Nebraska
6 Towns Perfect for Retirement in Nebraska
While Nebraska may not always be the first state that comes to mind for retirement, it is a retiree’s dream with its tight-knit communities and affordable living costs.
Since it obtained statehood in the 19th century, Nebraska has been showing its true colors with a mix of rolling hills and small towns that have their own special sparkle.
You will find friendly folks, top-quality healthcare, and a local culture that pops up in all the state’s towns. Nebraska’s towns offer a retirement that is both rewarding and affordable.
So, if you are thinking about spending your golden years right in America’s heartland, read on to learn about six towns perfect for retirement in the Cornhusker State.
Kearney
With just over 33,000 residents, this fine option has the personality and charm of a small town with the amenities of a bigger city. The average home in Kearney goes for $294,000 according to Zillow, providing an affordable way to live near those amenities.
The town offers dependable healthcare options, like the CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital, which has all sorts of healthcare options for retirees to explore.
Kearney offers many fun activities such as parks, golf courses, and paths for walking. If you live here, try heading to Kearney Whitewater Park and Yanney Heritage Park, two outdoor spaces great for a nice, peaceful day outside with friends or family.
If golfing outside sounds like a perfect retirement, the town has both Kearney Country Club and Meadowlark Hills Golf Course right nearby, including other fine options.
Lastly, for some local history, the Fort Kearny State Historical Park is an informative way to learn about the original fort built to protect travelers on the Oregon Trail.
Norfolk
This town offers a pleasant, quiet place to settle down after retirement.
The typical rent here is half the national average, so retirees can get a good bang for their buck living here. As well, buying housing is a nice price option, averaging just under $240,000.
Norfolk boasts reliable health care options, like the Faith Regional Health Services. This means residents in town can get medical help close to home without the hassle of long trips.
The town is bursting with cultural life, thanks to places like the Norfolk Arts Center, where people can enjoy art displays, take part in classes, and attend events.
Also, Northeast Community College opens up chances for people of all ages to keep learning and get involved in the community with its different programs and activities.
For active retirees, there are also interesting outdoor landmarks to see. Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, right next to the Elkhorn River, is a top outdoors spot in Norfolk. It is great for enjoying the long blue Nebraska skies, and going for hikes.
Fremont
Fremont has sprawling Nebraskan outdoor landscapes all around, with parks and lakes providing a retirement playground. If that sounds like your ideal retirement, you are in luck.
First off, if you are a retiree wanting to cut down on house expenses, a typical place here costs about $239,450.
It is vital to have good healthcare as well. Fremont has healthcare options like the Methodist Fremont Health Medical Center. Also, since Omaha is so close, you can head there to find all sorts of specialists.
Fremont also has a like-minded population to socialize with because in this town, nearly 1 in 5 people are seniors.It is a fun place to be, with plenty of activities perfect for retirees, with a variety of parks and golf courses to enjoy, and it is close to places like the Platte River.
History buffs can see the Louis E. May Museum, housed in a historic mansion, which a glimpse into Fremont’s past.
North Platte
This town lies right on the spot where the North Platte and South Platte Rivers come together. If you are hunting for a spot to call home without breaking your piggy bank, this is an option to consider, as homes here go for less than $200,000 on average.
The North Platte Senior Center is a cornerstone of the retiree community. It offers a variety of programs and services tailored specifically for seniors, including Health and Wellness Programs and activities.
The town’s got a quality hospital called the Great Plains Health Hospital. It houses many kinds of care options for folks, which naturally is a vital thing to consider for people trying to find a town to retire in.
There are some interesting landmarks to see while living here. The Golden Spike Tower gives you a big panoramic view of Bailey Yard and also offers a visual guide and exhibits detailing the history of the Union Pacific Railroad,
Also, you can visit the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. It keeps Buffalo Bill Cody’s classic house and a museum that shares his story.
Hastings
Hastings has a lot of good things going for it. It has a mixed economy, and is home to a collection of interesting and iconic buildings. It is also the place where Kool-Aid started, if you feel like a sweet drink.
The town is safe and welcoming, offering many things to do and assistance for the people who live there. Home prices here are very accessible, averaging $191,097, much lower than the average price around the country.
In town, Mary Lanning Healthcare has good health services and special care for older people.
The town is also a vibrant festival town. You can enjoy music from the Hastings Symphony Orchestra, watch plays by local theater groups, or have fun at the annual Kool-Aid Days festival.
Want to head outdoors post-retirement? Crystal Lake State Recreation Area is nearby and a fine option for spending a day outside. It has all sorts of stuff to do like fishing or just relaxing with family by the water.
Scottsbluff
This town has good year-round weather, and its dry climate makes for bearable weather no matter what month of the year it is.
