Moving to Bend Oregon!
So you are thinking about making the jump and moving to Bend? Well congratulations! Bend is a sunny and beautiful city with a ton of friendly people!
Be ready to be greeted by strangers when you are out for your morning walk. It is likely that while your furry friends get acquainted that this stranger will tell you something about themselves and wish you a lovely day!
Remember that you are moving to the desert so, your water consumption, lotion and lip balm usage will probably double or triple.
We are here to bring you the things you need to know before moving to Bend!
The Outdoors:
If you only know one thing about Bend, it is that this city loves the outdoors! Located in the High Desert at the foot of multiple mountains, there are outdoor activities to do in Bend year round. If you are passionate about anything ending in “-ing” (hiking, fishing, skiing, cycling, running, biking, snowshoeing, climbing, hunting, floating) I think you will be satisfied with where you have chosen to move to! It is all right here in your backyard and everyone is jealous of it!
Winter:
Of course, if you are someone who isn’t into winter sports, Bend’s climate may be a problem. Though summers are sunny and warm (with the occasional hard frost because it is a desert) and almost always stretch well into September, the winter in Bend can really drag on. Look for close to two feet of snow per year – and gardeners, beware Bend has a super short growing season (and you will likely have some deer friends visiting your yard in the night)!
Beer:
There are plenty of handcrafted brewers have sprung up in Oregon over the last decade, but Bend has truly lead the charge with their immensely popular Deschutes Brewery, which was founded in 1988. Deschutes, which is now the fifth largest craft brewery in the world, is in good company with 24 (and growing) craft breweries in Central Oregon, you never have to go a day without a pint of the finest locally sourced IPA available!
Dogs:
Man, people in Bend love their dogs. In 2012 Bend was rated the Dog Friendliest City according to Dog Fancy, a publication that really knows dogs. The city earned the distinction thanks to its any off leash dog areas, as well as pet friendly businesses and establishments.
Economy:
Like a lot of cities under 100,000 residents, Bend doesn’t boast a ton of industry, which can make finding a job a bit difficult. If you are into the outdoors and work as a medical professional or an automotive mechanic, Bend can be the place where you can achieve the perfect work/life balance. The largest employers in town are the hospitals, Les Schwab Tire Center and the any resorts and hotels in the region, which can serve Bends sizable tourism industry.
Tourism:
Speaking of tourism, it really is a big deal in Bend! Resorts like Sunriver and Mt. Bachelor employ thousands of area residents and serve the many thousands of visitors who come to this desert paradise to escape cit life. And while welcoming temporary masses of people can get a little tense, it is worth it to get to experience events like Bend Oktoberfest and Central Oregon Beerfest.
GEESE:
There are geese everywhere in Bend and they are likely to terrorize you!
Housing:
No one can seem to agree on whether or not the housing market in Bend is in recovery or not. Due to an abundance of growth in the last decade (you are not the only one thinking about moving to Bend), the market experienced its own bubble, causing housing prices to soar. They have begun to come back down substantially, making not the perfect time to buy! Check out homes for sale: www.bendoregonrealestate.com
Food:
For a smallish place, Bend has a surprisingly great restaurant scene. Hopping on the food trends like mobile dining and local sustainable sourcing, Bend is replete with places to eat. In fact, Huffington Post noted that it was one of the top cities when it comes to restaurants per capita. There are a ton of pet friendly patios in Bend as well!
Have any questions about Bend? Leave them in the comments box and I will do my best to answer them!
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