Living in Nebraska is a privilege that we try hard to never take for granted. Living here affords us plenty of benefits that the rest of the country just doesn’t get to enjoy. How many do you recognize?
1. We get to experience all four seasons.
Sometimes a season is only a couple of days long, and we all too often experience all four seasons in the span of a week, but they're all there.
2. We have more miles of river than any other state.
There's always a river nearby to enjoy, whether your goal is fishing, boating, tubing, or just sitting on the banks and enjoying the water.
3. Our storms are beyond beautiful.
Summer thunderstorms in Nebraska are legendary for good reason. They bring bright lightning, booming thunder, torrential rain, and fascinating cloud formations. It's nature at her finest and we love having a front-row seat.
4. Nebraska's sunrises and sunsets are some of the best in the nation.
Some people like to say that pollution causes the prettiest sunrises and sunsets, but it's actually the fresh, clean air that creates spectacular sights like this one.
5. There are endless wide-open spaces here.
You can definitely live in a crowded urban area in Nebraska if that's your thing. But there are always plenty of places to go when you want to get a little peace and solitude.
6. We get to enjoy the magnificent Sandhills.
The Sandhills region of Nebraska is both the largest area of plant-stabilized sand dunes in the western hemisphere and the largest wetland ecosystem in the US. This is a unique area of exceptional beauty and environmental importance, and we Nebraskans can visit anytime we like.
7. We raise the best beef in the country.
Remember the Sandhills from #6? Well, they're not great for farming, but they make for perfect ranch land. Nebraskans have been raising beef cattle here since the state's early days, and it's become kind of our trademark.
8. Our museums are unbeatable.
We really do love our museums here in Nebraska. There's at least one in just about every town, and the subjects they cover run from ancient art to clown dolls to pioneer history and beyond.
9. We've got the best college town in the country.
UNL brings in students from around the world, making for a diverse and vibrant culture in Lincoln. The city is a unique mix of conservative and progressive that isn't easy to find anywhere else in the country.
10. We have access to the world's largest rail yard.
Why is this a privilege? Well, if you've ever visited Bailey Yard and the Golden Spike Tower in North Platte, you'll understand how awe-inspiring this place is. It's full of railroad history, and it's just plain cool to watch the trains and cars shuffling around the yard.
11. Nebraska is the home of Runza.
The idea of the Runza-type sandwich didn't originate here in Nebraska, but we'd like to think that our iconic fast food restaurant chain perfected it. Plus, have you ever had frings? It's an ingenious combination of fries and onion rings in the same container, and we have to wonder why every fast food place doesn't do it.
12. We get a front-row seat to one of the most incredible natural spectacles anywhere.
Every spring, our state hosts the world's largest gathering of majestic sandhill cranes. More than half a million of these birds fly through here in the midst of their migration, and you can gather in the Kearney vicinity to see them.
13. We feed the country.
We're pretty proud to know that the food produced here goes to feed people all across the US. We're right in the middle of the country and our farmland is rich and fertile, making Nebraska the ideal spot for food production.
14. We're the only state in the country with a nonpartisan unicameral legislative system.
Maybe it's a little iffy to call this a "privilege," but it is certainly unique and its history is pretty fascinating. Democracy!
15. Our communities are full of friendly, active, engaged people.
You won't find people more enthusiastic about their communities than Nebraskans. We love to get involved and make our neighborhoods and towns even better places to live and raise families.
We’d say that all of that adds up to The Good Life, indeed. What are some other benefits to living in the Cornhusker State that people in other states don’t get? Add to the list by leaving a comment.
Even if you move away from Nebraska at some point, it will always stick with you. Check out 10 ways our state stays in your heart , no matter how far you may roam.
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