In contradiction to Sprintgeezer (although he would know better than me) I have always enjoyed my visits to Minneapolis. I really like their running path system. I have only been a few times for conferences though.
Like I said, Omaha is good if having the most square footage for your money is important to you and you want to have disposable income for boats, jet skis, Husker season tickets and the like - it would be stupid for someone for whom that stuff is important but things like trails, public space, bike lanes, cool bars and coffee shops, walkable areas, and the like are matter of indifference to move there. I live in a smaller townhouse in Colorado rather than a bigger free standing house in Omaha (although my property tax is lower) and I make less money, but I am much happier here. I would rather live simply in a cool town like Asheville, Fort Collins, Portland, Boise, Bend, Ashland, etc. than have a bigger house and more stuff in Omaha or Des Moines. But the country would suck if everybody had my preferences. The country needs Omahas and Portlands, I reckon.