Living in Bend

Eight Reasons Why Everyone Wants to Live in Bend

1. ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION

   Whether you are interested in water sports, climbing, mountain biking or hiking, Bend has it all. Just want to explore? Check out the varied landscapes by hiking the Newberry Lava Caves, taking in the high desert mountains at Smith Rock State Park, or enjoying your favorite winter sport at Mt. Bachelor.

2. BEND HAS GREAT WEATHER

   The summers are warm during the day and cool at night and the winters have a crisp high desert spark to them. Puffy jackets and sunglasses are must-haves year round. Three hundred days of sunshine is almost unheard of but not for Bend! Most of our wet days come in the form of snow in winter.

3. LIGHT TRAFFIC

   According to recent U.S. Census Bureau statistics, the average Bend resident’s commute is still around 15 minutes. Thanks to roundabouts and seemingly endless road projects, even though the population in Bend is increasing, Bend traffic is still better than most other large towns.

4. LAID BACK SMALL TOWN ENVIRONMENT WITH FRIENDLY PEOPLE

   People living in Bend understand the balance in working hard and playing hard. It is not uncommon for people to bring their dogs to work and have powder days when Mt. Bachelor has had some good snow. There is a strong sense of community and residents of Bend are known to be extremely friendly and welcoming. Learn more about the Bend Pledge.

5. WE LOVE CRAFT BEER

   People living in Bend take their beer very seriously. With dozens of breweries, it’s no surprise that Bend has been named “Beer Town USA”. With all the wonderful choices, you are sure to find a brewery that fits your taste. If you need a little help selecting one, check out my faves here.

6. PARKS & OUTDOOR SPACES

   Bend has more than 80 local parks throughout the city, which make up 2,600 acres of outdoor space. From dog parks to playgrounds and everything in between, there is a park for everyone and in every part of town.

7. BEND IS A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE A FAMILY

   From the great school system, multitudes of cultural events and resources, outdoor activities, and low crime rates, Bend is a wonderful place to start and raise a family! Check out my blog post on having a baby in Bend.
   

8. TRAVEL WITH EASE

   If you’re looking to travel, the Redmond airport is just 15 minutes from Bend and offers direct flights to several cities on the West coast and Midwest. With short security lines, friendly staff and a full-service restaurant you’ll actually look forward to flying!

Bend Oregon Real Estate Market Trends

November 2018 Market Report | Bend, Oregon

The real estate market in Bend Oregon has been slowly shifting over the past several months. While larger markets like Portland and California have seen dramatic slow downs in property sales, Bend continues to see stability and slight growth regarding median price. However, the number of homes listed for sale and sold in November were down significantly from the same time last year.

If you’re a buyer in today’s market, you’re likely experiencing a bit of a breath of fresh air compared to buyers in 2017 or even early 2018. For the first time in several years, home buyers don’t have to make decisions on the spot, they have a stronger ability to negotiate on price and seller concessions, and they can be and are being pickier about the home they purchase. It’s not quite a buyer’s market, but it appears to be slowly trending that way. With that said, home buyers are still competing with each other when it comes to homes in lower price ranges where first time buyers and investors are all looking for that perfect property.

If you’re a home seller you’re likely wondering what exactly happened to multiple offers and buyers offering significantly over list price. Right now, sellers are getting fairly close to their asking price, but are likely making more concessions and repairs in order to appease buyers. They’re noticing their home sitting on the market a little longer. Sellers are still getting top dollar for their home when the home is priced correctly and marketed appropriately. It’s a changing market for sellers and one that might take a bit of time to digest.

Homes for Sale November 2018 | 488 Units
Down 7% compared to last year

Homes Sold November 2018 | 181 Units
Down 15% compared to last year

Median Sold Price November 2018| $444,000
Up 10% compared to last year

Months of Inventory November 2018 | 3.2 months
Up 8% compared to last year

Days on Market November 2018 | 116
Up 8% compared to last year

Sales Price as % of List Price | 95%
Down 1%

**all numbers based on single family residential properties under 1 acre in Bend.

Brewing a Baby in Bend - A Guide for Mammas-to-Be in Central Oregon

Anyone who lives in Bend, Oregon understands it’s a town that caters to an outdoor lifestyle. After a day of skiing or hiking, an afternoon enjoying local beer is often a common pastime. So when I discovered that I was expecting my first baby this summer, I thought my active lifestyle would change dramatically – I was so wrong! Fortunately, Bend is a wonderful place to stay active (and social) during your pregnancy, not to mention an amazing place to raise a family. Here are my top “Brewing a Baby in Bend” tips for Central Oregon moms to be:

You love trail running, but you’re worried about falling

Your doctor has likely warned you of the risks of falling, and trail running certainly has it's tripping hazards. But that doesn't mean you have to give up running if it still feels good. A few of my favorite local trails that offer a flatter run with few to no tripping hazards include the Tumalo Trail at Shevlin Park, Deschutes River Trail (my faves are Pioneer Park to Archie Briggs & Riverbend south to Old Mill), and the Larkspur Trail - This trail in NE Bend starts at Pilot Butte and takes you to Reed Market Rd. It's a mix of pavement and gravel, but is a nice run in a pinch if you're on the east side. 

