Author: Melissa Gottlieb

At Moving To Bend, we get a lot of questions about living in Bend from newcomers. That’s great! We love answering those questions. But to make things a little easier for those doing research on how to relocate to Bend, we gathered the 10 most commonly asked questions about living here to answer them all in one spot. 

1. What is the Cost of Living Like? 

Above the national average, but this is largely relative. Bend can be expensive but is generally cheaper than the most popular Portland suburbs, and significantly less expensive than places like the Bay Area or the most sought-after spots in Seattle. 

2. What Do You Do To Make Friends?

Bend has a plethora of different events, festivals, workshops, and gatherings to make bonding with others easier. However, COVID-19 has led to many of these opportunities to switch to online versions, at least for now. We suggest that you look at MeetUp and other popular apps to find which groups are arranging web meetings and hop in. Volunteer options are also a great way to get to know people throughout the city!

3. Is There Public Transportation?

Bend has a public bus system with regular stops throughout the city. Getting familiar with ride apps like Uber is a good idea if you don’t feel like you’ll be doing much driving here. If you have a bike, biking through the center of the city can be one of the best ways to easily get around during the day. 

4. What Do You Do When It Starts Snowing?

Fans of Bend’s fresh powder will hit the slopes! But if you love summer activities and aren’t sure what to do in winter, don’t worry. There are plenty of indoor/outdoor places with firepits to cozy up to, and lots of winter adventures for all ages, from snowshoeing in the moonlight to skiing at Mt. Bachelor. But it’s a good idea to grab some snow tires. 

5. What Beer is the Best?

We don’t want to start a fight, so we suggest you try them all yourself! The Bend Ale Trail can help with that. But in the battle of the breweries, Deschutes Brewery generally stands out as the oldest and most well-known brand. 

6. Is Bend Pet Friendly?

Bend is consistently known as one of the most dog-friendly places in the country. There are tons of activities and parks to take your pet, lots of local products just for them, and nearly everywhere you go will have some type of provision for dog companions. 

7. Where is the Best Place to Live in Bend?

All of Bend’s neighborhoods have their advantages, so a lot will depend on what type of living experience (and environment) you want when moving to Bend. That being said, homes near the center of town and Old Mill are generally the most sought after. If you are looking for a rental, start your search early, because vacancy rates can sometimes be a challenge. 

8. Are the People in Bend Friendly?

Bend generally does an excellent job of retaining small-town friendliness and welcoming attitudes for all – it’s a point of pride for the community, which includes a lot of newcomers since Bend has been a popular relocation spot for years. Some are a little worried about how large Bend has become but enjoy the benefits that growth has brought. 

9. What are Job Opportunities Like in Bend?

Great for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Bend also has opportunities in tech, healthcare, recreation of all kinds, and, of course, hospitality and restaurant industries. 

10. What Can I Do If I Don’t Like a Lot of Outdoor Recreation?

While outdoor fun is a big feature of living in Bend, it’s far from the only focus. There are many opportunities for getting involved in the arts, exploring the robust music scene in Bend, finding your favorite café, perusing used bookshops, or just looking for the next good place to eat. While frequent festivals and events have changed a bit during coronavirus times, there are smaller versions of gatherings to look for and many online events as well!

While the average home price in Bend, Oregon sits at around $529,000, there are a wide variety of homes and rental options available in all kinds of price ranges. However, some knowledge of the real estate in Bend can be a huge help: Here are a few things everyone should know when starting their search for a home in the Bend market.

1. Know the Type of Home You Are Looking For First

Bend has many different property types depending on what you are looking for. There are condos, single-family homes with small yards, townhouses, more rural estates with space, secluded cabins and cottages, farmhouses, and more. That’s why it’s very important to start by thinking about the type of home you would be interested in purchasing based on your lifestyle. Think about a type of home and a price range, then you can narrow down your search in Bend to the right neighborhoods.

This is also a good time to think about amenities and the physical location of your home. Do you want to live surrounded by trees? Do you want easy access to the high desert, or are you more interested in being close to the heart of the city? Are mountain views important to you? Every decision you make can help speed up the process!

2. Be Prepared to Act Fast

The real estate market in Bend continues to thrive – but that can also pose challenges for buyers. The latest numbers we have from July 2020 show that, year-over-year, average single-family home sales prices are up around 12%, pending sales are up 153%, and sold homes are up about 31%, even during this pandemic. This flurry of activity and the associated general conditions of 2020 also mean that the number of new listings and overall homes for sale are down.

This creates an extremely competitive market for those buying a home in Bend. The best way to deal with this is to be prepared to act fast. That means making decisions about sales offers and counter offers as soon as you can. If you find a property that really seems ideal to you, you may not want to wait around before setting the purchase process into action. Also, the more cash down you can offer, the better your chances to win the most sought-after properties.

3. Find an Experienced Realtor or Relocation Service

You don’t want to waste time to trying to figure out the right neighborhoods to search or find that the by the time a property appears in an online listing offers have already been made on it. That’s why it’s important to find a realtor or work with a relocation service that knows experienced realtors that have worked in the area for years.

4. Home Prices Can Vary (Somewhat) By Region

Home prices in Bend don’t vary as much as they do in some areas, but there are differences in how similar homes are priced depending on the neighborhood. Generally speaking, the homes closest to the Deschutes River (and primarily throughout the center and northwest parts of Bend) have the highest prices. The further you move away from the river and central location – especially towards the south – the more affordable options are generally available.

