Mockingbird Hills West - Omaha, NE

This area of Omaha, just west of Ralston, started as farmland belonging to Dr. George Miller who bought a large tract of land in 1867. Miller started an orchard of 40,000 trees, including oak, catalpa and walnut. Then he imported deer for his estate. Miller's castle, built in 1887, burned in 1898 when heating lamps ignited felt wrapping on water pipes.

The area grew up in the early 1900s after Miller sold 270 acres to start the town of Ralston. A post office arrived in Ralston in 1909, and rural trolley service started in 1910. Today, much of Mockingbird Hills West contains residential houses and a few businesses surrounding two highways.

No museums sit in this neighborhood, and any arts scene and annual events revolve around Blumfield Elementary School. The school hosts regular Cub Scout meetings, and students perform a costume parade every October for Halloween.

Several national chains and local eateries dot the landscape all around the outskirts of Mockingbird Hills West. Several establishments sit along 108th Street just to the west, while a few more line 96th Street to the east. Standard fare at these restaurants includes American, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mexican cuisine. Enjoy plenty of nightlife options near this neighborhood, as well.

Romeo's Mexican Food and Pizza opened its fifth location on Omaha's west side along North 90th Street in 2015. Fajitas and enchiladas represent the specialty of the house. Enchiladas, burritos and soft tacos come in 8-inch wraps with beef, carnitas, chicken or pork. Cooks put cheese and chilis inside, and the entire dish has cheese on top, with beans and rice on the side. In terms of pizza, the Romeo's Special starts with a bed of sauce before cooks top it with hamburger, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and black olives. Onions and cheese finish off the pie. If you want standard American fare, Romeo's has hamburgers and hot dogs, too.

Brewburger's has a full bar menu, including hamburgers, to satiate your appetite during the big game. This cozy establishment looks unassuming on the outside, but inside the food becomes the real treat. The Blue Jay burger arrives at your table infused with portobello mushrooms, Gorgonzola cheese and crispy onion hay. The Inside Out burger has bacon and cheddar cheese stuffed inside. Every burger has 100 percent certified Angus beef and fresh toppings, such as lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Choose from several beers as you unwind and watch your favorite sports team, whether you cheer for the Cornhuskers or Blue Jays.

Varsity Sports Cafe & Roman Coin Pizza delivers food for when you feed the troops at home or have a party to cater. Choose from basic bar food, including burgers, subs and pizza. Try the Over-Under Romano pizza topped with cream cheese, pepperoni or ham, mozzarella and Romano. Happy hour happens daily from 3 to 7 p.m., so take advantage of half-price appetizers during this time on Friday afternoon. Enjoy activities at this local sports bar until the wee hours.

For nightlife, residents of Mockingbird Hills West head to Perry's Place as a local tavern and live music venue. Check out plenty of weekly events that pack the place, especially on weekends, so you can join the party. Rhythmz Bistro and Lounge features live music and great drink specials. College night happens every Thursday, and indulge in plenty of wings on Wednesday. For live blues, The 21st Saloon has live music every weekend thanks to local and national acts.

Definitely bring four-wheeled transportation to get around this neighborhood thanks to two major nearby thoroughfares. Drive on 108th Street a few blocks north to hit Highway 275, and then drive two blocks west to reach Interstate 80. If your car breaks down, Omaha has plenty of taxi companies or Uber rides to take you to your destination. Businesses have plenty of free public parking, as well.

Every house has a driveway, so residential streets can handle bicycle traffic with ease. Mockingbird Drive, the major east-west road that bifurcates Mockingbird Hills West, has a bicycle-friendly speed limit. L Street, just to the north and also known as Highway 275, also has bicycle-friendly features. Each street in this neighborhood contains sidewalks if you want to take a walk with your family during the day or night.

Buses from route 55 on Omaha Metro stop along Q Street just south of Mockingbird Hills West every weekday from 5:39 a.m. to 7:09 p.m. This route takes you to the Bergan Mercy Transit Center where you can reach other buses to take you downtown.

Plenty of parks await you near Mockingbird Hills West. Mockingbird Hill Park sits a few blocks to the east with a few nature trails for you and your leashed pooch to walk. Mockingbird Heights Park, a little further east on Lakeview Drive, features a basketball court, tennis court, picnic area, playground and an open space for recreational use. Roxbury Park, just southwest of Mockingbird Hills West at Q Street an Interstate 80, contains several softball fields and a long paved trail for walking and biking.

The Mockingbird Hills Community Center, next to Blumfield Elementary, contains an indoor pool with plenty of community events. Check out the annual haunted pool party in mid-October for kids of all ages, but be sure to bring your entrance fee. Otherwise, most parks are free for residents to use during operational hours.

Living costs a little less in Mockingbird Hills West as compared to downtown Omaha, mainly due to slightly lower housing expenses. A one-bedroom apartment averages $675 per month for rent.

A gallon of gasoline generally costs 3 percent below the national average. Cash fare on Omaha Metro buses runs $1.25 for a one-way ride and then 25 cents for a transfer to another route to reach downtown. An express route costs $1.50 going one way. A pint of beer at your favorite watering hole averages $2.50 during happy hour specials.

Although no shopping centers or malls exist in this neighborhood, Q Street, 96th Street and L Street all have businesses. Find several high-value stores in nearby areas, including downtown Ralston to the east.

Hauff Sports on 102nd Street, just north of Mockingbird Hills West, touts some of the largest selections of sporting goods items in Nebraska. Have one of the graphic artists design a uniform for soccer, basketball, softball or football. Peruse some of the top brands in shirts, shorts and sweats as you pick out a custom-print garment.

Andy's Appliance Repair fixes any appliance in your home, whether your fridge breaks down or your clothes dryer refuses to tumble. The place began providing service to Omaha in 1971 along 118th Street, so check out Andy's Appliance Repair if you need a simple belt for your vacuum or a completely new dishwasher.

Hy-Vee, on 97th Plaza, provides the closest grocery store to the neighborhood. Check out Bag'n Save for other staple items just southwest of Mockingbird Hills West on 108th Street. For locally produced fruits and vegetables, head south 5 miles to the City of Papillion Farmer's Market on the corner of 84th and Lincoln at City Park. This market runs every Wednesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. from early June to early September.