Skiing or Snowboarding are your winter go-to

While the risk of falling when skiing or riding is pretty high, Central Oregon offers incredible opportunities for winter fun outside of downhill skiing on Mt. Bachelor. Snowshoeing is a great way to enjoy the snow and forest. From the Meisner Warming Hut to Todd Lake, there are plenty to keep you busy all winter long! Or pack up for a winter getaway to the Oregon Coast - Let's face it, sometimes it's nice to get away from the cold weather and relax by the waves. A weekend trip to the coast might be just what you need. Both Newport and Florence are a quick 3 1/2 hours away.

Climbing at 32 weeks. It was getting a little tough to see my foot holds below my belly, but still having fun! 

Smith Rock is Your Summer (and spring and fall) Home

I was in the same boat. We were actually climbing at Smith a week before I found out I was pregnant. I once again had a moment where I thought one of my favorite activities would be put on hold, but after doing a ton of research I found some amazing inspo from climbing mamas who successfully climbed throughout their pregnancies. I decided that I would continue until I couldn't. My amazing husband surprised me with a pregnancy climbing harness for Christmas and while it took some getting used to, it has kept me going. Climbing can be more than a physical workout – it’s a mental exercise as well and can certainly remind you to breathe (and laugh, especially as your belly grows) as you make your way up the wall.

Chillaxin at Crux is your favorite Summer Activity

I get it – there’s nothing like drinking a cold beer outside on a hot Central Oregon summer afternoon. While sipping a pilsner might be out of the question when you’re pregnant, you can still enjoy your favorite brewery sans alcohol. Many places offer delicious mocktails or fresh squeezed juices with soda water! My favorite fresh squeezed mocks in town come from McMenamins, Pine Tavern & Brown Owl. Or, instead of frequenting your favorite brewery, check out a local juice café like Mothers and sip on a delish smoothie or fresh squeezed juice. Finally, I’ve found that breweries and tasting rooms that don’t offer non-alcoholic options are usually ok with a mama to be bringing in a LaCroix or San Pellegrino (just be sure to ask first). Pro-tip: Those ALSO taste refreshing from a pint glass.

BONUS: When your friends consume too many beers, but you’ve been hydrating with water, you are the one without a headache the next morning. You’ll have plenty of energy to get up early for that trail run!

I was so lucky to have another friend who is also pregnant to run with. This was around 30 weeks for me and one of my last "runs", which was actually more of a run/walk. 

Staying active throughout your pregnancy is important to yours and your baby's health. We are so lucky that living in Central Oregon makes it easy to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout your pregnancy. Grab a friend and head out on a hike and grab a nice mocktail afterward as a reward for taking care of yourself! 

If you're looking to make a move to Central Oregon and need some help with relocation, let's hang out! I'd love to show you all the amazing places that make Bend a great place to raise a family. You can check out my active listings here as well! 

If you'd like to reach out about your experience or have additional tips for how to stay active while pregnant, I'd love to hear from you! Or, if you'd like more information about Calling Bend Oregon Home, I'm happy to be your resource:

**IMPORTANT: Every body and pregnancy is different. Please always consult your doctor or midwife before partaking in activities while pregnant (or not pregnant!). This post is simply my shared experience and personal recommendations. 

Central Oregon Farmer's Markets

Summer means more time outdoors hiking, biking and enjoying the Central Oregon sunshine. Summer in Bend also brings the opening of several farmers markets around town. Check out the list below to learn more:

Downtown Market

Wednesdays 2-6pm | Located in the Brooks Alley at Crows Feet Commons, the downtown Bend farmer's market features many local vendors such as Crooked River Bison Ranch, Fields Farm, Sparrow Bakery and more! 

Eastside Market

Thursdays 2-6pm | The new Bend Eastside farmer's market location is at the Whole Foods Market. Vendors are still being finalize, but you can expect to see local favorites like Juniper Jungle Farms and Rainshadow Organics. 

Northwest Crossing Market

Saturdays 10-1 | Get your weekend started off right with a trip to the Northwest Crossing Farmer's Market. Featuring live music, events and local vendors, this market is a must-do whether you're a local or you're just visiting Bend for the weekend. Sip your coffee or beer as you peruse pottery vendors, local artisans, and of course loads of produce and fresh food.