Bend (Tumalo) vs. Medford / Ashland for acreage / rural living (Redmond: attorney, houses)

[gray horse]

I've been looking in the Medford area for irrigated acreage, to keep a few horses on. EFU (exclusive farm use) land for tax purposes.

I work from home, just need internet. And an airport to fly to the Bay Area for business.

Houses in the Medford area are so old and not exciting, it seems as though there are some better values in Bend.

I want to be close into town so I can get a nice lunch on occasion, and have some coffee spots. I enjoy farmer's markets, antique shopping, but am mostly a home body.

I know they both vary on weather.

Any input? Bend vs. Medford / Ashland?

Thanks!

[Nell Plotts]

Horses do better in the Bend/Redmond area but water rights can be an issue. If you go that route hire an attorney who specializes in that field so that you know what you are (or aren't) getting. Just because a stream runs through or along your property does not mean that you can water your stock with that water.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

For a start, Tumalo is a heck of a lot more expensive than Medford, if that happens to matter to you.

Tumalo, if you can afford irrigated pasture, is ideal for horses. As is Sisters, if you can afford the irrigated pasture.

There are some really nice horse farms on the O'Neal Highway (between Redmond and Prineville). Those are less expensive by the acre, but fairly large acreages.

There is some nice horse property around the outskirts of Redmond, a little less expensive.

If you don't have to have pasture, Crooked River Ranch is the premier pet and riding horse area of Central Oregon. Not so many show horses, but lots and lots of riding horses, and lots of people out riding. BLM and National Grasslands available to ride on.

The Central Oregon area is loaded with horse camps, where you can trailer in, camp and ride over very lovely territory.

I don't know about Ashland/ Medford for horses, but I have had horses in the Willamette and the rain causes some issues that take some extra care and effort.