The town is named after the nearby Scotts Bluff National Monument, an iconic landmark with beautiful views and historical significance. Its colossal bluffs were major signposts for trailblazers who trekked across the country.
In downtown, you will be impressed with its vintage buildings. They have been spruced up and given new life while still keeping their classic vibe. The Midwest Theater, started in 1946, has been preserved and maintained, and is an iconic landmark in town.
Rent here can be found for under $1,000 a month, a good cost for retirees wanting to save. Also, a recent census shows almost a quarter of the town is 65 years old or older, so you will be right at home here in a community of fellow retirees.
Lastly, there is good healthcare, like at the Regional West Medical Center. The center is a comprehensive healthcare facility that provides all the important services you would need.
Why Nebraska is Ideal for Retirement
Nebraska is a great place to retire, with its towns full of friendly neighborhoods and affordable housing prices.
In places like Kearney, you get small town life with big city amenities, while towns like Scottsbluff have amazing views and important American heritage landmarks.
All over Nebraska, you can find quality healthcare, tons of cultural events, and fun things to do in the expansive outdoors.
So, when you are browsing your retirement options, don’t forget to give Nebraska a chance.
Nebraska
No. 24 Nebraska wins slugfest over Indiana
A windy day led to a wild slugfest at Hawks Field Saturday, but No. 24 Nebraska baseball knocked off Indiana, 12-7, clinching the conference series for the Cornhuskers while running Nebraska’s home record to 11-0.
The Huskers scored three runs in the first and two in the fourth to build a 5-0 lead. The Hoosiers answered with three in the sixth and one in the seventh to cut the NU lead to 5-4. Nebraska took control of the game with seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to grow the lead to 12-4. IU scored one in the eighth, but drew no closer.
Drew Grego was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Dylan Carey drove in five runs and hit a home run, while always drawing a pair of walks. Case Sanderson was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a pair of walks. Jeter Worthley added a 2-for-4 showing with an RBI and a walk. Carson Jasa (5-1) earned the win, throwing 5.2 innings for NU. He allowed four hits while striking out 10 and walking five. For Indiana, Owen ten Oever was 1-for-3 with three RBI. Cooper Malamazian was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
The Huskers aim for the sweep Sunday at Hawks Field against Indiana. First pitch is slated for noon with pregame coverage at 11:30 a.m. on KLIN.
Nebraska
No Kings protests return to Nebraska, draw hundreds and thousands
LINCOLN, Neb. (Nebraska Examiner) – Hundreds of Nebraskans protested against the Trump administration Saturday along Nebraska Parkway in Lincoln, and thousands protested near Northwest Radial Highway in Omaha as part of No Kings demonstrations statewide.
The third iteration of No Kings protests organized border to border gatherings to vent displeasure at President Donald Trump and his administration’s policy decisions. The Lincoln protest was held on the Helen Boosalis Trail between North 27th Street and North 56th Street.
“I don’t like what’s going on … I know it’s not the world I want to live in,” said Ford Kloepper, a 17-year-old Lincoln resident.
Kloepper said people his age are going to take the “brunt” of Trump’s “mistakes.” He pointed to the recent U.S. conflict in Iran as a motivator to protest for him, as he doesn’t want to get “drafted into a war in the Middle East for no reason at all.”
Many of the protesters, much like previous demonstrations, held anti-Trump signs with slogans like, “Trump lies” and “Stop Trump, save democracy.” Others held American flags and wore costumes. Volunteers from different groups gathered signatures for ballot initiatives and at least one candidate. One of the petitions sought to let voters decide on a state constitutional amendment requiring larger majorities to repeal or change any law passed by voters. Volunteers for nonpartisan U.S. Senate candidate Dan Osborn collected signatures to get him on the November ballot.
Organizers planned 18 protests across Nebraska. In Omaha, the rally was held at Gallagher Park, with thousands of protesters filling the sidewalks and grassy areas near the intersection of Maple Street and the Northwest Radial.
Organizers said the spot let protesters draw attention to historic Benson and all of the restaurants, galleries and coffee shops that have made the neighborhood a cultural destination since 1887. Among the crowd filled with a variety of ages and races was Lorin and Elwin Moseman, waving signs that said, “End Wars Before Wars End Us” and “No Kings No ICE.”
It was the Mosemans’ third anti-Kings rally, and despite the chill of the day, they said they wouldn’t have missed it.
“It could have been an ice storm,” said Elwin, who was motivated in particular by “the Epstein files and Trump being in them, this stupid war we’ve got involved with Iran.”
His wife, Lorin, said she came to “stand up for democracy.”
