Thinking about moving to Bend? 

You can trust the Central Oregon Investor Network to give you our honest opinion so you can decide.

Bend has desirable weather, outdoor access, and pristine beauty. Our small city/big town has made a name for itself as a popular resort and destination town. 

The lifestyle here appeals to folks who prioritize outdoor recreation as a lifestyle, and especially to digital nomads who can make a living by working remotely.

 

Bend History

Bend’s name was derived from “Farewell Bend” - a spot along the Deschutes River used by early pioneers as one of the only fordable points of the river.

This is where the town eventually started as a logging town at the beginning of the 20th century. The first commercial sawmill was established in 1901, and the gradually growing community was incorporated in 1905 with approximately 500 people.

Population growth:

• Current population of Bend: 102,059 (2022 Census)

• Bend has grown 93.9% since 2000 

• Bend is smaller than Salem and Eugene, about the same size as Beaverton

• A California reference point: Bend is similar in size to Chico.

• Bend is considered a great retirement destination 

PROs:

Weather:

• Bend boasts the highest average number of sunny days in Oregon! 

• 158 clear days per year + 105 mostly sunny days = 263 days of SUN!

• Central Oregon including Bend is in the high desert, with junipers and sagebrush

• Typical weather: sunny days, low humidity, cool nights 

• Average annual precipitation = less than 12 inches

• Over half of that falls between November + February, often as snow

• Average annual snowfall = 34 inches 

• Mt. Bachelor is the area's most popular ski resort, just 22 miles SW of Bend with annual snowfall of 160 to 180 inches

Water quality:

Bend’s surface water is diverted from Bridge Creek, a small stream about 11 miles west of Bend and has served as Bend’s source of drinking water since 1926. 

The watershed is spring-fed and mostly pristine old growth forest owned entirely by the USFS. The water sources include both surface water and groundwater. 

Bend water straight out of the tap is some of the clearest, cleanest, most delicious water we’ve tasted in the country. 

Beer + foodie town:

There are 30 breweries and counting, multiple wine tasting rooms, a local vineyard, and a handful of distilleries. 

No matter what part of town you are in, there are lots of restaurants and grub joints, including at least 6 food cart pods spanning the city. 

Parks and Recreation:

One of our favorite aspects of the city is Bend Park & Rec District with 3,035 acres of developed and undeveloped parkland, comprised of 84 parks and 75 miles of urban trails. 

The Juniper Swim & Fitness Center, The Pavilion, and the Larkspur Community Center facilitates 1,000 programs and classes for all ages and abilities.

Public Schools:

Public schools in Bend are above average, rated #46 out of #158 in the state.

Bend is the largest of the communities within the Bend La Pine School district. Bend has 16 elementary schools, 2 K-8 schools, 6 middle schools and 6 high schools.

The district has an enrollment of more than 18,000 students, and is the fifth largest in the state of Oregon as of 2016.

Additionally, Bend has higher education programs with OSU-Cascades and Central Oregon Community College (COCC).

Safe + Family-Friendly:

Bend is rated among the safest cities in Oregon.

Between all our parks, playgrounds, trails, walkability, and great schools, Bend is a great place to raise a family.

Pet Friendly:

Once again, our abundance of parks, trails, and outdoor spaces with off-leash dog areas make Bend a very pet-friendly place.

Bend Parks & Rec offers 9 incredible off-leash parks with acres of drool-worthy playgrounds. 

Pine Nursery Park, Riverbend Park, and Hollinshead Park are local faves.

Bend was named the most dog-friendly city by DogTown USA in 2012! 

Location:
It only takes 15 minutes to get anywhere in town by car in Bend.

There are miles of paved and gravel trails spanning the city - along the canals, the Deschutes river, and up to the peak of Bend’s scenic Pilot Butte to name a few. 

Bend also features ample bike paths for those who choose to commute by bicycle, and has a great community for cycling enthusiasts.  

Our location in the midst of mountains, rivers, lakes, and forests means that outdoor recreation is always close at hand.

Outdoor Lover’s Paradise:

Central Oregon boasts tons of year-round outdoor activities. The greatest thing about the outdoor lifestyle here is that all of these activities are nearby and you don’t have to make a whole day of it - almost any fun thing you want to do is likely a 15-45 minute drive from your front door. 

Some of our favorite outdoor activities in the area are:

• Hiking 

• Cycling and mountain biking

• World class rock climbing

• River + lake activities - kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddleboarding

• Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing

• Exploring caves

• Disc golf

• Golf with more than two dozen courses in the area

• Horseback riding

• Ice skating

• Tubing and floating the Deschutes River

CONs:

Living Expenses:

• Median sales price for homes (Nov. 2022) = $696k 

• Median monthly rent (Jan. 2023) = $2,700

• Median household income = $74,253

• You’ll want lots of gear to explore all the awesome outdoor activities in Bend

Some cost of living categories to consider when moving to Bend:

• Cost of groceries = average

• Healthcare = average

• Housing = more than double average

• Utilities = below average

• Transportation = below average

Job Opportunities:

• Among those aged 16 and older, 67.1% of Bend residents are in the labor force

• Among the adult population 25 years old and over

• 95.5% of Bend residents have at least a high school degree or equivalent

• 44.0% have a bachelor's degree

• 16.3% have a graduate or professional degree

• Unemployment rate in Bend = 4.8%

Central Oregon Employment Sectors:

• Healthcare + Medicine = largest employment sector in Central Oregon

• Technology

• Tourism, Recreation, Hospitality

• Automotive 

• Construction

• Startups

Lack of Diversity:

• Bend demographics:

• 92.5% White

• 9.2% Hispanic

• 3.4% Two+ races

• 1.8% Asian

• 1.2% Other

• 0.6% Black 

• 0.5% American Indian

• 5.4% foreign-born 

• Primary Language:

• 8.1% of speak a non-English language at home

• 5.7% of residents speak Spanish at home

• 1.4% speak an Indo-European language

• 0.8% speak an Asian language

Fire Season:

Fire is part of the natural cycle in Central Oregon and wildfires are becoming an annual experience in our beautiful area.

As a result, you’ll likely experience reduced air quality during the summer with 7-40 days of AQI values above 100 - considered unhealthy for the general population.

Camping and warming fires are typically allowed from November - May each year. Burn bans go into effect in the spring months and last until the first snow of the year.

Call before you burn to ensure campfires are allowed: 541-322-6335.

Population Growth:

Your perspective on this topic depends where you are moving from.

Some Bend transplants experience disdain from long-time “locals” who are opposed to the influx in population, sprawl, traffic, new construction, and strain on natural resources. 

Bend is currently growing at a rate of 2.17% annually and spans 33 miles with a population density of 3,200 people per square mile.

Winter and Weather:

The high desert is just that - a desert with dry air and can take some time to adjust to. Humidifiers, moisturizer, and drinking lots of water can help your body adapt.

The nearest big city (Portland) is a three hour drive over a mountain pass. Bend’s location means you will need to get comfortable driving in snowy, mountainous terrain.

The cold season lasts for 3+ months, from November - March, with an average daily high temperature of 48°F.

Bend’s coldest month is December, with an average low of 25°F and high of 40°F.

Advice for someone looking to move to Bend:

• Secure your housing

• Have a job lined up or work remotely

• Secure child care

• Visit during different seasons

• Drink lots of water (and local beer!)

BONUS BEND FAVORITE PLACES:

Some of our favorite places to explore and enjoy in the area are:

• High Desert Museum

• Pilot Butte

• Drake Park

• Deschutes River Trail

• Hayden Homes Amphitheater

• Old Mill District

• Newberry Crater

• Smith Rock