Favorite part of Bend/Redmond (Portland, Newport: renting, home, movie theater)

[VirtualErik]

Ok locals and potential future locals, lets discuss our favorite part of Bend, and Redmond, mostly focused on Bend, but Redmond has awesome places to.

For me its most likely going to be the Old Mill district, the area is so laid back.. and usually busy but everything you need is there, the movie theater and restaurants and the river.

Pilots Butte is a strong second just because of the views on a nice clear day.

So post your favorite areas and why you like them so much!

[delta07]

Originally Posted by VirtualErik

Ok locals and potential future locals, lets discuss our favorite part of Bend, and Redmond, mostly focused on Bend, but Redmond has awesome places to.

For me its most likely going to be the Old Mill district, the area is so laid back.. and usually busy but everything you need is there, the movie theater and restaurants and the river.

Pilots Butte is a strong second just because of the views on a nice clear day.

So post your favorite areas and why you like them so much!

I voted other. My favorite part of Bend, in the city, is Galveston St. I love the restaurants and vibe of the area. I also love that it's independent, non-corporate, and small business oriented. However, I will say, that my true favorite part of Bend is the Cascade Lakes area. I love the natural beauty, easy access, and clean air and water.

[VirtualErik]

Originally Posted by delta07

I voted other. My favorite part of Bend, in the city, is Galveston St. I love the restaurants and vibe of the area. I also love that it's independent, non-corporate, and small business oriented. However, I will say, that my true favorite part of Bend is the Cascade Lakes area. I love the natural beauty, easy access, and clean air and water.

I haven't had a chance to fully explore many of the areas outside of Bend, the Cascade Lakes sound amazing, I do love water. I will have to check that area out... Any specific recommendations to that area? and pricing to get in? is it a park?

[BendLocal]

Easily the national forest areas and Bachelor. When I first moved here I enjoyed going into town but now its too crowded for my tastes and parking is a PITA.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by VirtualErik

I haven't had a chance to fully explore many of the areas outside of Bend, the Cascade Lakes sound amazing, I do love water. I will have to check that area out... Any specific recommendations to that area? and pricing to get in? is it a park?

Oh my gosh, you've been here since December and haven't been up to any of the lakes?!?! You MUST go up there! There are so many lakes to explore, trails to hike, and gorgeous scenery to take in. It's all National Forest, so many places are free or just require a recreation pass, which is $5/visit or $30 for the year. You can also go to one of the resort areas, like Elk Lake, and park for free at the lodge. Fall is the best time of the year up there too! Go for a drive and see the gorgeous mountains that are less than an hour away.

[Snownut]

Originally Posted by delta07

I voted other. My favorite part of Bend, in the city, is Galveston St. I love the restaurants and vibe of the area. I also love that it's independent, non-corporate, and small business oriented. However, I will say, that my true favorite part of Bend is the Cascade Lakes area. I love the natural beauty, easy access, and clean air and water.

delta I completely agree with your "favorite part" I would add the Newport St area, the river, the views of the Mountains that are just a short drive away.

It is our plan to find a small home somewhere walkable to that area.

As mentioned in the other thread it is what I think of as "qwirky" Bend...chickens in the yard a stones throw from a 5 star dining restaurant.. and a block away from Galveston or Newport are quiet residential streets.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by Snownut

delta I completely agree with your "favorite part" I would add the Newport St area, the river, the views of the Mountains that are just a short drive away.

It is our plan to find a small home somewhere walkable to that area.

As mentioned in the other thread it is what I think of as "qwirky" Bend...chickens in the yard a stones throw from a 5 star dining restaurant.. and a block away from Galveston or Newport are quiet residential streets.

Well the quiet part is not necessarily true. Several businesses have been cited repeatedly for noise violations & even resulted in one place closing it's doors. I think if you want to live in that area you have to be okay with live music & other party type sounds until at least midnight, especially on the weekends. Of course, that's a whole other discussion in and of its self. But it's a great part of town. I'm just glad I don't live right there because of it.

