Living in Bend

Eight Reasons Why Everyone Wants to Live in Bend

1. ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION

   Whether you are interested in water sports, climbing, mountain biking or hiking, Bend has it all. Just want to explore? Check out the varied landscapes by hiking the Newberry Lava Caves, taking in the high desert mountains at Smith Rock State Park, or enjoying your favorite winter sport at Mt. Bachelor.

2. BEND HAS GREAT WEATHER

   The summers are warm during the day and cool at night and the winters have a crisp high desert spark to them. Puffy jackets and sunglasses are must-haves year round. Three hundred days of sunshine is almost unheard of but not for Bend! Most of our wet days come in the form of snow in winter.

3. LIGHT TRAFFIC

   According to recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, the average Bend resident’s commute is still around 15 minutes. Thanks to roundabouts and seemingly endless road projects, even though the population in Bend is increasing, Bend traffic is still better than most other large towns.

4. LAID BACK SMALL TOWN ENVIRONMENT WITH FRIENDLY PEOPLE

   People living in Bend understand the balance in working hard and playing hard. It is not uncommon for people to bring their dogs to work and have powder days when Mt. Bachelor has had some good snow. There is a strong sense of community and residents of Bend are known to be extremely friendly and welcoming. Learn more about the Bend Pledge.

5. WE LOVE CRAFT BEER

   People living in Bend take their beer very seriously. With dozens of breweries, it’s no surprise that Bend has been named “Beer Town USA”. With all the wonderful choices, you are sure to find a brewery that fits your taste. If you need a little help selecting one, check out my faves here.

6. PARKS & OUTDOOR SPACES

   Bend has more than 80 local parks throughout the city, which make up 2,600 acres of outdoor space. From dog parks to playgrounds and everything in between, there is a park for everyone and in every part of town.

7. BEND IS A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY

   From the great school system, multitudes of cultural events and resources, outdoor activities, and low crime rates, Bend is a wonderful place to start and raise a family! Check out my blog post on having a baby in Bend.
   

8. TRAVEL WITH EASE

   If you’re looking to travel, the Redmond airport is just 15 minutes from Bend and offers direct flights to several cities on the West coast and Midwest. With short security lines, friendly staff and a full-service restaurant you’ll actually look forward to flying!

Fall Home Tips

Preparing your home for fall and winter is key!

Central Oregon Farmer's Markets

Summer means more time outdoors hiking, biking and enjoying the Central Oregon sunshine. Summer in Bend also brings the opening of several farmers markets around town. Check out the list below to learn more:

Downtown Market

Wednesdays 2-6pm | Located in the Brooks Alley at Crows Feet Commons, the downtown Bend farmer's market features many local vendors such as Crooked River Bison Ranch, Fields Farm, Sparrow Bakery and more! 

Eastside Market

Thursdays 2-6pm | The new Bend Eastside farmer's market location is at the Whole Foods Market. Vendors are still being finalize, but you can expect to see local favorites like Juniper Jungle Farms and Rainshadow Organics. 

Northwest Crossing Market

Saturdays 10-1 | Get your weekend started off right with a trip to the Northwest Crossing Farmer's Market. Featuring live music, events and local vendors, this market is a must-do whether you're a local or you're just visiting Bend for the weekend. Sip your coffee or beer as you peruse pottery vendors, local artisans, and of course loads of produce and fresh food. 

Central Oregon Fall Activities

From hiking to enjoying your favorite cup of coffee, it’s easy to take advantage of the fall season and everything it offers. Here are a few activities to enjoy the cooler weather, beautiful scenery, and the great community around Central Oregon.

Oktoberfest

To kickoff the fall season, Bend is holding it’s annual Oktoberfest on September 15th & 16th, 2017. Beer, food, wine, cider, music, quirky games, and much more is there for you to enjoy during the free event. This is a great way for local businesses to promote their services and products and for visitors to have a good time.

Rock Climbing

The climbing scene in Central Oregon is undeniably great no matter the season, but the fall offers weather for the best days. Smith Rock is the ultimate place to go and has all levels of climbing, from beginner to extreme. But if the weather isn’t cooperating or you’re really new to climbing, Bend Rock Gym is a great place to spend the day. They have a great staff that’s always willing to help give pointers and offer lessons.

Mountain Biking

With the cooler weather, the fall makes for some of the best mountain biking around Central Oregon. There are many popular local areas to visit (check out the list here) or you can head over to Mt. Bachelor Bike Park which has over 13 miles of downhill trails. Traveling or don’t have a bike? No worries, Mt. Bachelor has a fleet of bikes you can rent and there are also a handful of bike shops in Bend that offer tours and rentals, such as, Pine Mountain Sports and Cog Wild.

Metolius River

Central Oregon is full of gorgeous places, and there are some spots out there during the fall season with lots of changing colors you have to check out. Located just north of Sisters is the beautiful Metolius River, great for hiking, fly fishing, and enjoying a beautiful autumn day. In Bend, the Pilot Butte trail is a great hike and offers miles of views.

Beer

Central Oregon has a great selection of local brews and fall also offers a few awesome seasonal beers. Maps for the Bend Ale Trail are available at the Bend Visitor Center where you can get all the stamps and claim your prize. The Brew Bus is a great and fun way to travel around the breweries around Bend too!

Thrifting

If you enjoy shopping or an interesting activity on a rainy day, then thrifting might be your answer. Bend is full of awesome thrift shops to add a little spice to your spaces. The Humane Society Thrift is a good choice knowing proceeds are going to the local animal shelter. Other local thrift shops that are great for finding treasures include City Thrift, Possibilities, and Starburst. Gear Fix is also a great resale shop for used outdoor equipment.

Coffee

There’s something about cozying up in your favorite sweater and drinking a delicious warm drink. Thump Coffee, Backporch, Lone Pine, and Megaphone all roast their beans locally. In addition to those selections, there are many more wonderful local coffee shops in Bend that offer a different vibe, perfect for a cool autumn day. If you're not a coffee drinker, but are looking for a cozy spot to enjoy a cup of tea, Townshend's Tea downtown offers a warm atmosphere complete with couches and comfy chairs.

To learn more about everything Central Oregon has to offer, check out my relocation guide or give me a call - 541.728.3356. 

Original blog post by Cascade Sotheby's International Realty.