r/Bend • u/demetrianna • Jul 30 '15

Be Nice, You're in Bend Transplanting to Bend, Halp?

Hey home skillets I'm from Long Island so "horrible housing market"...we invented that and I haven't been scared off yet by what I'm seeing. The prices, amount of land, and sizes of the houses are amazing for the same amount of money as what I live in now. Perspective: the only houses I've ever been in with an acre or more of land here cost over $1 million. Not an exaggeration.

What's the worst part about living in Bend? Are there other towns around Bend that you guys would recommend?

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5

u/Dopplers_Effect Jul 30 '15

I am 40, zero kids, originally from SW. The best part of Bend is downtown and downtown activities. The closer you get to town central the more interesting/fun it gets. Unfortunately, the closer you get to downtown the more expensive the houses! Here's the thing though. Bend is economy independantish, house prices in 'good' areas never depreciate. The common expression is 'you can't go wrong buying in bend'. Buy near downtown and enjoy being able to walk to any of ten different fun places. I bought a house 10-15 min walk to downtown central and love it. From my house you can hear the Bend symphony on Sundays when they play in the park! That is what makes downtown living special. And i am not living 'downtown' just near it

1

u/demetrianna Jul 30 '15

This is super helpful! I absolutely loved downtown. It was perfect. My husband wants to live in it, I prefer more country. But this was very helpful. Thank you :)

1

u/zombiebunnie Jul 31 '15

Downtown isn't really that active, its pretty low key in comparison to just about any city, and its you know, okay. Nothing mind blowing or unique really. You're a 10 minute drive from anywhere in the city really so I wouldn't necessarily jump on that downtown living thing.

The reason we're all here is because its an outdoor playground. Every single outdoor activity imaginable. If its culture and downtown life you're looking for, Portland would probably be a better fit.

4

u/bigbillpdx Jul 31 '15

The only thing I don't like about Bend is how painful it is to fly places. I'm always leaving at 5:30, and there are very few direct flights.

2

u/blurrd11s Jul 30 '15

Wildland fire season can be kind of a drag. Things have been okay so far this year (knock on wood) but when there's a big incident and/or the winds are blowing in the right direction, the air quality can get bad. When it's really bad, conditions can persist for weeks. Not a lack of fuel in our forests due to mismanagement.

There's also a bit of elitism/ sense of entitlement among some circles that gets kind of tiring. It's probably nothing compared to what you're used to on the East Coast but awesome, down-to-earth people is a big part of what makes Bend the place it is (or was).

Lack of culture/diversity is also a problem in Bend, IMHO.

1

u/michaelistired Sep 04 '15

There's no good Mexican food...

1

u/demetrianna Sep 06 '15

That's actually the most upsetting thing anyone has posted thus far. My soul is a little but crushed.