Considering Bend

100,421

Population

Sunny Days: 158

90100 Affordability

85100 Schools

60100 Diversity

100100 Safety

See all the facts!

LookyLOO Review of Bend

The Great Outdoors

There are other places in the Northwest and mountain states with great outdoor lifestyle experiences. We’re just saying Bend is better than any of them. To start, you’re on the Deschutes River so canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and just walking the shores are 10 minutes away. Next, Mt Bachelor, an excellent ski resort, is LESS than 10 minutes away. Add to all of these things an amazing biking scene, hiking trails everywhere you look, and 160-165 days of sunshine per year (the most of any city in Oregon) and you’ve got the premier northwest spot for outdoor lovers.

You will hear locals complain about population growth (or the popularity of complaining about the growth) and that there's not much of a local business economy. Most of the newbies pouring into Bend are either retirees or those who can work remotely. If you’re looking for a job other than in the service sector, it’s going to be tough.

Lifestyle

Living In A Bigger Home With More Land

Given most people are moving here from cities along the west coast it is extremely likely you’re going to live in a bigger home with more land than you’re used to. There are plenty of cool condo buildings as well, that a ton of empty nesters and retirees enjoy. We’ve never seen a healthier boomer population than in Bend and given it has a 91 walk score, you can expect to be a short walk or an extremely short drive from downtown and tons of breweries, restaurants, boutique coffee shops, and everything else you need.

To get an understanding of all the happenings in Bend check out the calendar of events.

We highly recommend visiting Bend and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well.

Why You Should Move Here Now?

Pandemic (and post-pandemic) Nirvana

When people talk about escaping their city lives and moving to a roomier, healthier, happier place, they might as well just pack and head to Bend. Central Oregon is ridiculously beautiful, and Bend is right in the middle of that beauty. Plus, it has a cool town you get to enjoy.

Reviews of Bend from Locals

TailorGlad3272
2 yr. ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

In my opinion Bend is the best place in the world, and it does not take long to find a community here where you feel welcome. It's full of people who love and care about the city, who want it to be the best place it can be! While the Bend is not without its problems ( mostly housing affordability and other challenges of a place experiencing rapid growth), it is also full of people trying to solve them.

If you're interested in charitable nonprofits, Bend is full of them. Here are some that come to mind: You can volunteer and support groups like Reach, Neighbor Impact, The Bethlehem Inn, and the Family Kitchen if you want to help the houseless community.

The local Habitat for Humanity branch takes volunteers to build affordable housing every day.

If you care about the environment and want to focus on nature, climate change or conservation, there is the Environmental Center, the Central Oregon Trail Alliance, the Deschutes Land Trust, or the Central Oregon Land Watch.

There are advocacy organizations for just about any social issue you care about, like Out Central Oregon, The Father's Group, Mom's Demand Action, Bend Bikes, Bend YIMBY, Envision Bend, and others.There are like 3 rotary branches.

For more reviews of what living in Bend is like from locals, check out The Reviews.