Overcrowded? Who is leaving and why? (Bend, Redmond: low crime, homes, college)

[mathlete]

City spokeswoman Anne Aurand confirmed that ICE personnel were in the location. She noted that the city of Bend is an official "Welcoming City," and in a resolution approved by the city council said "the city does not enforce federal immigration laws or detain people based on immigration status."

Try this on for size:

City spokeswoman Anne Aurand confirmed that IRS personnel were in the location. She noted that the city of Bend is an official "Welcoming City," and in a resolution approved by the city council said "the city does not enforce federal taxation laws or detain people based on tax compliance status."

[slowlanes]

Originally Posted by Hiruko

That didn't answer my questions, and I would remind you that Illinois is more politically progressive than Oregon. I'm just trying to get a better feel for the area.

With 200,000 folks in the county, a small crowd showing up to protest ICE (peacefully) is not representative of the general population.
Best to view this area as three primary towns, each very different, running from north to south.
Redmond is a mix of blue collar, retirement, largest latino population in the area, mix of left and right, probably leans more right.
Bend is a mix of the affluent, upper middle class and blue collar. So likely safe to say 2/3 lean left, 1/3 lean right.
La Pine is, well, let's just say the majority of it leans hard right.

Is it crowded? Yep, especially during summer, alarmingly so this year, jammed with both in and out of state visitors, most of who treat mask wearing with disdain. House prices have made their biggest quarterly jump ever here, local news stories on Californians showing up with checkbooks in hand, ready to move in now.

Conversely, show me somewhere with a decent hospital, good shopping, good eateries, local airport to the main hubs, and outstanding recreation opportunities that isn't crowded these days....we'll move there tommorrow.

Everywhere we've visited in the past decade around the west, same refrain ' too damn crowded."
8 billion people will do that to a rapidly shrinking rock.

[Thom52]

Originally Posted by slowlanes

Everywhere we've visited in the past decade around the west, same refrain ' too damn crowded."
8 billion people will do that to a rapidly shrinking rock.

That really is the bottom line summation of what is happening.

Well stated.

[NW Crow]

County to county migration flows.
https://flowsmapper.geo.census.gov/map.html?
Put in Deschutes County and outbound to see where folks are going. Lots of places in west and otherwise.

[mmhiker]

used to live in the area and work there. and now to me its a great place to visit. back than i thought it was a place to raise kids. now im not so sure. we are talking five year difference but i think

and im entioned this on a another thread. it feels like portland or california more and more. its growing fast.

[Atomicdoug]

Originally Posted by slowlanes

Conversely, show me somewhere with a decent hospital, good shopping, good eateries, local airport to the main hubs, and outstanding recreation opportunities that isn't crowded these days....we'll move there tommorrow.

Steamboat Springs?

[Sumerian_Summer]

Originally Posted by slowlanes

Conversely, show me somewhere with a decent hospital, good shopping, good eateries, local airport to the main hubs, and outstanding recreation opportunities that isn't crowded these days....we'll move there tommorrow.

How crowded is too crowded?

Steamboat Springs CO, Durango CO, Burlington VT, most of the "major cities" in Montana like Bozeman, Missoula, Kalispell (all smaller than Bend), smaller towns like Whitefish or Livingston -- Ashland OR, Asheville NC (it's getting up there in size), Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge TN....they all fit the attributes on your list.
Some of those places can get tourist crowds during certain times of the year.

Towns like Red Lodge MT and Pagosa Springs CO offer a few great eateries, recreation, and other ammenities despite their smaller size.

[pete98146]

Haven't read thru this entire thread but after spending last week visiting my family who all live in Bend I have some definite observations.


Bend has always been the playground for the wealthy. You go back many years to the develop of Sunriver in the late 60s and the paintbrush was put on the canvas. 50 years later, very little has changed with the exception of the upward tick of wealthy boomers retiring in Bend.


You almost have to feel sorry for those attempting to live in Bend who don't come from money. Hadn't looked at Bend real estate sites in a long time but my brother opened one up and I was amazed at 1) the costs of homes which are now on par with my home town of Seattle and 2) the number of homes that are pending sold.


Only ones leaving Bend are those that can no longer afford to live there. But they are being replaced quickly....really quickly by the wealthy retirees for those with nice salaries that can telecommute their jobs.


Sure the traffic was busy for the holidays, much more than normal but aside from that, Bend is quickly experiencing growing pains and with this many new folks moving in, will start to take on a different vibe. I'm sure the long time residents are grumbling as the old less expensive homes are soon bulldozed for new 700K homes city wide.


So yes, good ol Bend is now an interesting place going thru some definite changes!

[Coniferian]

Housing prices keep rising here in nearby Redmond, although the median price is about $125K lower than Bend. There are many new housing projects around town, mostly to the west. I have seen moving trucks in front of newly finished homes while there is still construction on either side. Other than 97 going through town, Redmond doesn't have a traffic problem, but that will change.

[blazenjames]

I don't see the appeal of Bend. It's freezing cold for 6 months of the year, rattlesnake infested and the predominate Juniper trees are ugly. Plus it's pretty remote with no decent airport for 180 miles in Portland.