Couple moving from Portland to Bend. Looking for help and suggestions (apartment complex, rental)

[Nickalus]

Hello everyone!

My girlfriend and I are looking to move to Bend in approximately 2-3 months and we have some questions we hoped people could help out with. As pretty much everyone, we are looking to take advantage of all of the amazing outdoors activities that Bend and the area has to offer.

We are just curious about what are good areas to live (we will be renting an apartment), and will not be bringing jobs from Portland with us.

We need advice on:

-Apartments
-Job opportunities (we know the job situation is not ideal...) hopefully in the social services field
-Good neighborhoods to live in
-Any other advice that you feel may be pertinent!


Thanks so much!

[oregonwoodsmoke]

There are no bad neighborhoods and you will probably end up where you find something that you can afford the rent. Vacancy rate is under one percent, so you will have difficulty finding a rental when you don't have jobs unless you have proof of substantial savings or a qualified cosigner.

I do know of one apartment complex that I would stay out of. You'll know it when you pull in because it looks scummy and there is usually a tweaker or two out in the parking lot taking their cars apart. That's the only one to avoid.

You might try putting in job applications before you move to see if you can have a job lined up. That will help you in the house search.

[Thom52]

You really need to drive/bike around and get a feel for the neighborhoods.

There are lots of good neighborhoods, but they definitely have a different feel for different people.


Bend is definitely NOT the place to jump into, figuring you will line up a job once you get there.


I am about to throw in the towel on a job search and admit defeat. I have a brand new house in Bend, but will have to stick with our original plan to just visit my sister, who lives in Bend, and be landlords until I can retire.... or until I win the lottery. haha.

I am extremely employable in the Seattle area, never having a break in income in over 30 years of working unstable high tech companies as a mechanical engineer, and having to scramble for jobs as companies went under or technology changed. I know Bend is not a mecca for high tech, by any means, but figured I could find something in my very wide field of expertise while looking around and building a house, before we had to switch it to a rental.
Not even a nibble on my resume. Zilch interest in months of looking, and I am very good at finding leads. Even jobs tailored to match, even when I stated I was willing to take a significant pay hit.

Be careful about jumping in and assuming you can find something.

Its an awesome place if you like an active lifestyle though. I am bummed I can only be a visitor for years to come.