Our crews move families all over the Omaha metro, so we get asked “where should we live?” a lot. There’s no single right answer, but there is a right answer for your family. Here’s a straight look at five popular Omaha suburbs and family-friendly areas: what each one is like, which school district serves it and who it tends to suit.
Omaha Suburbs at a Glance
| Area | County | Population (2020 Census) | Main school district | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Papillion | Sarpy | 24,159 | Papillion La Vista Community Schools | Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area |
| Bellevue | Sarpy | 64,176 | Bellevue Public Schools | Fontenelle Forest, Offutt Air Force Base |
| La Vista | Sarpy | 16,746 | Papillion La Vista Community Schools | City Centre and Central Park |
| Elkhorn | Douglas (part of Omaha) | Counted with Omaha | Elkhorn Public Schools | Olde Towne Elkhorn |
| Gretna | Sarpy | 5,083 | Gretna Public Schools | Nebraska Crossing, Schramm Park |
Population figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census.
One important note before you fall in love with a house: school district lines don’t always match city limits or mailing addresses. Always check the exact address with the school district before you sign a lease or make an offer.
Papillion
Papillion is an established Sarpy County city just south of Omaha, with a busy community calendar and plenty of parks.
Schools: Papillion La Vista Community Schools serves Papillion and La Vista. The district runs 19 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools: Papillion-La Vista High School and Papillion-La Vista South High School.
Parks and things to do: According to Visit Nebraska, Papillion is home to the 450-acre Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area (hiking, biking and camping), the SumTur Amphitheater for outdoor concerts and shows, and the Papio Bay Aquatic Center with waterslides and a zero-depth pool.
Who it suits: Families who want an established suburb with a lot going on outdoors and an easy drive into Omaha.
Bellevue
Bellevue sits on the Missouri River just south of Omaha. It’s the state’s oldest continuous settlement, dating to a fur-trading post in 1822, according to Britannica. It’s also home to Offutt Air Force Base and the headquarters of U.S. Strategic Command, plus Bellevue University.
Schools: Bellevue Public Schools has 15 elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools, Bellevue East and Bellevue West, plus an alternative school and a career and technical education center.
Parks and things to do: Fontenelle Forest covers more than 1,500 acres of forest, prairie and wetlands, with 17 miles of trails and a one-mile accessible boardwalk with views of the Missouri River. There’s also a nature center, a children’s play area and a raptor refuge.
Who it suits: Military families stationed at Offutt (see our Offutt PCS moving guide), anyone who wants trails and woods close to home, and people who want a bigger suburb with a long history of its own.
La Vista
La Vista sits just north of Papillion and shares a school district with it. Its 84th Street corridor is home to City Centre, Central Park and The Astro.
Schools: Papillion La Vista Community Schools.
Parks and things to do: The city’s Central Park was created from the old La Vista Falls golf course. It’s the largest open-area park in La Vista, with a pond and boardwalk, a walking loop and plenty of seating. It connects City Centre with The Astro, a music venue with an outdoor amphitheater. The city also runs free family events through the year.
Who it suits: Families and young professionals who want a smaller city with a central location and a walkable gathering spot.
Elkhorn
Here’s the part that confuses newcomers: Elkhorn isn’t a separate suburb anymore. It’s part of the City of Omaha. Omaha started annexing Elkhorn in 2005, and after a court fight, the Nebraska Supreme Court sided with Omaha in 2007. Today Elkhorn is a neighborhood on Omaha’s western edge, with Omaha city services. (It even follows Omaha’s pet licensing rules.)
It still has its own identity, though. Elkhorn started in the 1860s as a stop on the Union Pacific Railroad, and its four-block historic downtown was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2025. Olde Towne Elkhorn has more than 50 shops, restaurants and businesses.
Schools: Elkhorn Public Schools is its own district, separate from Omaha Public Schools. It has 14 elementary schools, five middle schools and three high schools: Elkhorn, Elkhorn North and Elkhorn South.
