A Postcard from Bend
Hard to beat living in a sunny place, only 20 minutes from skiing and watching my retirement dollars go so much further. Not much reason to worry about things when they are this convenient. 

 

About Bend, Oregon
Scenic and mild, Bend Oregon is a recreation destination for golfers and outdoor enthusiasts. The climate creates year-round possibilities to be outside. Bend shares many of the natural attributes of its neighboring towns, Sunriver, and Sisters, including great access to mountains and rivers. Skiing at Mt. Bachelor is in easy reach, as is the white water of the Deschutes River, around which the town was developed. In addition to acres of the town along the river, there are over 37 parks and ponds.

Due to its location on the Eastern side of the Cascades, Bend defies the “wet northwest” stereotype, instead providing good sunny weather for both ski and golf enthusiasts. The mild climate is one reason this is a very fast growing area, moving from rural to small city in a relatively short time.

Downtown Bend is home to numerous galleries, outdoor eateries and Drake Park, where you can see a pair of royal swans from Queen Elizabeth’s royal swannery. No matter how you spend your time in Bend, you will enjoy the spectacular view and scenery every moment.

Local History

The area was originally settled by Native Americans who were hunters and fishers. In 1824, fur trappers visited, followed by Army survey and finally westward heading pioneers. The bend in Deschutes River ( “Farewell Bend”) became the site of the small community which incorporated in 1903. The town grew with the completion of the railroad in 1911 and the establishment of lumber industry.

An Average Lifestyle in Bend, Oregon

This is the place to come for recreation, and people here go for it. People are either golfers, slightly older population, or the skier/snowboard, slightly younger group. In either case, activity is the main reason people choose Bend for the first or second home. It is particularly drawing active seniors who want skiing without living in the snow, and easy life with good weather and modest prices.

Housing

Options: Luxury Townhouses from low $300,000, lots of new home building, some farms and ranches, ski cabins, condos and golf course homes

Median Housing Costs: $145,500 in 2000; as of 2003 it was $186,000, with prices as low as $70,000 and as high as $1.7 million. A good rental market exists with three bedrooms renting for $900 and up. Bend is definitely a strong housing market.

Things to Do in Bend

Swimming

Tennis

Lots of shopping options

Horseback riding

Bird watching

Spectacalur winter sports at Mt. Bachelor including alpine and cross country skiing

Snowmobiling

Spelunking

Fly fishing

Mountain biking

Kayaking  

Spas

Camping

Mt. Bachelor Summer Chairlift Rides

Cultural Activities in Bend

Two Theater groups

Outdoor concerts at Drake Park

High Desert Museum

DesChutes Historical Center

Art galleries

Cascade Festival of Music (August)

Sunriver Music Festival

Near-By Excursions

Sunriver

Sisters

Mt. Bachelor

Location
Central Oregon, Deschutes County, at the foot of the Cascade Mountains.

Elevation: 3,628

Size: 32 square miles

Distance to other major cities

Sunriver: 15 miles

Sisters: 18 miles

Portland 160 miles

Salem 131 miles

Eugene 128 miles

Boise 319

Seattle 343 miles

Getting To Bend, Oregon

By car from nearby cities or Idaho

By air to Redmond Municipal Airport (16 miles) serviced by Horizon Airlines and United Express, connecting to Portland, Seattle and San Francisco.

Charter service to Bend Municipal Airport.

Train to Chemult (60 miles)

Bus

Weather
High desert: dry, sunny days, low humidity and cool nights. 

Annual Average Temperature: January: 20-40; July 43- 82

Annual Average Rainfall: The average12 inches, snow: 33.8

Demographics and Economics

Population: 62,900 (County: 130,500)

Median Age, 2000:  34.8 years

Median Household Income: $40,857

Taxes: No sales tax; State Income Tax 9%; property tax: $1,516 per $100,000

Principle Industries: Tourism, Health and social services

Higher Education

Central Oregon Community College

Oregon State University Cascade Campus