[Snownut]

Originally Posted by delta07

Well the quiet part is not necessarily true. Several businesses have been cited repeatedly for noise violations & even resulted in one place closing it's doors. I think if you want to live in that area you have to be okay with live music & other party type sounds until at least midnight, especially on the weekends. Of course, that's a whole other discussion in and of its self. But it's a great part of town. I'm just glad I don't live right there because of it.

Good point, I "hear" you on that Delta, I recall summer of 2012 when we were renting a place on the river off NW Riverfront St that noise of bands coming from the Galveston direction, though it was far enough not to bother us sitting outside or sleep.

As long as I am a few (3 or 4) blocks away I don't think it would be an issue for me? It would be part of the trade off of living close to places I could walk or bike to in a few minutes.

I know there have been several news stories this year about noise levels and curfews so I am sure it is an issue for some.

I still view it as mostly "quiet" residential a short distance from Galveston. I think areas near Newport Ave would be quieter than Galveston St? When the time is right I guess we will find out?

Everyplace has it's own sounds, it is very quiet where I live now but there is a loud, fast moving train less that 1/4 mile away that comes through around 3am every night. I never hear it anymore unless I happen to be awake, first week living here it would wake me.

Ironically there were times at the extremely isolated WV place that we sold earlier this year that the sounds of mice and squirrels running on the roof!, coyotes, cicadas, birds, (always loud whippoorwill's and wood peckers) right outside my window that would wake me. And that noise would often peak in the middle of the night, there were no sound regulations there. Have you ever tried to sleep 20' from whippoorwill's? Honestly I hope I never hear them again.

Certainly everyplace has it's pro and cons, comes down to lifestyle choice, for me after 43 of 47 years living in the country I am ready to live closer to food, services and entertainment.

And another wonderful thing about Bend is wilderness and open spaces are just a short drive away.

[VirtualErik]

Originally Posted by delta07

Oh my gosh, you've been here since December and haven't been up to any of the lakes?!?! You MUST go up there! There are so many lakes to explore, trails to hike, and gorgeous scenery to take in. It's all National Forest, so many places are free or just require a recreation pass, which is $5/visit or $30 for the year. You can also go to one of the resort areas, like Elk Lake, and park for free at the lodge. Fall is the best time of the year up there too! Go for a drive and see the gorgeous mountains that are less than an hour away.

I have been to Suttle Lake twice, once while snow was still on the ground, gorgeous area for sure.

[kapetrich]

I really like both Galveston and Newport too. Also, Tin Pan Alley with Lone Pine Coffee and the Tin Pan Theatre....plus, all our parks.

I'd agree with Delta and others. The Old Mill is absolutely beautiful setting. It's what 'Bend' is all about. Right on the river with mountain views all within a very well done redevelopment, but I'm not big on the chain stores down there. I very much lean toward Galveston/Newport with all their locally owned restaurants, bakeries, coffee roasters, stores and other businesses....and now that that little area near 10 Barrel/Baked/Brother Johns/etc. has the food pod.....it's almost too much

I also really like snownuts favorite portion of Bend just there near Ariana's, local butcher/produce, growler fill station alllll literally right next to a private community garden with chickens. That's very Oregon/Bend.

As for noise, just depends what you're use to. I live right near Chow off Newport. On the weekend they start their live music at 10am which at times can be annoying, but in reality it makes me feel like I'm living in a vibrant area. The city and the residence between Portland and just past Galveston seem to be going through some growing pains with noise ordinance. The biggest issues is residence who moved to this area 20 years ago (or have lived there for-ev-er) and do not like how 'urban' it is turning with live music, pedestrians and cars. Personally, though, if I lived outside of town or even farther off either of these roads I'd feel too isolated. I actually really like that people are constantly parking near my house/walking by it. Any way about it, the city seems to have sorted it out with residence for the time being.....

As for parking downtown, etc....I'd agree, but only because I'm use to Bend now. It's like when I get frustrated with our traffic here, aka I'm waiting behind 4 cars at a stop sign during rush hour. In all reality the parking is NEVER bad and you can always find a spot somewhere. I went downtown for dinner this Friday night forgetting it was a First Friday. Found a spot on my 2nd lap and that's one of the busiest times down there. That's rare, normally I find a spot pretty much right away unless there's a special event.