Finding Her Way Back Home

For Kylie Scheideler, Nebraska has always been more than a place on the map, it’s been home. After nearly ten years of living in Arizona, she realized the pull to come back wasn’t fading.

“While I enjoyed being in Arizona, I always called Nebraska home,” she said. “Anytime we traveled back it was always ‘We’re going home.’”

That feeling grew stronger each year, but the final push came from her dad.

“I have to blame it on my dad,” Kylie said with a laugh. “He took my girls back every October to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and the zoo (Henry Doorly). Last year, he went to Nebraska City, looked around, and said, ‘God, this is beautiful. I want to come back.’ He told me the story and I said, ‘It’s time to go back, isn’t it?’ and he said, ‘I think so.’”

Soon after, Scheideler and her parents decided to return — together. They built homes side-by-side in Papillion, the community where Kylie grew up. For her, it was a full-circle moment; the chance to raise her daughters where her own childhood memories were made, this time with her parents next door.

Rediscovering What Makes Nebraska Special

It didn’t take long for Scheideler to be reminded of what makes Nebraska special.

“Moving back to Nebraska, I went to the grocery store on a Saturday game day,” she said. “Everyone was in red shirts, there were Husker desserts in the bakery, and I walked around with the weirdest smile on my face.”

The sense of community is what she missed most while living in Arizona.

“Arizona has mountains and hiking, but it never felt homey,” said Scheideler. “I never went out in my driveway to have a drink with my neighbors there. Here, I walk outside and someone’s waving, saying ‘Come over and watch the game.’”

Rooting Her Family in Nebraska

Now, as a single mom raising two daughters, Scheideler says Nebraska has given the foundation she hoped for.

“The support from the schools has been incredible. The neighborhood has been awesome. They’ve made us feel welcome, recognizing, yes, I grew up here, but it’s new for my kids,” she said.

More than anything, Scheideler is grateful her daughters get to experience the same Nebraska roots she did.

Her girls have quickly settled in, one already has a best friend across the street, and both have found teachers who made them feel right at home. The slower pace and safety in Papillion have given them a chance to explore, connect, and grow.

“I want my kids to grow up feeling that comfort and safety, to develop those lifelong friendships and that closeness,” she said. “And that’s what I hope my kids get from being raised in Nebraska, just that family focus and just good people, good, honest, truthful people.”

Living next door to her parents has also been a gift. In Papillion, part of the fastest growing county in Nebraska, Scheideler and her parents were able to build homes side by side. She mows their lawn, and her parents are always nearby to help with the girls.

Finding Freedom in Flexibility

Professionally, Scheideler works remotely as a senior executive in the clinical trials industry, a role that allows her to advance her career while enjoying a local lifestyle centered on family and community.

Her position allows flexibility, giving her time to travel, spend time with her girls and revisit her favorite Nebraska spots.

“As a single mom with two kids, it’s what allows me to drop them off, pick them up every day, and still travel when I need to,” she said. “The flexibility is what keeps me sane.”

Embracing The Good Life

Since the move Scheideler has been indulging in all her favorite Nebraska traditions from dining at Runza and Summer Kitchen Cafe to fall days spent at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch.

For Scheideler, the decision to come to Nebraska was more than a move – it was about coming home. The friendly wave from a neighbor, the sea of red on a Husker gameday, and the ease of raising her kids in a supportive community are daily reminders of why Nebraska feels right.

“The Good Life means Nebraska,” she said. “It means home.”

The Good Life Is Calling

Interested in learning more about living and working in Nebraska? Connect with The Good Life is Calling Team here.

You can explore what makes Papillion and the surrounding area a great place to call home here.