Moving to Bend..buy or rent? (Newport, La Pine: apartment, lease, loan)

[delta07]

Originally Posted by skypros

6 moths ago I asked my Realtor about a home in Starwood, And would of put an offer in on it...... But there was a semi-high HOA fees there (if memory serves me... It was about $280 per 3 months) and for that $ you really didn't get much (other than have a heavy handed HOA).

All that being said, I would go check it out.... I think it is a nice area (South of Tumalo Rd around Gift Rd). The area to the north is Whispering Pines... and my realtor told me to STAY AWAY from that area it is known as Meth Mountain, Billy Goat Hill

We looked at a home in Starwood too and the HOA steered us away. It was expensive and there were just too many rules for us. The location is really nice though. I am not sure about the schools though. I would get confirmation about the school district, as I know Whispering Pines and Tumalo are both Redmond School District. I would be surprised if Starwood isn't.

We also looked at a home in Whispering Pines, but decided it a was a bit farther out of town that we wanted. I've heard the nickname "meth mountain" before as well. However, like DRW, there are nice homes in there. It's just a little more hodgepodge.

[Nightdiver13]

Originally Posted by delta07

We looked at a home in Starwood too and the HOA steered us away. It was expensive and there were just too many rules for us. The location is really nice though. I am not sure about the schools though. I would get confirmation about the school district, as I know Whispering Pines and Tumalo are both Redmond School District. I would be surprised if Starwood isn't.

We also looked at a home in Whispering Pines, but decided it a was a bit farther out of town that we wanted. I've heard the nickname "meth mountain" before as well. However, like DRW, there are nice homes in there. It's just a little more hodgepodge.

We also checkout out a couple homes in Starwood and Whispering Pines, and decided to skip them for the same reasons (the biggest being distance from Bend). One big difference between Whispering Pines and DRW is that DRW has a lot more trees to help block the views of your neighbors, while Whispering Pines is much more visible. However, those same trees block most of the views in DRW, whereas in WP, the views of the surroundings can be awesome, depending on where your lot is.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by Mkiaod

What can you tell me about the neighborhood off tumalo rd...I think it's called starwood?........

Starwood is interesting in a mystifying way. Some one took a farm, 40 acres? 60 acres? and put a bunch of 1/3 acre lots in the very middle and designated the rest as common ground. So, you basically have a housing tract surrounded by open space that I have never seen anyone use.

However, the houses are nice and they are priced lower than comparable houses nearby. The only complaint I've heard about the area is that they aren't very kid friendly. As far as I know, it is in Bend school system.

Right next to Starwood is Rancho El Sereno. I've got property in there that i am saving for my retirement place to live. I think it is just about the best place in Central Oregon, for those of us who can't afford Tumalo. Tumalo is best, but quite expensive.

There is almost never anything for sale in Rancho el Sereno. There are a few old mobiles left that sell for high prices if and when they sell (not often). I've talked to a lot of people who own in there and they are the same as me. If their place is rented out, they won't sell it becasue it is their retirement place.

My preference for elementary school is Tumalo. In the village of Laidlaw there are some small lots with OK houses that sell relatively reasonable. People pay higher prices to get into Tumalo school, so those little houses cost more than they would in another neighborhood. But it is nice, down by the river and with the good school. I like the Tumalo store, too.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Whispering Pines isn't all that criminal. The issue with Whispering Pines is that people appear to be moving there when they can finally move out of town and they think that as soon as they have an acre, they are out in the country and can turn their kids and dogs loose to do whatever they want to do and drive their dirt bikes wherever they want to go. It's really rude.

[skypros]

Originally Posted by skypros

All that being said, I would go check it out.... I think it is a nice area (South of Tumalo Rd around Gift Rd). The area to the north is Whispering Pines... and my realtor told me to STAY AWAY from that area it is known as Meth Mountain, Billy Goat Hill

*** What I meant to say is...... The area around GIFT RD is Whispering Pines... and my realtor told me to STAY AWAY from that area it is known as Meth Mountain, Billy Goat Hill ***

I don't know why everyone likes Tumalo...... I was new to the area, and had a satellite install there, and immediately fell in love with the place.

[Snownut]

Originally Posted by skypros

*** What I meant to say is...... The area around GIFT RD is Whispering Pines... and my realtor told me to STAY AWAY from that area it is known as Meth Mountain, Billy Goat Hill ***

I don't know why everyone likes Tumalo...... I was new to the area, and had a satellite install there, and immediately fell in love with the place.

Did you mean to say you "do know" why? Your statement is confusing?

[BendLocal]

On the rental side of the question - does anyone know what is happening today with 2+ bedroom homes for rent? A ton of applicants? Are landlords often raising rents at lease renewal?

[skypros]

Confusing..... Heck yea it is confusing (I tried to edit my original post, but I could not)

I like Tumalo.... Others like Tumalo..... and I am not sure why.

Originally Posted by Snownut

Did you mean to say you "do know" why? Your statement is confusing?

[redguard57]

Mine went up a by $10 last year. Not too bad. We'll see what happens this summer when my lease is up, but my prediction is they'll raise it by $20 at least. Rents for vacant apartments are being listed for $50 more than last year.

[Steve Pickering]

Right now it could be easier to buy than rent.