Bend info / details please ? (Portland, Salem: crime, houses, job market)

[OUSOONER]

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for your responses.
We are in our early 30's and currently live in Tulsa, Oklahoma - My wife will complete Medical school in about a year, an we are getting ready to start a faimly. We love the outdoors, and there is just not a lot to do here. I know the job market is rough there, but It seems like doctors are still in demand. We are strongly considering Bend for severl reasons, but I would love some imput from some locals.
1. Is Bend a good place to raise a faimly? (I've heard mixed reviews of schools, ect.)
2. Is there really this "ANTI - RELOCATION" sentiment for any newcomers to Bend, or is this just toward Californians? We want to feel welcomed and become a part of a community, and some of the attitudes on posts I have read seem like this doesn't happen.
3. Do you think the economy there will become stable and slowly recover, or has it been permanatly damaged by people trying to overbuild? I like the fact that housing is more realistic and affordable now, but I don't like some of the things I have read about crime and tons of empty houses everywhere. We just want to be a part of a "normal" mid size community with lots of outdoor beauty and activites to enjoy. We don't really want to jump onto the Titanic.

We are planning a trip soon, thanks for your imput.

[delta07]

Have you tried using the search function yet? There is a wealth of knowledge already on the board about Bend, much of which would answer a lot of your questions. I'll go ahead and give you my perspective though.

Originally Posted by OUSOONER

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for your responses.
We are in our early 30's and currently live in Tulsa, Oklahoma - My wife will complete Medical school in about a year, an we are getting ready to start a faimly. We love the outdoors, and there is just not a lot to do here. I know the job market is rough there, but It seems like doctors are still in demand. We are strongly considering Bend for severl reasons, but I would love some imput from some locals.
1. Is Bend a good place to raise a faimly? (I've heard mixed reviews of schools, ect.) Bend is an excellent place to raise a family, but so are many other places. It helps to know what you consider important to your family. If you like the outdoors and the opportunities to show your children nature one on one, Bend is a great place for that. Of course, we do have some things besides the outdoors that are kid friendly, but not as much as a bigger city would. Our children's museum sadly closed their doors last month due to funding issues.
2. Is there really this "ANTI - RELOCATION" sentiment for any newcomers to Bend, or is this just toward Californians? We want to feel welcomed and become a part of a community, and some of the attitudes on posts I have read seem like this doesn't happen.Bend is actually very welcoming to newcomers. Most people that live in Bend these days did not grow up here. It's very rare to meet a Bend "native." I don't think you will feel any resentment or otherwise from the locals.
3. Do you think the economy there will become stable and slowly recover, or has it been permanatly damaged by people trying to overbuild?It's difficult to say, but I'm sure it will recover slowly as Bend is a desirable place to live. It can't support a mass influx of people like it did a few years ago, but healthcare is one place where there are still jobs. My husband is a nurse and he got a job here without issue. I doubt that will change, especially if you are good at what you do. I like the fact that housing is more realistic and affordable now, but I don't like some of the things I have read about crime and tons of empty houses everywhere. We just want to be a part of a "normal" mid size community with lots of outdoor beauty and activites to enjoy. We don't really want to jump onto the Titanic.

We are planning a trip soon, thanks for your imput.

[Silverfall]

Bend isn't the Titanic. Is a nice community. Yes there was tons of overbuilding, and yes many families were hard hit by the unemployment there.

The issue with Bend's economy is that there is nothing around it. If you live in Salem, you can work in Corvallis or Portland, etc. In theory, you can locate work elsewhere. Bend isn't like that. It's a small city located in central Oregon with a few small cities nearby. It will take a while for things to straighten out in Bend, economically speaking.

Oregon schools in general are dismal compared to other parts of the country. When you look at state rankings Oregon tends to be in the 35-40ish range for overall school systems. Oregon does not fund it's schools well and has not since 1991 when Measure 5 passed. You just need to know that your kids will get an average education here.

Many Bendites are relocaters. I think you'll be in the norm with not being from there.

I have a friend that just moved to Bend almost two years ago now. She loves it there. She is generally pleased with the schools there, but she is also a really involved parent.

Bend is a really nice city. It's too dry for me, but I like visiting there.

[skypros]

The anti-Californians is over rated!!!
The only problem that I ever see is when driving.... and we all know how Californians drive (btw washingTOON drivers are the worst!)

so there really isn't any anti-relocation here as most of the population has located here from somewhere else.

This is a beautiful place... yes it will rebound.... when who knows..... But it is nice that they are working on the community by repairing the streets and Infrastructure (as $$$ allow)

[OUSOONER]

What about Private schools? Are there any there that would offer a better Education? Does anyone have some imput on the crime? I have read on some posts that people have been robbed at knifepoint in the middle of the day outside of restaurants, ect..? thanks for the info...

[Silverfall]

I have three friends in Bend and none of them use private schools so I don't know about that. It's not like you can't get a good school here. I mean the Lake Oswego schools make the top public schools in the nation list. It's just generally speaking, we are very average here. The Oregon Department of Education has school report cards for each school.

If you are concerned about crime I would call the Bend police department. They will give you the scoop on crime and areas there.

[delta07]

As a substitute teacher for the Bend-LaPine SD, I would say the schools here are pretty good compared to where I taught in CO. Just because schools don't receive funding, doesn't mean they are bad. Like others have said, in general Oregon is average, but individual schools and districts fare better than others. There are private schools here, and I have a friend who sends her son to one, but I don't know if they are "better" than the public schools. I would make sure to include a visit to several schools here if that's a concern of yours.

In terms of crime, I wouldn't worry. Yes, there is some crime, but reports of being robbed at knifepoint are pretty rare. Bend is a very safe community. I often don't lock my doors at night, forget to roll up my windows in my car, etc. and I've never had a problem. Of course, with the current economic situation, I think there has been an increase in petty theft, robbery, but it hasn't been violent that I'm aware of. I agree that if you're concerned about this, you should contact the local police department. The crime isn't going to be anything compared to a big city like Tulsa though.

[Fiddlehead]

OUSooner,

I think you would like it, and if you meet folks halfway, they will probably like you. I don't know of many Oklahomans coming to Oregon snatching up properties or otherwise creating stigma for you. Most people in Bend are from elsewhere, usually California, so I think having your family there would add diversity. That does not change that it is a tough time in Oregon, but you know that. The outdoors in Bend, as in most of Oregon, is fantastic. Much cooler climate than where you're from though.

[OUSOONER]

Thanks for the responses everyone -we look forward to visiting soon.

[NDSooner]

Bend is a utopia- Crime is minimal and there is no anti-newcomer feeling- Since the Hospital here is close to if not the number one provider for jobs in Central Oregon you and your family will be just fine.

If your from Tulsa the downsides are 1) J.J. Cale is not from here and 2) They will play the USC games rather then the Sooners games...

Go Sooners!