The old American West was a strange place, where gunfighters and cowboys became famous icons of a nation going through transition. One such famous gunfighter, Luke Short, lived a wild life as a gunfighter, farmer, cowboy, army scout, whiskey peddler, gambler, and saloon keeper, all before he died at the age of 39. Oh, and this all happened in Sidney during the latter half of the 19th century.
The city of Sidney is the county seat of Cheyenne County in Nebraska and, as of the census of 2010, has a population of 6,757 living in a little under 3,000 homes. The city was founded back in 1867 and grew around the military base of Fort Sidney, otherwise known as the Sidney barracks. The city is pretty well isolated, and is only a few short miles from the northern border of Colorado. Nearby cities and other major settlements are rare, with Cheyenne being over 80 miles to the west, and Denver over 100 miles to the southwest. However, travel is easy in and out for those with a car, with Interstate 80 running just south of the city, and State Route 385 heading north out of it.
Moving to Sidney
Being in such an isolated location, it's highly likely anyone moving to Sidney will be working in the city itself or the farmland surrounding it. Commuting isn't realistic for most, unless to a small nearby town, as any major settlements are too far to go. Consequently, it's important that you find work before you consider moving. The alternative -- moving only to find that there's no work available -- doesn't bare thinking about. In addition, being in a state of employment will generally be essential in securing a property anyway.
The Property Market
So, what type of property are you likely to find in Sidney? Well, most is made up of single family detached housing, commonly with between 2 and 4 bedrooms. If you want to rent an apartment, however, pickings will be slightly slimmer, although not drastically so. High rises and small apartment buildings account for about 20 percent of the market, so there is scope to find 1 bedroom apartments for rent, or even a studio apartment for rent if that's what you're looking for. Bear in mind, however, that the latter are rare, so if you're moving on your own a one bed might be a better choice.
Housing Availability
OK, so what about availability? Well, the first thing to note is that about 35 percent of houses and apartments are renter occupied, which isn't too bad for rental seekers. Add to this the fact that the vacancy rate is about average for the nation, and you can expect an easy enough time finding somewhere to live that fits your requirements. The city isn't big on commuters, and with no large towns and cities nearby you shouldn't have too much trouble securing a new place to live fairly quickly.
Finding a New Place
Right, so how about finding somewhere and making sure you get it? This is easy enough for most, and it's important to get things prepared nice and early. So, get your credit reports, employment records, security deposit, and so on, all sorted before you even start searching. Once you've found somewhere you like, having everything prepared will make it a lot easier to run through the paperwork and secure your new home before some other fella swoops in under your nose and snatches it!
Neighborhoods in Sidney
Before you even consider moving to Sidney, you'll want to check out the potential neighborhoods that could become your new home, right? It's important to know the little details -- like how close to the Interstate you are if you need to commute. So, take a look around before you settle. Here are a few notes to help you out:
City Center: It's called City Center, but this neighborhood actually comprises the eastern half of the city and its immediate surrounding landscape. Here, you'll find restaurants like Jimmy's and Silver Dollar Bar and parks like Legion Park, just in case you need to run off those drinks you had at Silver Dollar.
Illinois Street / 15th Avenue: This is essentially the same as above but the western half of the city, with more schools, restaurants, parks, and so on. The main draw, however, just south of town is Hillside Golf Course. Well, it's a draw if you love golf anyway. You love golf, right?
Potter / Lodgepole: This is basically a huge area surrounding the inner neighborhoods of the city, reaching several miles out into the countryside. As expected, therefore, you'll find farms and large houses out here. Interstate 80 is also just on its southern border, in case you find yourself needing to get out of town at any point.
Living in Sidney
Being in Nebraska and close to the Colorado border, you'd expect life in Sidney to be fairly outdoorsy, and you wouldn't be wrong. There's plenty to enjoy for outdoor enthusiasts, with biking and hiking trails like the Deadwood Trail, plenty of parks and memorial gardens, and a trap shooting park for those who like to practice their marksmanship.
History Abounds
If you're interested in history, the Fort Sidney Complex might well be something that tickles your fancy. Here you'll find the Cheyenne County Museum in the Married Officer Quarters, the Powder House, and the Post Commander's Home, which has been fully restored and refurbished to make sure that it shows off its original, authentic decor from the 1800s.
Dining Around Town
In the center of town you'll find a few restaurants and bars, while the main retail draw is the Cabela's World's Foremost Outfitter's original retail store, where you'll find great merchandise, including animal displays and trophies.
Getting Around
Finally, travel in the city generally requires a car if you're going further than the center as there is no public transit system. The walk score is 62, making it somewhat walkable, but in general if you want to get out of town or explore the countryside around it, you're going to need a vehicle of some kind.