“I want to show up, stand up and speak out about our country,” she said, decrying “leadership incompetency from the very beginning.”
She said the nation needs a presidential job description and interview, and she was not short on words to describe her disgust and disappointment about current leadership: “Shameful, disgusting, exhausting.”
“We’re in a broken world,” she said.
Nearby, a bundled up woman in a wheelchair held onto a sign that said, “I’m mad about everything.”
Sara Peterson led buses carrying about 75 protesters from First United Methodist Church of Omaha. She said people felt a sense of unity and joy seeing the chanting crowd, which she said reflected her group’s makeup — diverse in age, ethnicity and political party.
“We’re not alone,” she said “It’s an exciting day to be a part of.”
Peterson called the rally a “tangible sign of people coming together … for democracy.” Her group included church members and their friends — some of whom never participated in such a protest or rally before but felt the urge and were nudged “out of their comfort zone to take back our country and democracy.
Since the return of Trump for a second term, the anti-Trump group has organized national protests. Nebraska, much like the rest of the nation, saw multiple demonstrations throughout 2025.
The group also bought ads in local newspapers ahead of the Saturday protests. Nebraska Republican Party chair Mary Jane Truemper had no immediate comment on the protests.
As Election Day gets closer, political observers have wondered how organizers might harness the political energy, whether the demonstrations might signal a coming wave of change at the polls, or whether momentum will fizzle after the crowds go home. Some have argued Democrats and progressives are good at mobilizing people for large-scale protests but have lagged conservatives in building local infrastructure to affect sweeping policy changes.
Back in Lincoln, Erik Betts, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln student, said the political winds are in Democrats’ favor, and he feels the possibilities are endless, even in a reliably red state. He said he thinks Osborn could beat Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, and he hopes the “blue” wave might be large enough to beat Nebraska 1st Congressional District Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Flood, a former speaker of the Legislature.
“We need to really show up this time …We’ve got to take this motivation … and make a difference,” Betts said.
Betts said events like these help him stay hopeful because it reminds him that he is not alone.
“When you are in your own house and just scrolling on social media, it’s easy to feel just defeated,” Betts said. “So I come out as much to show support for everyone else, to feel that maybe a bunch of people agree with [me] and things can change.”
Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Aaron Sanderford for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com.
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Copyright 2026 KOLN. All rights reserved.
Nebraska
Omaha woman fighting for medical debt relief in Nebraska
OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – For many families, beating a cancer diagnosis isn’t just about physical recovery. One Omaha cancer survivor is now using her voice to fight for medical debt relief across Nebraska.
Diana Gleisberg Meredith thought she had an upper respiratory infection in January 2024.
“In January of 2024, I felt like I had some kind of upper respiratory – maybe Pneumonia, RSV…” Meredith said.
She was sent from her primary care doctor to the emergency room to a hospital by ambulance in a five-hour span.
“The ER doctor identified that it was cancer, likely lymphoma,” Meredith said.
Diagnosis came as new mother started treatment
The diagnosis came as Meredith became a new mom. She knew she had to immediately start treatment.
“It’s life changing. You go from not having a care in the world to thinking you’re going to die and how is that going to affect my baby. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through emotionally, physically and mentally,” Meredith said.
Meredith said there’s an invisible burden that comes with the diagnosis.
“Not everybody is lucky to have the financial support or the human support to help them,” Meredith said.
Treatment costs could add up to millions
Meredith had 12 chemo treatments. Each used four medications, with one of those costing more than $130,000. For one family, this could add up to millions.
After Meredith entered remission, she began fighting for medical debt relief for other Nebraskans.
“Nebraskans all throughout the state and right here in Omaha – they’re having to make those decisions about should they save their life, or how do they care for their family,” Meredith said.
Advocacy group plans Washington trip
She works with Blood Cancer United alongside other Omaha mothers whose children are cancer survivors. They hold fundraisers like “Light the Night,” collecting thousands of dollars and supporters.
In May, they’ll travel to Washington, D.C., for training on how to push for change at the federal level.
“Our office of public policy gets together to help train these volunteers, help them get to know each other better and develop familiarity with what it means to go to a lawmakers office in Washington DC,” said Dana Bacon, senior director of government affairs for Blood Cancer United.
Meredith is fighting for lower interest rates on medical debt, no foreclosures on homes over medical debt and paused interest rates.
“It’s probably the most stressful thing that you’re going to go through, and then having to add medical debt on top of it? To be honest it’s hell,” Meredith said.
Other states are already protecting families from medical debt. Meredith said Nebraska should be next. Iowa is one of the states that limits liens and foreclosures when a family is drowning in medical debt.
Copyright 2026 WOWT. All rights reserved.
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