Water recreation near Bend (Prineville: home, movie theater, live in)

[foggnm]

I'm an RN interview for jobs around Bend (one in Bend, one in Prineville). I'm actually excited about the possibility of moving to a small town as I live in a mid-sized city now (~500k) and I feel I'm at the age where all I need is a grocery store, brewery, movie theater, and lots of outdoor recreation. I'd like to get away from the noise and problems of the city. I was wondering how close water activities are to that area? I know the river goes through Bend and looks like there are also several reservoirs. It seems the Hood river isn't too far away, either. I like to whitewater kayak. I also enjoy canoeing rivers. And having a nice lake to sit by is pleasant. Is there much of a kayaking/canoeing community in Bend? Thanks!

[delta07]

Originally Posted by foggnm

I'm an RN interview for jobs around Bend (one in Bend, one in Prineville). I'm actually excited about the possibility of moving to a small town as I live in a mid-sized city now (~500k) and I feel I'm at the age where all I need is a grocery store, brewery, movie theater, and lots of outdoor recreation. I'd like to get away from the noise and problems of the city. I was wondering how close water activities are to that area? I know the river goes through Bend and looks like there are also several reservoirs. It seems the Hood river isn't too far away, either. I like to whitewater kayak. I also enjoy canoeing rivers. And having a nice lake to sit by is pleasant. Is there much of a kayaking/canoeing community in Bend? Thanks!

I see your current location is Albuquerque. Compared with the desert southwest, you are going to be in water heaven here! The Cascade Lakes region is right outside our doorstep here in Bend. There is a ton of canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boating that can be done on many of these mountain lakes. My brother-in-law also done some kiteboarding on some of the reservoirs when the wind is blowing. Whitewater kayaking can be done on the Deschutes River and many other rivers in the region.

There is quite an outdoor water community here in Bend. Check out Kayak, Stand Up Paddleboard, Canoe, Raft and Float in Bend Oregon | Tumalo Creek Kayak & Canoe to see for yourself. I have several friends who are very active in trying to bring a whitewater park to Bend. Another big thing that is taking off here is paddleboarding.

You will definitely feel at home in Bend if you love water. My husband is an RN at the hospital and many of his coworkers are river rats.

I don't know as much about Prineville, in terms of the outdoor community, but you wouldn't be terribly far from the Cascades. It's a much quieter town overall though and more of a ranching community, I think.

[foggnm]

Awesome, glad to hear it. Thanks, for the advice. We do have some great runs in northern NM, and spectacular rivers in Colorado, but it is a bit of a drive from where I'm at. I'm looking forward to the possibility of nearby water and, more importantly, out of the noise of the city.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by foggnm

Awesome, glad to hear it. Thanks, for the advice. We do have some great runs in northern NM, and spectacular rivers in Colorado, but it is a bit of a drive from where I'm at. I'm looking forward to the possibility of nearby water and, more importantly, out of the noise of the city.

For sure! I grew up in Colorado and I know those rivers well. At one time my husband and I were considering relocating to NM, but the lack of water was a major concern for us. Compared with NM and even CO, the lakes here in Oregon can't be beat.