North of downtown Omaha
In the late 19th century, a flood permanently altered the direction of the Missouri River, removing the natural border between Nebraska and Iowa on Carter Lake's south side. As a result, today this is the only city in Iowa west of the river. Carter Lake is just north of downtown Omaha and south and west of Eppley Airfield. "I don’t know if its cause I'm immune to it because I've lived here my whole life, but I don't think it's noisy and I live right across from the airport," says Kendra Hollenback, the director of the Carter Lake Community Center. "A good word for Carter Lake would be generational. You have great grandmothers and great grandchildren here." Locals enjoy a collection of waterside parks within minutes of houses. A big employer of the area is the Prairie Flower Casino.
Carter Lake homes sell quickly
While the median home sale price in Carter Lake is around $270,000, entry points can be as low as $80,000 for a just over 1,000 square foot rehab project to as high as $700,000 for a home on the lake. Properties tend to be ranch-style, modest Neo Traditionals and minimal traditionals, but Carter Lake does have one mobile home subdivision. Some neighbors have iron fences, and some roads have a little more wear and tear than others. More and more people are becoming attracted to Carter Lakes small-town community near downtown convenience. Homes tend to sell after just 10 days on the market, faster than the national average of 41.
Council Bluffs Community School District
The Council Bluffs Community School District serves students. They may begin at Carter Lake Elementary School, rated B minus by Niche. Located in the center of Carter Lake, some residents can easily walk to this school from home. Later, junior high students attend Woodrow Wilson Middle School before heading to Thomas Jefferson High School. Both of these schools maintain a C Niche rating. The high school's Promise Program opens the door to full-ride scholarships. Several faith-based private options exist nearby, including the all-male Jesuit Academy.
Lunch at Jonesys taco house
Carter Lake has a small shopping center at the intersection of Locust Street and North 13th Street with a Dollar General, Kwik Shop convenience store and local treasure Jonesys taco house. It's a favorite for fried tacos and the owners give back by sponsoring community events. "Not having a grocery store is a complaint of many," Hollenback says. Currently, locals travel to Council Bluffs for their Walmart and Hy-vee. Downtown Omaha, 3 miles south via Abbott Drive, has a vibrant restaurant and shopping scene and a large urban park with an amphitheater and playground. There is no public bus transportation but locals can get some places locally on foot or bike. The airport is always there for trips long and far.
Catching catfish at Carter Lake Park
"We have eight different parks. Maybury is the most popular one. There are shelters, pavilions, a playground, a basketball court and a dock for the boats. There's also a fishing jetty," Hollenback says. "People fish all day long. We also hold an annual fishing derby at our parks where kids get to fish for free; we provide the bait and pole." Other notable parks include Carter Lake, which has a splash pad, and Wavecrest, which has a swimming beach. "We also have a beautiful baseball facility where we host triple crown every year, the nation's largest youth baseball tournament." Some locals complain about glass and litter at the area parks. "Like any park, you have people who come and vandalize it but our grounds crew does an amazing job of cleaning up." Carter Lake Community Center on Willow Drive has a 24/7 access fitness center located in the same building at Carter Lake Public Library. Skaters also enjoy the Carter Lake Skatepark.
Carter Lake Days
"We have a huge annual event – Carter Lake Days – usually held the last weekend in July," says Hollenback. "It begins on Friday with a family night of games and the community annual kickball game. On Saturday there is a parade, festival, live music and fireworks." Locations range from the Carter Lake Ballfields to Maybury Park but the parade circles the whole city.
Photography Contributed By
Seth Johanson
Video By
Jonathan Bradley
