The Ultimate Guide to Student Living in Omaha: Top Colleges & Neighborhoods

Omaha is more than just a big city in Nebraska—it’s a college town. Thousands of students move to the Gateway to the West each year to attend one of the many colleges and universities. While here, you can enjoy late-night bites in the Old Market or local music in Benson. Omaha offers some of the finest dining venues in the area, including the best Reuben sandwich you’ll ever eat. Finding Omaha apartments near your college shouldn’t be too difficult. There are plenty of neighborhoods that have student living options available to you, 

Bellevue University

Located just outside the city, Bellevue University offers flexible learning schedules and career-focused programs. The school emphasizes business, healthcare, leadership, and cybersecurity. It provides a mix of online and on-campus courses, giving students more options for pursuing their degrees. If you are taking classes on campus, finding the right student apartments can help you stay on budget. 

Bellevue

The town of Bellevue, NE, sits along the banks of the Missouri River, just to the south of Omaha. This area has lots of small-town charm that should appeal to students, along with plenty of green spaces. The Old Towne district of Bellevue offers dining and entertainment. When not in class, you can also enjoy the nature reserve, Fontenelle Forest. Bellevue hosts many military families as well as students. It is close to Offutt Air Force Base.

La Vista

La Vista is a suburb of Omaha that sits to the west of Bellevue University. This area is known for its affordable apartments and even single-family rentals. It offers a quieter life than you might find in other Omaha neighborhoods but still puts you just minutes from school. La Vista is also one of the newest areas in the city, so it has modern amenities like two shopping districts. You are also close enough to downtown Omaha to enjoy big-city attractions. 

Papillon

Student apartments in Papillion will take you a little further to the west of the college, but it still offers affordable living options. Papillon has a family-friendly atmosphere and is ranked as one of the best places to live in the entire state. It has recreational opportunities like Halleck Park, where you can fish or boat. There is a vibrant local economy, as well, with the Shadow Lake Towne Center full of retail stores and dining. 

University of Nebraska Omaha

The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) is a public school in Midtown Omaha with deep connections to the community. The spacious, modern campus offers state-of-the-art facilities, student activities, and organization. UNO is an affordable option for students who want to attend a major, four-year university with hands-on learning opportunities. 

Elmwood Park

The closest neighborhood to campus is right next door—Elmwood Park. This area is for the student who wants to go home between classes. It is built around Omaha’s largest park, hence the name. You’ll enjoy the walking and biking trails, golf, and picnic areas in the park. It is an excellent choice for someone looking for a little quiet. 

Dundee

Dundee is just ten minutes from the UNO campus, close enough to drive or bike to class. Despite being so close to urban living areas, it offers small-town charm. That makes it an appealing option for Omaha apartments near the University of Nebraska. Dundee is a quiet place with plenty of coffee shops, craft breweries, and local eateries. 

Aksarben Village

If all the quiet doesn’t suit you, then look for student apartments in Aksarben Village in Omaha. This neighborhood is a hotspot for UNO students. It has a thriving social district full of restaurants, bars, and green spaces. It also hosts entertainment venues such as Rail Food Hall and Aksarben cinema. It is a vibrant choice and just five minutes from campus. 

Benson

If it’s the hipster life for you, then Benson is a sensible choice. This area of Omaha is packed with live music venues, eclectic restaurants, and vintage stores. It has a thriving art community and is all about nightlife. Just 15 minutes from both the UNO campus and Creighton University, Benson puts you within walking distance of everything you need, like grocery stores. It is also bike-friendly and linked to the Omaha transportation system if you do need to travel. 

Creighton University

Creighton University, located in the heart of Omaha, is a private Jesuit institute. It offers rigorous academics and top programs in health care, business, liberal arts, and law. The university is known for its cutting-edge research opportunities and small class sizes. Its pre-med, nursing, and pharmacy programs are among the top in the country. 

Old Market

The Old Market is Omaha's most iconic neighborhood, and it’s just a little over one mile from campus. This trendy area is full of craft breweries, coffee shops, art galleries, indie bookstores, entertainment, and even cobblestone streets. Because of its vibrant atmosphere, it tends to be a popular choice for student living. The Old Market is part of downtown Omaha, so it is a mix of old and new. 

