10 minutes around Creighton. That?s tough since I don?t know that area very well, but it?s true that the area right there and around St. Joe?s isn?t the greatest.
Here?s the layout of Omaha: growth and expansion are westward. All the rich kids come from West O. The midtown area, that once-upon-a-time was the rich west area, is now around 40th to 60th streets. Lots of converted houses here and rentals. There?s a decent area called Dundee in there, right around and just north of Dodge. You might look at renting there. North(east) Omaha is without a doubt the place to stay away from. Unfortunately, it carries with it gangs and the usual economic hardships. The ?Downtown? is the east part of O around Dodge, and several blocks south. Since Creighton is essentially located at 24th and Cuming, it?s pretty close to the downtown area.
I think part of the reason that Dundee midtown area stays on the stable side is because of the location of UNMC and University of Nebraska-Omaha. As usual, the housing areas immediately surrounding UNO and areas just north are fairly nice. However, your 10 minutes might be up by 60th and Dodge. It really depends on the time of day you?re traveling.
A friend tells me there?s a series of town homes that are literally a 5 minute walk from Creighton, but we don?t know much about the neighborhood. He doesn?t think it?s so terrible. There are a number of houses for rent around Mutual of Omaha, which I think is around 30th st. & Dodge. He also thinks the areas around Turner Blvd and Farnam St should be okay. I think here he?s referring to stuff closer to 50th street, maybe even 60th. I?m just sorry I can?t give you better information
Omaha.com is the link for Omaha?s main newspaper, so you might get a feel for listings there. The chamber of commerce will send you some info too. I hope you?re able to make a good househunting trip out that way. And don?t forget about mapquest.com
Omaha has a pretty nice grid to navigate. For the most part, numbered streets run north-south. Named streets run east-west. Dodge street is the main drag, and everything is north or south of it. So if you see 166 N. 53rd St, you?re looking at something that is 1 block north of Dodge on 53rd. 1678 S. 53rd St is 16 blocks south of Dodge on 53rd St. Make sense?
On the other hand, if something is at 9029 Dodge St., then it?s pretty much at 90th and Dodge. 6745 Cuming is at 67th and Cuming. Very simple, eh? 4th street is super far east, by the river, and 144th is where the rich kids live out west.
I wish I could help more, but I always lived and played at 42nd streets (UNMC) and higher (60th) UNO. Maybe someone from Creighton will be kind enough to respond. I haven?t really noticed any posters from either med school on this site.
Good luck, and if you have any other questions at all, I MIGHT be able to answer them. I?ll certainly try.
Kris
Oh yeah, the zoo is great, and I think they still hold the college world series in Omaha. When I was there, they blocked it from local channels, but I hear that's typical for sporting events.
