Greentree-Iron Ridge-Tranquility View - Omaha, NE

On July 4, 1854, the United States government signed a treaty with the Omaha Tribe, allowing the opening of Nebraska Territory and the establishment of Omaha. The town supported the farms in the area, and early entrepreneurs banded together to create services for farmers from South Dakota, Wyoming and further west.

In the 1870s, Omaha emerged as a meat packing and processing powerhouse, and due to its success, claimed the name "magic city." The town continued to grow through the 20th century, and as people become more dependent on cars in the 1980s, the Greentree-Iron Ridge-Tranquility View neighborhoods emerged.

As people moved into these suburban neighborhoods, the central part of the city fell into decline, but in the early 2000s, the city committed to revitalizing its downtown. For arts, locals enjoy the Joslyn Art Museum or they see live shows at the Omaha Community Playhouse.

Restaurants exist throughout the commercial developments in the Greentree-Iron Ridge-Tranquility View area, but an abundance of options sit near the intersection of Highway 64 and North 132nd Street. In this area, diners find mid-price to expensive bistros, sushi bars and Italian restaurants.

Salt: An 88 Restaurant serves upscale fare made with locally sourced ingredients. Dive into fresh seafood, pasta or stone-fired pizzas, or snack on Salt's appetizers such as meat balls, avocado egg rolls or calamari. To complete your meal, the knowledgeable wait staff helps you select the perfect wine from their list of 160 options from over 40 varietals.

Down the street, Hiro 88 serves amazing sushi. Sushi epicures rave about the salmon, surf clam and crab cakes in particular. Come in the evening for a long and relaxing meal with saki or order a bento box to go for lunch.

For night time entertainment, locals head to one of the sports bars or neighborhood pubs. At Billy O's, the strip mall exterior belies the pub's upscale interior. This bar boasts great service, a long list of bottled beer and regular karaoke nights.

Revelers seeking a clubbing experience must drive into the heart of Omaha. There, they can find clubs such as the House of Loom. This downtown venue hosts special events celebrating everything from Fat Tuesday to Bollywood films to marriage equality acts. Whether you crave goth, salsa or karaoke, this club has it.

In Greentree-Iron Ridge-Tranquility View, drivers enjoy access to ample numbers of free parking spots, and they can reach downtown Omaha easily via Highway 64 and Interstates 6 and 680.

Buses connect the two areas, but they run sporadically, and many routes only run once or twice per day during rush hour.

Bicyclists enjoy relative safety throughout their neighborhoods and even into downtown, and bike lanes along major roads make commuting by cycle easy. Although walking is safe in the area, it cannot claim the name walkable community.

Cabs and Uber both serve the area. Rather than hailing rides in the streets, passengers call for rides or use the Uber app to reach a driver.

For fun in their neighborhood, locals head to Keystone Park. This neighborhood park has a playground for kids as well as walking paths, basketball courts and baseball fields.

Although it does not have a playground, Ramble Ridge Park draws locals to its serene environment. Enjoy a picnic by the lake, or sweat some calories away with a jog through this park's paths.

Dogs and their owners enjoy Hefflinger Dog Park. It has fenced-in areas for off-leash play, and it has a reputation of hosting owners who actively look after their pups.

During the summer, the city sponsors a Friday night concert series at Bob Kerrey Bridge Plaza. Other free outdoor concerts take place at the Bellevue Medical Center Amphitheater, the Alegent Creighton Health Amphitheatre and other spots through the city.

Living in Greentree-Iron Ridge-Tranquility View costs a bit more than living in other parts of the metro area. While rent for Omaha's one-bedroom apartments averages at $675, landlords charge $791 on average per month for one-bedroom apartments in this neighborhood.

Taking the bus into downtown costs less than $2, and riders under the age of 5 ride for free. Bars charge between $4 and $6 for beers, and area gas stations have gas for 11 percent less than the national average.

Most of the shopping options in Greentree-Iron Ridge-Tranquility View sit along Highway 64, and the options include department stores, educational shops, nurseries and big box stores. Locals craving upscale, independent shops or boutiques need to expand their shopping radius to include downtown or other parts of the city. At Bliss Boutique, an interior full of architectural salvage wraps shoppers in beauty as they look for the perfect fashion and accessories. The shop stocks everything from skinny jeans to fur vests and hats, and it even has a sale rack for the budget-conscious crowd. To complete your look with a bag, head to Material Girl. This premier boutique sells handbags, and you get to enjoy handmade chocolates as you shop. When they get hungry, locals head to chain grocery stores such as Super Target or Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market. Super Target has a deli, bakery and most other amenities wanted by shoppers. For fresh local produce, travel to the Omaha Farmer's Market. Held in downtown, this market sells veggies in the summer, but it reopens in the winter to sell holiday crafts and other seasonal goods.