Lincoln, with a population of 235,000, offers all the amenities of a Midwestern city while retaining a small-city feel. Lincoln offers great quality of life, with people who value honesty, hard work and helpfulness. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, Nebraskans volunteer more often and give more of their time than people in any other state but one.

The physics buildings are three blocks from the city's downtown, where you’ll often find physics faculty members and students talking about physics at local restaurants and coffee houses. In the evenings, members of the UNL community enjoy theaters, art galleries, specialty shops and restaurants offering cuisines from around the world. Touring productions of Broadway plays and popular music acts of all genres stop in Lincoln. Free jazz concerts are offered in June and the Sheldon Art Gallery on campus has one of the most extensive collections of 20th Century contemporary art.

Lincoln is an excellent place to raise a family, with a highly rated public school system that includes a science magnet high school. Lincoln has low crime rates, growing diversity and a real commitment to community. Median home prices are about $130,000. A two-bedroom apartment can be rented for $625-$800/month, depending on location. If you’re considering other graduate schools, make sure to take cost of living into account, using one of the many calculators available on the web. Nebraska has an overall cost of living that ranks below the national average in all major categories, including food, housing, utilities, transportation, and health care.

Lincoln has more parkland per capita than any other city in the United States and an intricate hiking/biking trails network, along with a wealth of other outdoor diversions. The department periodically fields teams in intramural leagues. We may not win, but we’re always competitive. Graduate students can join the campus recreation center and participate in intramural sports, weight training, running, swimming and fitness classes. For those who prefer spectator sports, The Lincoln Saltdogs play during the summers in Haymarket Park, which is just a few minutes walk from the physics buildings. The fall brings two sports for which Nebraska is most noted: football and women’s volleyball.