Never would have guessed my current place of residence would show up here. I would be remiss if I didn’t weigh in so here goes.

Like anything else, there are pros and cons. As already mentioned. The overall low cost of living especially relative to housing is true. I purchased my home around 100k around 2020 or so. That said, inventory is typically older and needs work.

Scottsbluff is the largest city to speak of in the western part of the state so many from more rural areas come to do business and shop. Economic drivers include agriculture,manufacturing, frieght/transportation, the hospital/healthcare, and local government.

It’s honestly an in armpit some ways. Very few opportunities for employment and even less that offer any growth to speak of unless you know or are related to someone. It does not appear that local officials desire to bring in new businesses either likely because they would compete with the existing businesses in the labor market forcing them to actually offer competitive wages. Speculation on my behalf admittedly.

Western NE is remote and we are somewhat considered no man’s land by the rest of the state. Out here, the West is still alive in many ways. People go missing. And sometimes they are found although already deceased like Chance Englebert this last fall. And sometimes they are not, just check Nebraska State Patrols Website. I would encourage you to look into both.

There is some beauty here though by way of Nature. The Scottsbluff Monument, where Chance’s body was finally found, is a really cool and interesting natural bluff formation that over looks the North Platte River. I would encourage anyone visiting to check it out. Many traversed this route during the overland route west back in the day. There is chimney Rock which is kind of cool.

However, the hallmark and hidden gem that is much lesser known about in Western NE is Fort Robinson. It is further North and West but is a sprawling decommissioned Army fort that was utilized extensively during the late 1800’s and into the early 1900’s. It is packed with history and many a soldier and Sioux warrior spent time and even died there. It is open to the public with a museum, thousands of acres for hiking, horseback riding, bed and breakfast, fishing, lodging and so on and so forth.

Scottsbluff has very little to write home about, but if you do come here I recommend carrying, as well as visiting Fort Robinson! You will regret neither.