Papillion and La Vista, Nebraska Real Estate and Community Info.

Located about three miles from one another in southwest suburban Omaha, Nebraska, the cities of Papillion and La Vista have a combined population of 34,652, according to the 2010 U.S. census.

Each of these communities resides within Sarpy County, with Papillion serving as the county seat. The people of Sarpy County have preserved much of its remarkably rich history – so much so in fact, that the National Register of Historic Places officially recognizes twenty properties and districts on its prestigious list.  

Papillion has found itself in the top ten of CNNMoney’s “Best Places to Live” three times in the last four years, ranking No. 6 in 2007, No. 3 in 2009 and No. 5 in 2011.

La Vista is less than seven miles southwest of downtown Omaha. It was not officially incorporated until 1960, making it the youngest city in Nebraska.

This pretty suburban community’s name, La Vista, means “the view,” in Spanish, and it's an apt moniker: La Vista’s first 335 homes were built on the scenic banks above the Big Papio Creek Basin.  

Papillion and La Vista are attractive and desirable cities smack-dab in the middle of America’s heartland. They are strategically positioned near major Interstate highways (I-80 and I-29), as well as important local sites, like Offutt Air Force Base, Eppley Airfield and Millard Airport, and beautiful Lake Manawa State Park.

Shopping and Dining

One major advantage of living in suburban communities like Papillion and La Vista is your close proximity to a world of shopping and dining options.

Of course Omaha, a city of more than 425,000, is home to a multitude of retailers and restaurateurs. And, within 25 miles of Papillion and La Vista, you will discover enough retail and restaurant opportunities to suit even the most selective shopper and the pickiest eater.

Big national chain department and discount stores, like Dollar Tree, Walmart Supercenter and Target, blend seamlessly with local shopping malls, such as the Shadow Lake Towne Center, Brentwood Village Shopping Center and Shoppes at Market Pointe.

All of the unique, savory flavors of international spices and multicultural cuisine that you can salivate over are in or near Papillion and La Vista. Try some one-of-a-kind local gourmet offerings at Sushi Yama Inc., Fazoli’s, Lina’s Mexican Restaurant, Jimbo’s Diner, Scooter’s Coffeehouse, and a full compliment of fast food joints and sandwich shops.

Parks and Recreation

The City of Papillion oversees several parks, green open spaces, trail systems, and countless other greenways and picnic facilities. One of the most popular areas for local walkers, runners and bikers is the Halleck Nature Trail. This magnificent pathway’s course snakes its way right through the heart of Papillion, parallel to the picturesque Papio Creek.

Papillion has a variety of fully equipped parks and premier athletic fields, including Papio Fun Park. Some of the amazing facilities and complexes housed within this vast, multi-purpose park include tennis and volleyball courts, playgrounds, ten baseball fields, and the Papio Bay Aquatic Center, which has a zero-depth entry pool as well as two water slides.   

In addition to the numerous community and special events it sponsors throughout the year, the City of La Vista manages a public golf course and swimming pool. The city also provides La Vista residents with exercise facilities, social activities, and educational development opportunities for kids and adults.

Sarpy County is also home to a number of challenging golf courses, designed to meet the needs and wants of golfers regardless of their golfing prowess.

Some other active and passive recreational points of interest near Papillion and La Vista include Bellevue Berry Farm and Pumpkin Ranch, La Vista Falls Golf Course, Henry Doorly Zoo, Lauritzen Botanical Gardens, Strategic Air & Space Museum, and Wildlife Safari Park.

Living

In the 2011 listing of CNNMoney’s “Best Places to Live”, in which Papillion ranked No. 5 in the nation, it states that some of the reasons for the community’s lofty perch are that agriculture is “booming” and the area is “showing employment and housing-market strength that’s the envy of the (East and West) coasts.”

Those are some pretty incredible reasons for living in Papillion and La Vista. The current residents of these Omaha suburban communities have every reason to be proud of where they live. Even without the flattering recognition from national publications, the good folks in Sarpy County could have probably told you about the thriving local economy, with its broad base of industries including energy, health care, education, finance and retail.   

If you happen to be looking for employment in the area, you should familiarize yourself with its largest businesses. Here are a few to check out, along with the industry in which they operate:

• Black Hills Corp. – Energy
• PayPal – Banking, Finance
• Rotella’s Bakery – Food Service
• Alegent Health Midlands Hospital – Health Care
• Papillion-La Vista Public Schools – Education
• Super Target - Retail
• Sarpy County Court House and Administration - Government

Schools, Health, Transportation

The Papillion-La Vista School District administers public education for both cities and provides two high schools, a pair of junior high schools and several elementary schools. There are more than 8,000 students served by the district; parents can also choose from several private schools in the area.

Residents and visitors have a number of hospitals and medical centers in or near Papillion and La Vista, including Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center, about six miles away in Omaha, Alegent Health Midlands Hospital in Papillion, Bellevue Medical Center, about six miles away in Omaha and the Nebraska Orthopedic Hospital, also in Omaha about seven miles distant.

Papillion and La Vista are only about a 25-minute drive from Omaha's Eppley Airport. Some of the major highways in the county are Interstates 80 and 29, U.S. Highway 6, U.S. Highway 75, Nebraska Highway 31 and Nebraska Highway 370.
 

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (402) 670-8775 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.