LaPine, Bend, Prineville, etc (La Pine: for sale, real estate, crime)

[esselcue]

I have been looking to make my retirement home in Idaho (from the heat and dust and skin cancers of Arizona) but recently a friend has been begging me to consider the area around LaPine and Bend. I found a couple of very old threads here about LaPine and how awful the crime and meth is and I am wondering if this is factual or just a disgruntled person. I have retired from the Sheriff's Office here in AZ, I know about meth and crime, so it's hard for me to accept that the area around LaPine, etc is such a saturated mess of bad stuff, but perhaps it's true?

Then again, I have found housing prices, especially around LaPine, are extremely reasonable compared to Bend or even northern Idaho so I have to wonder why. I know about the weather and that does not concern me, I love the seasons and am a weird duck who really enjoys snow and winter, which is exactly why I have been looking at Idaho and now am considering this area of Oregon. My house in AZ is currently for sale and IF it ever sells I will have to make a decision quickly as to where I am going to head. Anyone got any unbiased insight for a 62-year-old retired lady who is not ready to live in an old folks home?

[Bendite]

My impressions of LaPine: A town stretched around a major north/south route (Hwy 97), so it is not particularly attractive passing through on the Hwy itself. Away from the road, there are homes, many on large lots, that vary in style and quality from run down old mobile homes to some pretty nice houses. There is a sense of community there, but not nearly what I get from other towns such as Prineville. There is something about LaPine that feels like the poor relative of other central Oregon towns. You already seem to know that they have more snow and the weather is colder in the winter than other towns in the area. Yes, there is a drug problem but not on every street and in every house. You can probably avoid the areas that have the heaviest problems with a little help from the local sheriff's office and a knowlegeable realtor.

[davefr]

Retired and 62.

Without knowing more about you, I'd really take another look at Bend. It's totally a buyer's market and there just seems more to do for someone that's retired.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by davefr

Retired and 62.

Without knowing more about you, I'd really take another look at Bend. It's totally a buyer's market and there just seems more to do for someone that's retired.

I agree. There is some evidence that the housing market may be starting to turn around and there could well be a spree of buying this summer. Bend is going to be the place to make a wealth-building investment in real estate.

[John Shaft]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

I agree. There is some evidence that the housing market may be starting to turn around and there could well be a spree of buying this summer. Bend is going to be the place to make a wealth-building investment in real estate.

There are...ahem, deals to be had in the Bend area. That happens when unemployment closes in on 20%. Prices are 50% off last year's prices and still dropping. Buy a house you want to live in. Buying houses with dollars in your eyes and the prospect of 30% appreciation is what got folks in this mess to begin with.

[BLAZER PROPHET]

It all depends on what you want. Me, I love LaPine. It's small, quiet, easy going... and drop dead beautiful. And, Bend is about 30 miles away if you need a mall...

[Bosco Richfield, Jr.]

My advice is to stay away from La Pine. IT's junky, creepy and unfriendly. Believe me. My girlfriend
and I had some bad experiences while stayin there.

[ak.nessa]

Prineville is nicer, lots of older friendly people, and probably very inexpensive to buy a place there now with the 25% unemployment!!!