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Why Nebraska?: A Personal Experience
by Tom Arnett

(Editor’s note: Tom and Sheryl Arnett moved from the metropolis of Phoenix, AZ to the Village of Orleans, Nebraska, three and one half years ago. Tom says, “Our friends ask us, ‘why did you choose Nebraska?’ We often ponder the answer to that question ourselves.” One reason, Arnett says, is that Sheryl’s mother lives in Orleans, and they moved to be closer to her, but making the transition from big city to small town is a story of expectations met and unmet, and a whole series of unexpected pleasures.)

The country lifestyle required a bigger adjustment than we first thought. Even though the cost of living is less than in Phoenix, gas prices have nearly doubled since we moved to Nebraska, and we didn’t imagine how many miles we’d drive to handle to our business needs,  meet with friends, and  visit members of our church congregation.

The personal lifestyle of small towns is also a lot more obvious than in the city. The Village of Orleans lacks the laws and ordinances that Phoenix had requiring home owners to clean up their property, repair sidewalks and maintain their homes according to community standards. Only when citizens feel personal pride in their property will the appearance of Orleans reflect community pride.

Fortunately, the list of lifestyle changes that were far better than we expected is much longer than the challenges of rural living we’ve faced. Roger Welch, a Nebraska author and humorist has written a book, Forty Acres and a Fool, or How to Live in the Country and Still Keep Your Sanity.  His writing fits our circumstances and his humor enriches our understanding of village culture.

The opportunity to serve in our church is tremendous, and we feel our work here is needed and meaningful. It’s easier to have a significant impact in a small community.

We were pleasantly surprised to learn that the medical services and medical benefits for people over 65 are excellent. We do not stand in line for hours to handle our medical business, and we’re more than pleased with the doctors and medical system we’ve encountered. Making appointments and getting in to see a doctor are a matter of making a call, and often the appointment is made on the same day.

In our Village of Orleans, people always help anyone in need. A neighbor told me, “You don’t know if you have a neighbor until you ask for help.”  We feel as if the entire Village of Orleans is our neighborhood, and we enjoy helping others too. In fact, we’ve become involved with so many community activities that we wonder what we did with our time before we moved to our rural Nebraska.

The countryside continually enchants us with its beauty. We were driving west from Alma to our town of Orleans recently, just as the sun was setting, and it was as pretty a picture as you can find anywhere.

Recently, we participated in a meeting on community development.  The presenter asked us to list the assets of our community. Because few people are familiar with Orleans, we needed to be able to tell people about our assets. Our group originated The Seven Wonders of Orleans.

Number one, (and not necessarily in order of biggest, or best) is the Harlan County Museum in Orleans.  Artifacts collected in the museum document the history of the first comers in the Republican River basin as well as European immigrants who later claimed land for ranches and farms.

Number two, Harlan County Library in Orleans is among the finest small libraries in the land. It offers especially rich reading for history buffs. Visitors may browse original Civil War documents and records of early settlers to the territory, search for ancestors, stop for story time, and read original Orleans newspapers.

Number three, the Orleans Catholic Church.  One of the first structures built in Orleans, the Catholic Church architecture inspires and amazes visitors who may tour the historical site at their leisure.

Number four, Orleans Hotel. This is a great place to spend a couple of nostalgic nights or a week in an original hotel of the 1930’s era.

Number five, Orleans City Park and Pool. Enjoy a picnic in the park under towering trees and on hardy, drought-resistant buffalo grass, indigenous to Nebraska, that was planted over 100 years ago. Let the kids swim in the pool as you walk the streets of Orleans or just enjoy the peaceful park.

Number six, Flag Creek Bridge. Watch the reconstruction of one of the oldest bridges in Nebraska. Flag Creek bridge is believed to be a one-of-a-kind bridge design.

Number seven,  Walk the Republican River, enjoy the wildlife and the hundreds of varieties of birds nesting in a natural habitat. I often see lots of wild turkeys and deer.

When I think of Orleans, I can imagine any visitor staying a few days and nights can find plenty to do.

In Arizona we rave over the wonders of the Grand Canyon, but here in Nebraska every step is a natural wonder. We intend to take care of what we have here and preserve it for future generations. I especially appreciate those who went before me, and those who pioneered to make these plains and villages what they are today. In Nebraska, we don’t forget our ancestors and we do appreciate our natural resources.

If any of you readers are considering doing what we have done, if you’re thinking of moving from a city to a rural community, keep the course. Your journey will be fantastic and full of adventure. You may be challenged, but never bored. For thirty years I sold real estate to “snow birds”, many of whom were Nebraskans. Now that I have moved to Nebraska, I ask myself, “Why did I live most of my life in Arizona?” I suggest that we all return to Nebraska, and be among the converted!

Tom Arnett is retired and enjoying the good life in Orleans, Nebraska.

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