5. Think About Shopping Around In the Fall

It can be easier to move around the city, carry out home inspections, meet with realtors, and other tasks before the winter snow and ice arrive in the city. As a result, many sellers try to get their properties off the market before the holidays, when things slow down. This makes fall a good time to look for home deals or enter into negotiations – and it’s usually not as busy as the spring real estate rush.

Remember, Bend Relocation Services can help make the home buying experience faster and more pleasant as you get ready to move to Bend. Contact them to see what they can do for you.

 

One of the most important choices a family moving to Bend can make is which school is right for their growing children – and that means finding a neighborhood that works for everyone!

Overall, Bend has 17 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and four primary public high schools – and new schools are continuing to open. Keep in mind there are also private schools, independent schools, and other options in the city. How do you choose the right option? Here’s where to begin.

1. Know Your Location Needs

Bend has a number of excellent elementary and middle schools throughout its neighborhoods, which means finding the right school for your younger children doesn’t have to be difficult! It’s best to look at elementary schools and neighborhoods at the same time, so you can get a good idea of school options, how near schools are, and which are your favorite. Pine Ridge Elementary and Juniper Elementary are two traditionally popular options, but newer schools have great campuses and are worth a visit, too! The goal is to find a neighborhood with a matching school that works for your entire family. If you’re brand new to Bend, this can be a challenge, but Moving To Bend is happy to help out with resources, advice, and valuable services.

It’s also a good idea to check out school bus routes when looking for the right home, although this is a more flexible consideration.

2. Understand School Types

Schools in Bend include several different types available throughout the city. Public schools and charter schools (independently operated public schools that often offer specializations) are two of the most common. There are also magnet schools in the area, which are public schools with a particular focus and a lottery application process to attend. Private schools and independent schools also offer options throughout the city and registering for homeschooling is always a possibility!

Finally, if you are considering higher education in Bend, your primary two in-person options are COCC (Central Oregon Community College) and Oregon State University Cascades Campus.

3. Understand School Areas

Middle and high school students are generally assigned a school based on regional attendance areas and your address. For example, high schoolers within city limits go to Bend High (central locations), Summit (western Bend), Mountain View (northern Bend) or Caldera (southern Bend) based on their home address and school zone boundaries. Additional high schools like Skyline and Bend Tech Academy also provide alternatives. Bend schools give parents useful handbooks and maps for easier planning, so it’s important to always check your potential home address while looking for schools in Bend.

4. Start Applications Early If Necessary

Choice options for a specific school and lotteries for magnet schools require a thorough application process and request form. It’s important to start this process ASAP, since these applications generally open around the beginning of the year and quickly fill up.

5. Be Aware of Important Changes

Even school districts and options can change, sometimes quickly. For example, this will be the first year that Caldera High School will be open, which required a significant redrawing of Bend’s school district boundaries (including middle school boundaries). It’s important to keep up on these changes and always refer to the latest information when moving to Bend.

Remember, Moving To Bend can help you with school enrollment, finding the right neighborhood, and other important steps to make your move to Bend as smooth as possible.

 

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Bend and Deschutes Country continue to handle the COVID-19 pandemic well: Thanks to the measures taken locally and by the state, the county’s cases have been limited to around 600 at this time. However, it’s important to understand current mask requirements, especially for people moving to Bend – to help prevent cases from spiking any further! Let’s take a look at what everyone should know.

Mask Mandates are In Full Effect

Central Oregon is currently in stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan. That means, as of July 24^th, face coverings are required for ages 5 and up, both indoors and in outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not required. Capacity for places like gyms or concert halls are reduced to 100 people at this time. Otherwise, everyone should also stay at least six feet away from each other.

Establishments in Bend follow these rules carefully. Restaurants, for example, have reorganized or blocked off their tables to enforce the six-foot for all participants. Plentiful stickers and signs show people where to stand or wait.

The good news for Bend is that summer weather has been particularly fine, and many restaurants and pubs are able to provide spread-out outdoor seating, which offers more space and cuts the risk of spreading the virus in more strictly regulated indoor spaces. This is bound to change as cooler temperatures develop in the fall and winter, but for now Bend’s food, drink, and entertainment scenes remain active.

Fines Do Apply Locally

Disregarding mandates is a bad idea in Bend – the city council has approved a $500 fine for those caught not following mask orders. Additionally, the city has closed public access to city facilities (except the police department lobby).

Hiking and Nature Activities Are Possible, Within Limits

Currently, Bend parks and recreational centers are open, including playgrounds and sports courts (except for basketball courts). Individual centers may have their own requirements for social distancing, and masks may be required.

National forests are also currently open for business, including places like Crater Lake, and there are no strict regulations for hiking or camping in these locations, or the other trails around central Oregon. However, facilities may be limited or closed, which means you will have to take care of all your own trash and use nature as your restroom. People are encouraged to avoid hikes if the trailhead already seems crowded, and to carry out their own waste when possible.

Large Gatherings Aren’t Happening This Year

While online and small social gatherings are common in Bend (regulations say you have to keep them under 10 people), large groups are effectively canceled. That includes all major concerts, any Bend festivals for the foreseeable future, church gatherings, many in-person business events, and similar situations. However, small bands in Bend’s strong underground music scene are still regularly showing up at pubs and restaurants with proper social distancing, so there are ways to enjoy live music!

Be Practical and Safe

Mask regulations and social distancing can help keep the city safe, but common sense also goes a long way. If you see a lot of activity at your favorite taphouse or park, it may be better to come back during off hours instead. Focus on outdoor plazas and beer gardens where transmission is less likely. Follow your favorite organizations and hangs on social media so they can keep you updated on their hours, social distancing measures, and more!