Who it suits: Families who want west Omaha living with a small-town downtown and their own school district.
Gretna
Gretna is about 10 miles southwest of Omaha, right off I-80, and roughly 40 miles from Lincoln. The City of Gretna calls itself one of the fastest-growing cities in Nebraska since 2000, and it still has a small-town feel.
Schools: Gretna Public Schools has two high schools, Gretna High School and Gretna East High School.
Parks and things to do: Schramm Park State Recreation Area has wooded trails (including a suspension bridge), a playground and the Schramm Education Center, whose aquariums show off Nebraska’s streams, rivers and ponds. Shoppers know Gretna for Nebraska Crossing, an outlet center at I-80 Exit 432 with about 75 brands.
Who it suits: Families who want room to spread out, a small-town atmosphere, and Omaha and Lincoln both within reach.
How to Choose an Omaha Suburb for Your Family
All five areas have parks, schools and solid neighborhoods. The right pick comes down to your family’s day-to-day. Here’s what to check:
- The school district for the exact address. Use each district’s boundary or school locator, not the city name on the listing.
- Your real commute. Drive it at rush hour before you commit. A 15-minute drive on a Sunday can feel very different at 7:45 on a Tuesday.
- Parks and activities nearby. Look for the playgrounds, pools, libraries and sports fields you’ll actually use.
- Home age and yard size. Older neighborhoods often have mature trees and established streets. Newer areas may have bigger floor plans and HOAs. Read the covenants before you buy.
- Pet rules. Pet licensing deadlines and animal limits vary by city. For example, the Nebraska Humane Society lists 10 days for new residents to license pets in Papillion and Gretna, and 30 days in Omaha, Bellevue and La Vista. Our moving with pets guide has the details.
- Visit twice. Once on a weekday evening and once on a Saturday. You’ll learn a lot about traffic, noise and how busy the parks get.
What About Living in Omaha Itself?
If the suburbs aren’t quite it, Omaha has plenty of family-friendly neighborhoods too, and they’re served by several school districts, including Omaha Public Schools, Millard Public Schools and Westside Community Schools. Our guide to moving to Omaha covers the city’s main areas, utilities and the Nebraska DMV deadlines for new residents.
Moving Between Omaha Suburbs
Most suburb-to-suburb moves are local moves, billed by the hour. Easy As Pie Moving Co. serves the whole metro, including Papillion, Bellevue, La Vista, Elkhorn, Gretna and Bennington, plus Council Bluffs and Lincoln. You can see every area on our locations page.
Whether you’re moving from Elkhorn to Bellevue or just across Papillion, our local movers build the day around what you need, from full packing to just the heavy stuff.
Omaha Suburbs FAQs
What are the best Omaha suburbs for families?
It depends on what your family needs. Papillion, Bellevue, La Vista, Elkhorn and Gretna all have parks, family-friendly neighborhoods and suburban school districts. Compare school districts by address, commute times and the amenities you’ll use most.
Is Elkhorn its own city?
No. Elkhorn is part of the City of Omaha. Omaha’s annexation was upheld by the Nebraska Supreme Court in 2007. Much of the area is served by Elkhorn Public Schools, a separate district from Omaha Public Schools.
Which school district covers Papillion and La Vista?
Papillion La Vista Community Schools serves both cities. Always confirm the exact address with the district, since boundaries don’t always follow city limits.
Which Omaha suburb is closest to Offutt Air Force Base?
Offutt is in Bellevue, so Bellevue is the closest. Papillion is also a short drive away.
Do Omaha movers serve the suburbs?
Many do. Easy As Pie serves the entire Omaha metro, including all five areas in this guide, plus Council Bluffs and Lincoln.
Found Your Spot? Let’s Get You Moved
Easy As Pie Moving Co. moves families all over the Omaha metro. Your moving agreement arrives when you book, with every rate spelled out and no stair fees, and our crews call when they’re on the way.
Request your free estimate or call (402) 200-4661.
