Originally known as "The Barracks," Plattsmouth, Nebraska started out as a trading post established by two ferrymen, an attorney, and a politician. The city was later renamed to reflect its geographical location at the mouth of the Platte River.
Established as early as 1854, Plattsmouth is one of the oldest cities in Nebraska with rich history interlinked with the discovery of the West. With the motto: "Honor the Past, Plan for the Future," the local government is constantly upgrading and updating the city, resulting in clean, well-kept neighborhoods and beautiful parks. Just 21 miles south of Omaha, it is an easy commute from Plattsmouth if you want to enjoy small town living on a big city salary. Living in Plattsmouth also puts you in a region that boasts some of the coolest music scenes, tastiest steaks, and best craft beers in America.
Moving to Plattsmouth
Plattsmouth's charm might have caught you hook line and sinker, but it is still advisable to do some thorough research about what makes the real estate market tick in this city. You don't want to end up gaping like a fish when meeting with your landlord or rental agent for the first time.
What's Available
Well, Plattsmouth offers a bit of everything. However, if you look at census data, 71% of the housing units in Plattsmouth are single-family, detached homes, so you are likely to encounter more homes than apartments during your search for places to rent. There are also a couple of apartment blocks of 10 or more units. Two and three bedroom units are about equally abundant, but you may kiss your dreams of snuggling up in a studio apartment goodbye, as there are only 46 of them in the whole city. Rather get a roommate or focus on finding a 1 bedroom apartment if you prefer peace and solitude.
How Much
Apartments in Plattsmouth are not cheap, you can expect to pay 15% more than the average for Nebraska. However, if you are from elsewhere in the country, you will find that the rent is still 21% cheaper than the national average. You only have a 20% chance of finding apartments with paid utilities, so you can count your lucky stars if you do.
Getting What You Want
Getting the apartment of your dreams does not stop at finding it online and deciding you will take it after viewing it. You still need to convince your landlord that you are a tenant of choice and a good match for his precious property. This means you need to be at your best behavior during the first meeting. Having the right documents available, such as your personal details and proof of income, will also greatly aid your case.
Plattsmouth Neighborhoods
Plattsmouth is quite a small town, so there are just two distinct neighborhoods within its limits. Both offer different lifestyles, so its good to check out which one might suit you best before making the big move.
South of Chicago Avenue: This neighborhood mainly consists of small to medium sized family homes, but there are also a couple of apartment complexes here, such as the South Park Apartments and Highland Place Apartments. With Rhylander Park in the area, a picnic opportunity is always just a couple of blocks away. Locals love to fly their kites here.
North of Chicago Avenue: This area contains the city center, where you want to be if you need to go to the banks, get a haircut or have some work done on your ride. Nature lovers will love the spaciousness of Memorial Park, where you can cycle and hike to your heart's content. Apartment-wise, there are a couple of choices, such as the Parkview Apartments overlooking Memorial Park, and Nottingham Court a bit more to the north.
Living in Plattsmouth
Around town, a bicycle and your two feet are perfect means of transport, but if you want to get anywhere outside of Plattsmouth, a car is going to be a necessity. Most people in the city have a commute of between 10 and 35 minutes to get to work. Besides its great location close to Omaha with its music festivals, the Henry Doorly Zoo, and many other attractions.
Plattsmouth itself also offers more than enough to do. After exploring the quaint shops in downtown Plattsmouth or a stroll in the park, go sample some of the local cuisine at restaurants such as The Fitz at the Fitzgerald, Plattsmouth Keno, or Golden Dragon. History buffs will be fascinated at the exhibitions of the Cass County historical Museum and on hot days the Twin Rivers Aquatic Center allows for a lot of fun in the sun. Plattsmouth also has a range of interesting festivals throughout the year that draw thousands of people to the city. The Harvest Festival, "Rolling' On The River" and "Cruisin' Main" are some examples of get-togethers where you can mingle with the locals and meet some strangers. Plattsmouth's people are very friendly. It is a place where people still greet one another in the streets.