Young twenty-something relocating to Bend! (Portland, Eugene: fit in, transferring to, schools)

[Sambazon]

Hey folks, how's it going?

My pops just accepted a job offer that will be paying him generously but will require that he relocates to Bend. He and I have an incredibly tight bond and he pitched the idea of me possibly joining him next year after this upcoming fall semester is up.

Some background info: I'm a 21-year-old female college student. Although a big city girl at heart, I'm totally open to the idea of getting away and living in a small town where I can completely immerse myself in fun outdoor activities. I'm a bit of a tomboy... I've been bodybuilding and weighlifting since I was 16 and already started searching for gyms in the area. I've also had my share of longboard skateboard sessions out here in Southern California suburbs and I'm anxious to see how my skills will translate to snowboarding. I run on hot and sweat easily so cold weather and snow is something I would gladly embrace. I also enjoy a good beer every now and was very happy to hear that Oregon is saturated with breweries.

My reason for moving (other than being able to live with my dad) is the fact that I'm young; I like that I don't have any obligations tying me down (single, I've outgrown my immediate group of friends), which pretty much allows me to move on a whim without leaving much (if anything) behind. I've never been to Oregon, but I've recently ventured out to Seattle and Vancouver, BC back in May and loved it, so I at least have an idea of what the Pacific Northwest is like. I've been lurking around and noticed a lot of you Oregonians despise the mere thought of a Californian invading your homeland, but I promise you, I come in peace. Looking forward to enjoying your beautiful state and all it has to offer!


Now for my questions...

1.) Just based on the information given, does it sound like I'd fit in well?
2.) I understand it's a subjective thing, but generally speaking, how easy/difficult is it for a single 21-year-old to meet new people and make new friends in such a small town? I intend to partake in plenty of activities and getting involved to increase my chances.
3.) How good of schools are University of Oregon and OSU-Cascades? I still have some more units to tackle at community college before transferring, would I still be able to make friends at COCC as well?
4.) Are there a lot of lakes in the area? I would really love to start rowing.
5.) My dad will be working near the Towneplace Suites and Fairfield Inn. How is that part of Bend? I'm thinking of investing in a cheap bike on Craigslist to ride around town when I'm up there.
6.) How far is the drive to/from Eugene as well as Portland (duration)?


I know a lot of my questions could be answered via Google but I'm a little pressed for time at the moment so I'm hoping you native Oregonians can weigh in on all this and possibly provide some additional information I should keep in mind (things/places to avoid, etc.). Your help is very much appreciated, thank you for your time.

[finest14]

You'll fit in fine, not really a "small town" with over 80,000 people. My son (about the same age as you) moved here last year and attends COCC. He's met lots of people and having a blast. Many, many lakes in the area, and you can row on the Deschutes River in the middle of town. Portland/Eugene are about three hours away...but can be a tough drive in the winter. Come on up, you'll love it here.

[Sambazon]

Thanks for the warm welcome! I wanna ask another question now that it just came to mind!

I'm a pre-med student finishing up community college, so I will be transferring to a 4-year from COCC. I was originally gunning for UCSD down here and majoring in Human Biology, but because of these new Oregon plans, I'm considering University of Oregon or Oregon State. Which school has a better science department? Academics is my first priority, I don't care too much about social life.

I have one more year of community college to complete. Hypothetically speaking, will living up in Oregon for a year and attending a UC school mean I'd have to pay out-of-state tuition?

[Neal2009]

If you go to Oregon state or Oregon, you will not be relocating to Bend, but rather to Corvallis or Eugene. These towns are pretty far from Bend and the climate is completely different. Yes, you will have to pay out of state tuition unless you work for a year and gain residency. Keep in mind you can still take classes during the year you are working towards residency, but you can not take more than 8 hours. I know this is weird and hard to comprehend at first, but thats how it is.

Another option is Eastern Oregon, which allows out of state students to pay in state tuition without having to work a year. They have a great online program, so that could allow you to stay in Bend while studying at the same time.

As far as the California thing goes, dont worry about it. Over 40 percent of the population here is from California and it seems every other person I meet is from California. I heard they even outnumber native Oregonians.

[heat seekers]

I think you would love Bend if your open to the cold winters. Like you said there's snowboarding and skiiing and other winter sports right there. The best part is that even though it snows a lot it stays sunny! Summers are amazing there, so much to do. Everything is beautiful, but it can get pretty hot on some days. I love Bend but had to move to AZ two yrs ago I miss it up there terribly. Its a great town and spread out nicely so it gives you that small town feel but it is pretty good sized. I loved the fact that you have trees, rivers lakes, mountians all right there, anytime you want to go do something its not far!
Yes there are some great brew pubs through out Oregon and a couple in Bend too
I couldn't tell you anything about the 4 yr colleges except you'd have live closer to them (unless you did the on-line thing mentioned above). But you could always drive back to Bend to visit your dad on breaks or weekends. Its a Beautiful drive.

[KarlaT2]

I don't live there, but there is an OSU campus there in Bend from what I've seen online.
Doesn't offer Biology as a major (minor only), but worth looking into.
Home | OSU Cascades Campus

[shredzegnar]

I hear they are also getting a degree in sustainability next year

[j.penningham]

My daughter has found it very hard to meet quality friends. Potheads are the norm in Bend.

[AAAplus]

Originally Posted by j.penningham

My daughter has found it very hard to meet quality friends. Potheads are the norm in Bend.

Yikes ! I thought oregon kept the liberal pot smokers west of the cascades ! oh well .....

without a four year university with a grad school, and a department of land use conservation that is throwing up roadblocks against future development (including the new juniper ridge university), it's going to be hard to find folks in their 30's who could be earning PhD's, that are drug free, and could be quality friends.

[kapetrich]

Originally Posted by AAAplus

Yikes ! I thought oregon kept the liberal pot smokers west of the cascades ! oh well .....

There are pot smokers in every corner of the world.

Alcohol, which is a legal, is a better substance to be bigoted against considering the facts.

Originally Posted by AAAplus

without a four year university with a grad school, and a department of land use conservation that is throwing up roadblocks against future development (including the new juniper ridge university), it's going to be hard to find folks in their 30's who could be earning PhD's, that are drug free, and could be quality friends.

Seriously? The things you claim do not match reality.

1) OSU Cascades offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees, albeit a small selection, on COCC's campus. Further, OSU Cascades just announced a 4 year university in the Old Mill District including the expansion of their grad department. This will be completed over the next few years. There goes that hypothesis both currently and in the future.

2) How is the department of land use conservation throwing up roadblocks against future development? Last I looked at the UGB there was PLENTY of undeveloped land ripe for the shovel - that is if developers had the capital. I can send you the current UGB if you would like.

3) The Juniper Ridge idea has/had nothing in its way but an economy that fell of the cliff. In fact, one could argue much more persuasively that the development was a pet project. The latter statement is subjective.

4) I am 3 years away from 30. So are both my roommates along with a handful of friends I've made who are in or on their way to 30. Guess what!?! Some of us even have PhD's, Masters and/or are working towards them. And by golly, we're all fairly drug free. Who woulda thunk!? (I admit the pool is small since the grad program is....small)

Moderator cut: rude and personal