Young family in Bend? (Portland, Redmond: real estate, mobile home, job market) - Oregon (OR) -Deschutes County - City-Data Forum

kayakera · 02-12-2008, 12:09 PM

Hi There!

So, I need help deciding where my family should move. I am 25, my husband is 33 and we have a 2 year old son. We currently live in Western NC, where we love to whitewater kayak, hike, mountain bike, and snowboard. The problem is that I've lived here all of my adult life, and I'm ready to try something new. I want an outdoorsy town that offers all of the above activities, but also has restaurants, shopping, good schools, friendly people, young families. The town we live in now has about 1000 residents. It's WAY too small for my taste. I want a bigger town, but not huge like Portland.
My husband has family in Bend, and we are going to visit sometime soon. I am curious, though. What can I expect? And does Bend sound like what I am looking for? If not, what are your suggestions? We were also thinking Missoula, MO. but I'm afraid it might be too cold. Thanks!

PNW-type-gal · 02-12-2008, 12:41 PM

Since you are visiting anyway, you'll have a chance to see for yourself. The biggest problem in Bend is finding jobs that pay wages comparable to what your housing will cost. I'm not familiar with North Carolina, but there is usually some sticker shock on housing prices for people coming here from smaller areas in the south.

Bendite · 02-12-2008, 02:21 PM

Yes, Bend offers all of those activities that you list, but as PNW says, the job market is tight and housing is likely to be higher than you are used to seeing. If you are in a small town now, Bend's 75,000 population might seem really big. You might want to also consider some of the smaller towns in Central Oregon that will be less expensive than Bend such as Redmond and Prineville. It's good that you have a chance to visit before deciding - enjoy your trip to Oregon!

PNWhike · 02-12-2008, 02:50 PM

Bend is NOT a big city. It is NOT diverse. It is becoming LESS diverse as time goes by (wealthier,whiter); although some like that. It is a great place if you love skiing, hiking, rockclimbing, et.al. If you come visit Bend you might want to visit Palm Springs California because that is what it is destined to become. All around Deschutes county on the fringes of Bend are proposed yuppie subdivisions. It is a beautiful place. However if you like a big city you are in for a big disappointment. Bend is a safe place and would be good to raise a family. Good luck with your move.

windsurfingiskewl · 02-12-2008, 03:20 PM

Coming from western NC, an enviornmental negative might be the lack of deciduous trees and green grass. I've never been to Bend, but it is a high desert climate.

Although it does look like a nice place. I'm considering a move there. I work in carpentry/construction/decorative contracting which seems to be booming there still I hope..

kayakera · 02-13-2008, 08:04 AM

Thanks to everyone for the replies! Lots of helpful information!

PNWhike: We're definitely not looking for a big city, but any place with more than 3 restaurants would be big to us. We live in a town of 1000, and the closest place with a population over 40,000 is Asheville, which is 1.5 hours away. I don't mind living without conveniences, but I want to meet other young parents. There are almost none here.

Bendite and PNW-type-gal: Thanks for info on the housing. I was looking at some real estate sites, and it looks like you can get a nice house for around $175,000 right outside of Bend. Is that realistic? If so, that's right on par with housing here.

windsurfing: My husband is also into carpentry and construction, so I'm hoping that he will find a good job out there. I currently manage a whitewater kayaking/rafting company, but I doubt there are many of those around Bend!

PNW-type-gal · 02-13-2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakera

Bendite and PNW-type-gal: Thanks for info on the housing. I was looking at some real estate sites, and it looks like you can get a nice house for around $175,000 right outside of Bend. Is that realistic? If so, that's right on par with housing here.

windsurfing: My husband is also into carpentry and construction, so I'm hoping that he will find a good job out there. I currently manage a whitewater kayaking/rafting company, but I doubt there are many of those around Bend!

There are a ton of rafting places - it's very popular to raft the Deschutes, and there are also a lot of lakes in the Cascades that people kayak. Bend has a weekly paper called The Source which covers a lot of the outdoor sports.

I think you might have to really hunt the outskirts for a $175,000 house, but who knows, by next year prices might have dropped that much. Prices in town are not quite double that.

dachmom · 02-13-2008, 09:24 AM

Actually, there is a river rafting company called Sun Country Tours (Sun Country Tours: Central Oregon Rafting Trips - Enjoy White Water Rafting in Oregon near Bend, Sunriver & Sisters) and it looks like they are hiring. There are probably others in Bend too, but this is the only one I know of.

kayakera · 02-13-2008, 11:12 AM

dachmom,

Thanks so much for the info! I'll check it out.

Bendite · 02-14-2008, 06:35 PM

Construction jobs are not good right now as the building boom has collapsed. There are jobs, but they are getting hard to find and I know some people who have lost their construction jobs and are now doing whatever they can to bring some money in. Much of the construction now is commercial rather than housing, so the right experience might still be marketable. There are some cabinet makers in the area that sometimes advertise for woodworking people. Water sports are big here, so that's a plus for you!

I would bet that a home selling for $175,000 is a mobile home.