Thinking about relocating to Bend in 2023? Whether you’ve been planning for years and just waiting for the right time to make your move, or opportunities have just opened to move to Bend, there’s a lot to think about! And while our relocation services in Central Oregon can help with a lot of the details, we wanted to spend a little time looking at why 2023 is going to be a great year to finalize your move and make the big change.
1. The Housing Market is Opening Up
COVID – and its various variants – struck Bend when its real estate market was at new heights and exacerbated some of the effects that the market was experiencing during that time. Inventory was locked down, making new listings very difficult to find or compete against. Prices continued to rise, sometimes pricing people out of certain parts of the market. Rentals underwent a similar effect, and vacancies continued to be harder to find.
The Delta variant and slowing vaccine rates allowed these market conditions to continue throughout 2021, although we did see some improvement. Now 2022 is the year for the market to open again! Expect more listings than we’ve seen in the past couple of years and more rental opportunities, especially as new multi-family complexes open in various developments around Bend. It will also be an excellent time to look for lower prices and more affordable options if you are working within a specific budget.
Also, remember that Moving to Bend offers resources on local rentals and property listings to meet your needs. If you have an idea of what you are looking for and even a price range, contact us and we will be glad to help you find a home in Central Oregon.
2. A Diverse Number of Job Options
Job opportunities in Bend are more diverse than they’ve ever been. Several sectors are seeing healthy growth, including advanced manufacturing, tech, healthcare services, biotech, construction, and much more. And that’s in addition to the reliable brewery industry, hospitality businesses, and tourist opportunities. It’s a great place for a professional to start looking for a job!
3. Remote Work Options
Bend was king of remote work locations during lockdown, and those opportunities have persisted. The city became an excellent spot for professionals looking to get out of larger cities and move somewhere with all the amenities they wanted, but more breathing room and easier social distancing. As we’ve seen, remote work is here to stay for many companies, and Bend has become a haven for those who thrive in these kinds of setups. Working in Bend has never been easier!
4. New Home Developments are Being Completed
We mentioned that new rental projects are set to be completed within the next couple of years: The same is true of a wide variety of home developments throughout Bend, especially on the edges of the city where there is plenty of room for growth. This is an excellent opportunity to shop for lots, look at open houses, or find brand new homes in new Bend communities, with plenty more on the way.
5. The Concert Season is Shaping Up to Be Great
Bend’s biggest outdoor concert venue has a new name and already sports an excellent 2022 lineup of artists, including HAIM, Tenacious D, Weird Al Yankovic, Jack Johnson, the Goo Goo Dolls, and more. You also expect even more artists to be announced as the summer and fall season draws closer, so there’s a lot of fun to look forward to…and it’s a great way to relax after completing your big move to Central Oregon. Just try to get your ticket early!
6. Our Parks Are Expanding
Outdoor recreation in Bend has long been a highlight of the city, and even more options are on the way! Bend Parks and Rec have a variety of expansions and new projects set to make our amazing parks even better in the coming year including more space, more amenities for both humans and pets, easier access options, and even a number of restoration projects that you can get involved in if you like to do work for the community.
7. Oh, and the Beer Really Is Better Than Ever
Sure, having more breweries per capita than any other place in the country is great for those living in Bend, but the cool thing is that they continue planning even more inventive beers, continually showing that craft beer is far more than just an IPA scene. 2022 looks like a particularly great year for breweries to unleash new experiments and combinations, everything from flavorful pilsners to winter ales to the growing subsection of zero-alcohol beers.
