Two books "How Lucky You Can Be: The Story of Coach Don Meyer," by ESPN's Buster Olney, and "Playing for Coach Meyer," by Steven Smiley, bring the town of Wayne, Nebraska, to life via the written word. The books are recollections of the life and career of local Wayne resident and baseball coach, Don Meyer.
A town founded on the hopes and dreams of settlers who sought free land to build their homes after the Civil War, Wayne boasts small-town charm and sprang up as a prairie town in the spring of 1869. The town later became a regional hub when the railroad built track and a station through the town, attracting more residents and bringing economic stability to the area.
Moving to Wayne, Nebraska
Approximately 61 percent of the homes in Wayne, Nebraska are owner-occupied. About 38 percent of the homes are rentals, so finding a rental apartment might prove difficult. You may have better luck looking at house rentals within the community instead of an apartment for rent. If you don't need a large two-bedroom apartment for rent or larger, you should keep an eye out for a studio apartment for rent in a private residence. Often a homeowner will rent out a room, or an in-law suite, to make extra income. Your best bet to find such an apartment for rent is to drive around the town looking for rental signs, comb through local newspapers or talk to locals who might know about available rental property.
You will need to keep your options open when looking for a rental in Wayne. You might have to consider renting a mobile home, duplex, condominium, old farmstead or townhouse. Your search for a rental might also take you to the neighboring towns and communities where you may have more success.
To begin your rental search, you should contact local property managers. A property management company usually oversees area rentals. They will ask what you are looking for and your budget. Once they have an idea of if you are looking for three-bedroom apartments or something small, such as one-bedroom apartments, they will try to place you in one of their listings. You will usually have to fill out an application that shows references, rental history and job history. Often you must undergo both credit and background checks prior to moving in. Remember to ask what deposits you need to put down prior to moving in.
Winter months in Wayne, Nebraska can be quite cold and brutal. Unless you want to be moving and unpacking in mittens and snow shoes, you might want to find housing during the spring, summer or fall so you are all settled in before the cold and snow arrive.
Neighborhoods in Wayne, Nebraska
As small town with a population of about 5660 residents, there are no distinguished neighborhoods. When looking for a place to live, you should take into consideration the distance to your place of employment or school so you can decide on what side of town to live. There is no public transportation in Wayne, so you if you don't own a vehicle then you might want to find an apartment within walking distance of your place of employment, although having your own form of transportation is probably recommended.
Apartments in Wayne, Nebraska
Sunnyhill Villa Apartments: A small apartment complex, Sunnyhill Villa Apartments are located in the heart of downtown Wayne at 900 Sunnyview Drive. The management sometimes has a unit available, but you might have to be patient and wait before you can rent one of their apartments. If you are looking for something fun to do, head over to the local Rustic Treasures located at 207 Main Street to look for some thrift store treasures. You might find something fun to help decorate or furnish your new apartment. The small store has a large, ever changing inventory.
Emeritus at the Oaks: Emeritus at the Oaks 1500 Vintage Hill Drive in Wayne offers apartment housing for seniors. They feature 80 senior apartments. One- and two-bedroom units are available. Each apartment offers over 900 square feet of living space with full size kitchens, walk-in closets and ample dining room. At 1111 Main Street sit the Wayne State Wildcats Sports Stadium where you might want to catch a game.
Leisure Apartments: Located at 825 & 829 E. 6th, you can sometimes find an open apartment at the small complex. Leisure Apartments is managed by Park Avenue Management out of Sioux City, Iowa. If you are interested in one of their apartments, you should stop in to talk to the resident manager about picking up an application or for more information on contacting Park Avenue Management. If you feel like kicking up your heels on a Friday or Saturday night, look no further than the Max Bar and Grill located at 109 Main Street. You can listen to live music, dance, grab a cold one and enjoy some good old-fashioned American cuisine.
Meadowview Estates: Meadowview Estates is located at 1106 W. Nathan Drive in Wayne. There are only 16 apartments , so you might have to wait to get a rental unit. There are two- and three-bedroom apartments available. If you want to rub shoulders with the locals, head to the White Dog Pub Inc to have a beer and hear some town gossip. The pub is located at 102 Main Street.
Living in Wayne Nebraska
Living in Wayne, Nebraska is a laid-back lifestyle. It won't take you very long to get to know the locals on a first name basis. In the evenings, why not head down to the walking trail on the south end of town? The trail winds its way to the town's west side. A leisurely stroll along its expanse is sure to put you in contact with fellow Wayne residents.
Every year during the second Saturday of the month of July, the town holds the annual Wayne Chicken Show. Its a chicken-themed family event that features live music, dancing, games, competitions, local artwork and a town parade. Wayne townsfolk love to get together and exchange their chicken stories while educating new residents on the region's history.
On the outskirts of Wayne sits a site that is internationally famous for its archaeological significance. The Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park has public viewing areas where visitors can see up close and a personal a wide array of fossils. There are three-toed horses, sabre toothed deer, ancient camels and barrel-bodied rhinos. The animals were entombed 10 million years ago when a Pompeii like eruption occurred that shrouded the animals in layer upon layer of ash. The ash preserved their bones and their physical form. Each year, visitors from around the world come to tour the park.
After a day of hitting one of the local festivals or hiking around the area's archaeological ruins, you are sure to build up an appetite, so why not head to Miss Molly's Restaurant located at 205 Main Street You can dine on home-style favorites, enjoy a cup of coffee and get to know the locals.
Even though Wayne is a small town, you will always have ample things to do, and strong sense of community, when you call the area home.
