What Is Bends Big Secret?

[cufizz]

Hi,

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to Oregon from Northern California in the next few years and looking at Bend and Southern Oregon as possible sites. We are wondering how active is the community theatre as well as improv in both places. How is the cultural life?

After seeing my step kids spend most of their time playing video games, I impressed upon my husband that we need to relocate to a place where outdoor activities abound. This is more for the next generation - grandkids.

I first visited Portland two years ago during summer and I like the place, although, I am not keen on living in another big city.

Also, based on the data I have researched, there is a very small Asian community in Bend. Is this true?

Your inputs would be most appreciated.

cufizz

[Bendlover]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Been lurking here for awhile, but I thought I would finally post. Bend has a large African American population and is a very open community. It even has a number of hip hop clubs and youy family should have no trouble adjusting.

What hip hop clubs?? Please tell me! Very Open community... Large population??? Are you kidding?

[Stiigander]

Originally Posted by A2thenelsewhere

I know Bend has its "Eastside problems" but they usually stay over there.

Typical "Westsider".

Statistics do not back up your comments. Crime statistics show a fairly equal disbursement of crime. The westside tends to have more 'petty drug crimes' and minor property crimes. (car break ins, purse stolen off the front seat, that kinda stuff)

There used to be quite a divide between the two sides, but now it seems more a matter of 'snootiness' that separates the two.

My affordable 3200 square feet on 1/2 acre on the Eastside would equal a 1000 sqft 'bungalow' on a 5000 square foot lot on the Westside.

It really is a matter of what you do in your spare time. I don't hang around my house and walk here and there, I drive to the mountains or lakes, so the nearness of 'quaint little shops, trendy stores and hip happenings' mean little to me.

Research! Research! Research!

[Stiigander]

Originally Posted by Pablo

Bend has a large African American population and is a very open community.

Um... try NOT!
Bend is, unfortunately, pretty 'pale' on the diversity scale.

[toulousaine]

To be serious, unfortunately Bend (as well as many towns in Oregon) do not have much racial diversity. I remember when we moved to Oregon ( I was 8) from So Cal, I was wondering why everyone was so white? (I am white, but never gave a thought to race since i was around all colors of people until then).
Bend used to be a small redneck cowboy town/ski destination (LOL) but now it is very "trendy" (but you still have the rednecks mixed in). Redmond is less desireable for the reasons another poster relayed.
Bend is a wonderful place to visit, but much too cold and expensive for me. It's fun to go for a weekend and eat at some great restaurants and take in the sights.
And the 300 plus day of sunshine a year is what we were told too...but it's not true.

[Lintee]

My husband and I moved to Bend from the Cincinnati area about 1-1/2 yrs ago. We love it here, but it is quite expensive. Most of the newcomers are from California. I have seen probably 5 African American's the entire time I have been here. This is a very friendly town... service people in restaurants, stores, grocery stores - everyone is very helpful and friendly. It is colder in the winter than I had expected, but pretty sunny. You can see the snow-covered mountains from the city. The downtown is very quaint with botiques, nice restaurants, outside markets in the summer - connected to Drake Park with the scenic Deschutes River running thru it. Lots of walking and biking paths. Snowmobiling/skiing 1/2 hr away.
I live on the NE side of Bend - The West side is a LOT more expensive. I have a problem with the very small sized lots that they are building new houses on. If you want a new house 2000 sf with decent size lot on the west side it would be 1 mil +. Average newer size 1600 sf house in rest of Bend is about $350,000. Redmond does have more "rednecks" and just doesn't have the "character" of Bend... houses are a little less in Redmond. They have a good hospital with great drs/dentists. They do need more shopping and restaurants. My husband misses sports.... there is a big community college here - no 4-yr college. The closest big city is Portland which is a 3-hr drive over the mountains, which can be tricky in the winter. The job market can be tricky also - lots of home construction jobs, but not too much else. A lot of people complain that Bend is getting too big and traffic is horrible, but coming from a bigger city like Cincinnati I just laugh.... in rush hour it may take you 3 minutes longer to get home!

[Shnanigan]

My family & I currently live on the Oregon Coast. My family is trying to talk me into entertaining the idea of moving to Bend. I am a Supervisor at a large in-bound call center and given my experience I would prefer to stay with that industry. I heard a rumor of an AOL call center in Bend. Can anyone confirm if there are any call centers in the Bend or Redmond areas? I would appreciate it if someone could share the call centers, their names, and possibly if you are aware if they are hiring management staff. I will continue to monitor this forum for any new postings.

[sunshine48]

We've lived here since 1999 and I can tell you that Bend primarily White. The next predominant skin color is Brown, which is continually growing. I bet I've only seen 10 Blacks here in nearly 8 years.

If this is important to you............check it out more thoroughly. Bend is not very diverse concerning this matter.

I've not heard anyone in Bend, even talk about this.

Best of luck.

[goplay]

Redmond has services but not much class. Downtown is nice looking but businesses change out often. Traffic is a nightmare...although they are planning a HWY 97 reroute around town. Bend is classier but expensive. I think its a llittle too ritzy for simple me. If you like golfing, skiing, biking and spending lots of money, Bend is great. If you want affordable, go somewhere else. All in all, I think Bend is nice to visit on a vacation but living here (if you are just working class) stinks because you can't afford to be a homeowner AND do the fun things. Also, winter is long and when summer finally gets here it is full of smoke and dust.