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Bend has its share of famous people, who enjoy the beauty and relaxation of the mountain city just like the rest of us. If you’re moving to Bend, take a little break and read about them! For those celebrities living in Bend, they like to blend in like the rest of us locals.

1. Christina “Kiki” Cutter

With Mt. Bachelor and the rest of the Cascades nearby, it’s no surprise that Bend’s list of celebrities includes a lot of snow sports professionals and Olympic medal winners. Cutter was one of the very first, an alpine ski racer who was born in Bend and won the first American medal in the 1968 Olympics in Oslo (fun fact – back in those days Mt. Bachelor was actually called Bachelor Butte until a big rebranding push). Cutter ultimately won five international victors over three years, a record that remained unbroken for a decade.

2. Donald M. Kerr

Kerr is held in high regard throughout the state for his founding of the incredible High Desert Museum in Bend, where he lived and managed the facility for its first 16 years and created the famous combination of science, entertainment, education, and love of wildlife that now makes the Museum such an interesting and active place. The Museum will be happy to tell you more about his fascinating story but to really honor his memory, be sure to stop by the Birds of Prey center at the museum.

3. Philip Hampson Knight

For Nike fans, Knight probably doesn’t need any introduction, but he is one of the chief cofounders of Nike, Inc, and has served as both chairman and CEO for the company in past years (he is now retired). Forbes recognizes Knight as one of the richest people in the world these days, so it’s no surprise he has homes everywhere, including his primary residence in La Quinta – but he still makes seasonal escapes to his Bend home and we’re more than glad to welcome him.

4. John Thomas Chambers

Chambers is well-known as the CEO and chairman of Cisco Systems Inc., as well as for his role in a variety of other tech giants like IBM. Much like Knight, he spends most of his time in California but has a home in Bend that he visits for special events and getaways.

5. Matthew Chandler Fox

Famous actors who live in Bend generally prefer to keep their heads down and enjoy life like the rest of us, but they are here – Fox is one popular example and is most widely known for his role as Jack Shepard on Lost, although he has an extensive filmography beyond that.

6. Drew Bledsoe

Northwest native Drew Bledsoe is most well-known for his 14-season run in the NFL where – among other achievements – he served as QB for the New England Patriots. Of course, Bledsoe is long retired but happily living in Central Oregon where he enjoys a bit of skiing, likes experimenting with making wine, and occasionally even teaches a bit of football at the local high schools.

7. Rainn Wilson

While Wilson is widely known for his role as Dwight in The Office, he deserves great credit for his extended career as a comedian, director, producer (he also wrote his own autobiography, which is probably more of a polite way of learning about him than shouting at him in public).

Who we are and what we do

Comfort Keepers provides in-home care for seniors and disabled adults in Central Oregon. We have the unique opportunity to benefit someone’s life at home – keeping them safe and secure, while fostering their independence. All of us will at some time face the decision of extra caregiving, be it from family, friends or professionals. The caregivers at Comfort Keepers not only provide exceptional services for the client, but can ease the stress and worry of family members. Our job is not just to take care of the client, but to make sure everyone involved benefits from our services. Whether it’s basic companion care, personal care, or hospice-level care, Comfort Keepers is the one company that can do it all. Our in-home assessments are free, so give us a call and let us put your mind at ease.

What sets us apart

The passion, integrity and skill level of our care-team members – hands-down the best in Central Oregon – and the reason our community partners recommend us first over any other in-home care agency. We pride ourselves on hiring those with heart and grit – caregivers are born, not made – and we are so lucky to have the best team in the area. By respecting and rewarding their work, our team gives so much back in return. We communicate, listen and work as a team – so everyone benefits! 

Come work for us

Take advantage of our $500 sign-on bonus, competitive rates and flexible schedules! Our office staff is open to meeting your needs so that you can best meet the needs of our clients. We offer benefits for full AND part-time workers, such as dental, vision and telehealth services. Online training programs are available as well as college credit courses. Comfort Keepers provides all PPE and paid training – online and in the field. Ask any of our current care team members – we support and value you. Come work for the best!

With Earth Day upon us, it’s a great time to check our daily habits and see what simple changes we can make to be more eco-friendly and live sustainably. Fortunately, Oregon is already skilled in this area, and Bend offers many opportunities – in groups and solo – to go green. Here are a few of our favorite options if you’re looking to make more of a difference living in Bend!

1. Dispose of Your E-Waste Properly

E-waste or electronic waste is generally anything with a circuit board and any electrical appliances you may be using. These devices can contain toxic metals and other harmful materials that cannot be leached into the environment. When the time comes to upgrade your laptop or phone, look for local options to properly recycle old devices! Businesses like Best Buy and Lowes usually have drop-off points for smaller devices, and the city does accept electronic waste if it’s properly identified.

2. Support Local Eco-Tourism and Green Businesses

Many businesses in Bend make it a point to practice sustainability and encourage green practices in the community. Supporting these businesses and their efforts are an excellent way to make difference around Earth Day! Notable businesses around town include Strictly Organic, Wanderlust Tours, Tumalo Creek Kayak and Canoe, Ouzel Outfitters, Ruff Wear, and more.

If you want to support organic foods and related practices, Newport Market and Market of Choice are great options. If you are staying in Bend briefly, the Oxford Hotel and Riverhouse on the Deschutes River are both known for their eco-friendly practices!

3. Take a Green Spa Day

If you are wondering what to do in Bend and feel like pampering yourself a little, check out Anjou Spa, a green spa service that uses sustainable and organic products. If you prefer to take your spa days at home, check out Angelina Organic Skin Care products instead!

