini and enjoy hanging out in a very vintage atmosphere. Every town needs a good Irish pub or two, and one of the best you'll find in Lincoln is known as Mckinney’s Irish Pub on North 8th Street.
Culture
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is home to the Center for Great Plains Studies. This is the governing body behind the Great Plains Art Museum, which presents rotating exhibitions celebrating the art from this part of the world. There is also a permanent collection of Native American arts. The Lincoln Community Playhouse has been presenting community theatre for more than 70 years, and is one of the many grassroots ways in which locals can get involved in the arts. There are a number of small galleries throughout the downtown area, and the much larger Sheldon Museum of Art on the University Campus. The Sheldon has a collection of over 12,000 pieces.
Events
Many of the events in Lincoln are tied to the president that the town takes it's name from. The Abraham Lincoln Birthday Celebration that takes place each February is a perfect example. Just outside of Lincoln, you can find the Nebraska Folk and Roots Festival, a music festival that helps to highlight some of the best upcoming local talent in those genres. The Lancaster County Fair is one of the most looked-forward to events in August, as it provides the perfect opportunity for friends and family to get together and enjoy the best of summer in Nebraska.
Shopping
There are a couple of malls in Lincoln to choose from if you prefer to do your shopping in indoor environs. The Gateway Mall is a smaller mall with a Sears anchor store. SouthPointe Pavilions is another option. It has a good mix of dining options along with all the stores. However, most would agree that the best shopping in Lincoln is found in the historic Haymarket district. This is a wonderful shopping hub that features a farmer’s market at select times, dozens of dining options and the widest selection of independently owned and operated stores in any concentrated area in town.
Sports
The University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, usually just called the Huskers, are the locally supported NCAA franchise. As participants in the fiercely competitive Big Ten, the Huskers have been at the heart of some of the best games in NCAA history in a wide range of sports. Husker football is a tradition that goes back more than a hundred years, and almost everyone in Lincoln has at some point taken in a game at Memorial Stadium. Several Huskers have gone on to prominent NFL careers, including dominant defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
Outdoors
There are several great outdoor recreation opportunities available right in Lincoln, but the very best lie just outside the city. The Pawnee State Recreation Area, for example, is located very close to the city. There are 740 acres of water, and fishing and boating on the lake is certainly one of the favourite outdoor activities of the people of Lincoln. Visiting the Sunken Gardens is certainly a great idea if you want to spend some time outdoors right in Lincoln. This beautifully landscaped garden has been here for more than 80 years, and is frequently listed on lists compiling the best gardens in the country.