Peru, NE

Tucked into the wooded bluffs above the Missouri River, Peru is a quiet southeastern Nebraska community of around 650 people. Life here revolves closely around Peru State College, founded in 1867 as the state’s first institution of higher learning. Known as the "Campus of a Thousand Oaks," the historic hilltop campus gives the town a leafy, picturesque feel with plenty of collegiate charm. For anyone seeking a close-knit community with scenic river-valley views and an easygoing pace, Peru offers a peaceful small-town setting to settle down.