4. Cut Your Commute Footprint

Bend is small enough that most destinations are easy to reach without lengthy commutes, and many parts of the city are bike-friendly while working in Bend. There are also public transportation options via CET! In other words, there are many ways to cut down on driving or remove driving altogether in your daily life. That helps reduce your overall carbon footprint – and biking or walking is great for your health, too.

5. Look for Earth Advantage Certification

Earth Advantage is a certification you can find on rentals, homes, and other properties throughout Central Oregon. This is a sign that the building was built in specific ways to address energy efficiency, recycled materials, landscaping that helps save on water usage, and lots more.

6. Volunteer for the Environment

Check out Central Oregon volunteer options and Bend Parks & Recreation to see if there are any activities you may be interested in. There are usually nonprofit efforts looking for help with things like cleaning up parks, planting more wildlife-friendly flora, removing invasive species, and much more. If you like making a difference by being active in the community, this is a great place to start!

If you need help with your landscaping, contact a local landscaper.

Remember, visit Moving to Bend for updates on the latest policies and practices that will have an impact on you!

I have a great example of this as I had a listing go pending before going live in the MLS.  Please click on the house picture below to see my featured listing that went pending last week.  A beautiful town home located in the Orchard District in the heart of midtown.  Call me to list your house.

How about some numbers.  The median home price in Bend rose to $590,000, up $15,000 from the previous month and up over $100,000 for the same time in 2020.  Days on the market held steady at 4 with an inventory of only 0.49.  Every price band in the market trend report listed below for Bend closed above asking price in March.

The story is the same in Redmond.  The median price of a single family home in March was $412,000, up $49,000 from March 2020, and up $73,000 from March 2020.  Days on the market was steady at 4 with an inventory of 0.50.  Most price bands closed over asking price.

Sunriver: Median price $775,000, days on the market 3 and inventory at 0.4.
Sisters: Median price $428,000. days on the market 6 and inventory at 0.5.
LaPine: Median price $308,000, days on the market 4, and inventory at 0.6.
Crook County: Median price $383,000, days on the market 9 and inventory 0.76.

Buyers be ready and prepared to make in offer right away and sellers be ready to have some place to move!

Take a look below at a new ad I’m running on the movingbend.comwebsite.  What family do you know that I can help with real estate here in Central Oregon?

I have included some specific market numbers below in my market trend report along with the Beacon Report that looks at all the smaller towns in our area in more detail.

Please let me know if you would like a current market value of your home, need a name of a service provider to fix something at your home, need a lender to get some finance numbers, have any real estate questions or would like information on specific properties or the current state of the market.  I want to be your resource for all real estate needs here in Central Oregon.

I live in Bend but serve all of Central Oregon with client’s real estate needs.

Please reach out to me if I can help you, or someone in your friend and acquaintance circle, with real estate in Central Oregon.

All the best,
Mark

https://www.markholmerealtor.com

If you are planning on moving to Bend, there are a few things that everyone will probably tell you – outdoor recreation is huge, there’s tons of beer, great place to start a business, etc. But there are also aspects to Bend and Central that can catch people by surprise when they are actually living in Bend. Let’s dispel some of the mystery and talk about the other things you should know when moving to our beautiful city – so you’ll be prepared no matter what!

1. The City is Very Bike-Friendly

Bend is a famed spot for biking competitions, but cycling in general is easy here, especially in the newer or renovated parts of the city where plenty of room has been made for biking paths. If you live anywhere close to your work, biking there is not only possible but often preferable as long as there isn’t snow on the ground, which could make working in Bend even more enjoyable!

2. The Slopes Aren’t Just for Winter

Sure, skiing and snowboarding are huge hobbies here, but the mountains have plenty to offer in the warmer seasons as well. Ziplining, hiking to the summits, exploring the lava fields, whitewater rafting, or grabbing lunch at your favorite lodge with perfect views…all of these are possibilities thanks to our proximity to the Cascades.

3. …And the Trails Aren’t Just for Summer

If you’ve never been snowshoeing, dogsledding, or cross-country skiing, you should really try them some time! The many surrounding trails of Central Oregon can be just as much fun in the snow as under the summer sun, so keep it in mind when looking at what to do in Bend.

4. Water Plays a Big Role in Our Outdoor Fun

The Deschutes River is a core part of Bend’s lifestyle, and residents are often passionate about floating, paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking, and testing out their latest boards on Bend’s own surf wave zone. And that’s just the river inside the city – Central Oregon is packed with lakes and streams that support every type of water activity you could dream of. 

5. There Are a Lot of Trees

We know, many pictures of Bend try to capture the majesty of the mountains and high desert or the iconic view of the river or Old Mill smokestacks. But it’s important to keep in mind that Bend is about halfway inside a deep Cascade forest, and there are a lot of trees here, especially towering ponderosa pine and tough juniper. If you like living under trees and in a forest, you’ll love some of the locations in the city, but if you’re more interested in mountain views and desert hikes, there are plenty of spots perfect for those, too.

6. Get Used to Trying New Things

One byproduct of a city being so open to entrepreneurs and new businesses is that there can be both significant business turnover and new ventures to explore. That means there’s always some new restaurant, café, or artisanal creation to try – which is a great way to keep boredom at bay when you don’t know what to do. It also means it’s important to patronize the places you love the most, so they don’t vanish after several months!

7. Prepare to Enjoy Bend’s Music Scene

It isn’t talked about as much, but Bend has a thriving music scene with many talented bands, some excellent music festivals, and a plethora of venues both large and small for musical performances of all kinds. If you’re a musician or love live music, you’ll find plenty to like here as our music culture soars back from its COVID hiatus.