Blackstone District

Blackstone is one of the city's newest hotspots, with a reputation for nightlife, entertainment, and many restaurants. It's just another example of how Omaha is growing into an urban mecca. For students at Creighton, it offers apartment living within walking or biking distance of campus. The apartments are a mix of historic and modern, perfect for someone who wants a little of everything. 

Dundee

The neighborhood of Dundee sits just 3.5 miles from Creighton and offers students a more residential setting. There is a mix of apartments, single-family rental houses, and townhomes in this area. Between classes, you can enjoy the quaint coffee shops and cozy cafes. 

Aksarben Village

If Blackstone District and Dundee were to have a baby, it would be Aksarben Village. This area offers the same tree-lined streets and residential areas as Dundee but with the nightlife opportunities of Blackstone. Aksarben Village is a hotspot for young people, with trendy restaurants and lots of entertainment. 

Near South

The Near South neighborhood of Omaha sits just south of downtown. This community offers a mix of houses, bungalows, and historic apartment buildings. It has a reputation as a thriving art community and a strong cultural scene. Living in student apartments in Near South gives you access to one of Omaha’s oldest green spaces–Hanscom Park. There are also many locally-owned businesses in the area, including restaurants and coffee shops. Near South is a practical option for both Creighton and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

Clarkson College

Clarkson College is a private healthcare school with a rich history. It opened its doors in 1888 and provides a blend of hands-on clinical education and academics. The college is located near downtown Omaha, not far from the Nebraska Medical Center, so its campus is close to many affordable neighborhoods. 

Blackstone District

The Blackstone District sits less than one mile from the Clarkson campus and is one of Omaha’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Life in Blankstone puts you close to downtown Omaha, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Clarkson. This area has historic charm but a thriving nightlife, as well. You’ll find lots of local coffee shops, restaurants and clubs. 

Dundee

Dundee is an excellent choice for student apartment living because it is close to many campuses, including Clarkson. The Dundee neighborhood of Omaha is about three miles from this school. It features tree-lined residential streets, quiet parks, bookstores, and cafés for the student who wants something less hipster and more suburban. 

Aksarben Village

Like Dundee, Aksarben Village offers Omaha apartments near Clarkson College and many other schools. This area is a mix of urban and suburban. You’ll enjoy the same quiet coffee shops and bookstores you find in Dundee, as well as thriving nightlife. Aksarben Village is just four miles from the school.

Metropolitan Community College of Omaha—Elkhorn Valley Campus

The Elkhorn Valley Campus is one of several Metropolitan Community Colleges(MCC) throughout Omaha. It is located on North 204th Street and is one of the primary locations. Like all Metropolitan Community Colleges, the Elkhorn campus offers career-focused learning opportunities with more affordable tuition than the major universities. Students work towards certificates or associate degrees. If they want, they can transfer their credits to a four-year school to further their education. 

Elkhorn

The Elkhorn Valley Campus of the Metropolitan Community College is in west Omaha, just outside the suburb of Elkhorn, Nebraska. Student apartments in Elkhorn would be minutes away from classes, making this a convenient choice. Elkhorn is one of Omaha’s fastest-growing bedroom towns. It offers residential living that is still within reach of the urban amenities of Omaha. It is very much a family-friendly area with some of the top-rated K-12 schools in the state. 

Bennington

Bennington is another urban option for students looking for Omaha apartments near MCC. This small town is about 15 minutes from campus but offers many affordable housing options. This includes newer, more modern student apartments. It is close enough to Elkhorn and West Omaha that you can enjoy a nice dinner or night out, too. 

Millard

Millard is a thriving neighborhood in the southwest of Omaha, about 20 minutes from the MCC campus in Elkhorn Valley. It is a blend of urban and rural, with a small-town charm and lots of shopping and dining options at Oak View Mall and Village Pointe. Millard is also known for its green spaces and parks, such as Zorinsky Lake Park and Walnut Grove Park. 

Gretna

Gretna is less than 10 miles south of the MCC campus. It hosts some of the best K-12 schools in the state and is known for its small-town charm. Gretna is also home to Nebraska Crossing Outlets, an outlet mall that is a famous shopping destination for Omaha and Lincoln residents. Gretna has a strong sense of community, which is showcased through festivals such as Gretna Day, which I attend every year. 

When picking a college, Omaha offers a mixture of urban fun and suburban charm. The diverse neighborhoods in this city work well for students of all budgets, and there is plenty to do between classes. Whether you want the energy of Benson or the quiet of Dundee, Omaha has a little something for everyone.