Bend, Oregon is a city located in Central Oregon near the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It is known for its stunning views, world-class outdoor recreation opportunities, and vibrant downtown culture. Bend is an ideal destination for anyone looking to explore all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. From skiing and snowboarding on Mt. Bachelor to hiking and camping in the nearby Deschutes River Canyon, Bend has plenty of activities for all types of travelers. The city also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year including the Bite of Bend and Bend Oktoberfest which are great ways to experience local culture and cuisine.
Reviews of Bend, OR are overwhelmingly positive with visitors often noting its unique combination of natural beauty and vibrant downtown atmosphere. People have praised the city’s exceptional dining scene ranging from casual eateries to upscale restaurants as well as its many outdoor activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and golfing. With numerous accommodations ranging from camping sites to luxury resorts, Bend is sure to have something for everyone who visits this incredible part of Oregon.
based on 100 ReviewsGet to know Bend with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Bend
Only for the rich - 5/16/2018
It isn't worth it. Bend isn't that special. The weather is so-so, the traffic is terrible, medical services are overstrapped, forget about a dentist, and housing is SO overpriced, especially relative to income. Most people I know spend 60-70% of their income on housing.
If you can make 6 figures, you may be able to afford to live here. If you don't, you better be prepared to scrimp and save just to afford to live here month to month.
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'Resort Community." "Grab Your Wallet." - 5/8/2018
The natives of Oregon tell me that Bend 50 years ago was a scrappy logging town. No, disrespect to loggers! Here's my general impressions. Take Ashland, add a dose of California, mix in the locals, sprinkle in the "Aspen" set, and poof, Bend! Here's the highlights. Craft beer, beautiful Summers, Mount Batchelor skiing, hiking, Deschute's River rafting, and Mountain biking. That's it! I'm not kidding. Bend took a major financial hit in the 2007 downturn. Tourism is the major attraction. The major employer here is the hospital. Period. Yes, people hang out here and chill. Some people spend the majority of their time sipping craft beers throughout the entire day. I lived in the Southwest for many years, we called those people, lushes. Housing is off the charts. San Francisco types have relocated here with their bags of money and have driven the prices into the stratosphere! Its not uncommon to see general real estate listings starting in the $600K range and topping
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over crowded lack of health care - 4/29/2018
If you need a doctor and you have insurance it's hard to find one. It's unbelievable. I am from SF. I lived in LA for 7 years and loved it. Living here is very Vanilla. It's a little sad that there is no culture. There is no shopping either and no restaurants. Like none. If I had a few dollars I would open a restaurant/lounge, classy tappas style and I would open a hospital. There is only one and it's a monopoly. There aren't specialist here either, so that is kind of scary. I am here only temporary can't find a job in any area that pays more than 11 an hour. I made 20 an hour when I was 20 years old 20 years
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Poverty with a view - 2/23/2018
I've lived here 10 years. In 2008 when I moved here a 2 bedroom apartment was 595. That same apartment is now 1,400 dollars. The cost of living is through the roof and housing is hard to come by. Wait lists on apartments are up to 3 YEARS. While there are jobs, keep in mind most pay 11-13 dollars an hour and when you are paying over a thousand for a studio apartment you simple can't make it. This place is becoming Aspen. Grocery, Rent, Utilities in winter are all costly. The housing market and rental companies require large if not massive deposits to move in and require you make 3 times the rent. So keep in mind renting a 2 bedroom apartment runs you 2,700 dollars you would have to make over 7 grand to qualify. Deposits on most places are 1,200 and up. It is cold in winter with ice and snow and a lot of the roads away from downtown are pot hole messes. The health care is poor as is the hospital and is over full and you will be sent away quickly. Also, if you do not have health
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live@ bend - 1/22/2018
I have been to bend many times and there is always something to entertain everyone! Every year my family goes there at least twice. Over 1,000 people will float the river. Hundreds to thousands of people live at Bend. They have hospitals with A ratings and just about everyone is healthy!
P.S. get a home... a Bend
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live@ bend - 1/22/2018
I have been to bend many times and there is always something to entertain everyone! Every year my family goes there at least twice. Over 1,000 people will float the river. Hundreds to thousands of people live at Bend. They have hospitals with A ratings and just about everyone is healthy!
P.S. get a home... a Bend
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live@ bend - 1/22/2018
I have been to bend many times and there is always something to entertain everyone! Every year my family goes there at least twice. Over 1,000 people will float the river. Hundreds to thousands of people live at Bend. They have hospitals with A ratings and just about everyone is healthy!
P.S. get a home... a Bend
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Can't Wait to Leave This Place - 12/23/2017
I've been here in New SoCal for a little over a year, and I'm seriously counting every day till I can leave. I've traveled all over the country and lived in quite a few places on both East and West coasts, and this town has the most obnoxious people I've ever encountered. It's the essence of white entitlement, or what happens when you let too many former frat boys and girls and jocks spend daddy's money on a McMansion. If you have an ounce of creativity, sensitivity, spiritual inclination, heart or soul, you will be out of place here. It's mainstream, conservative, uptight, bitchy, and completely lacking in community. People are rude and look right through you if you don't walk around looking like you just came from the ski lodge or the gym. It's like living in the Aryan REI catalog. They're rich, snotty, and arrogant, and have nothing better to do with their lives than drink beer, smoke weed, and flip houses. I've been trying for 15 months to find even one restaurant with good food
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2017-2018 Update on Living in Bend Oregon - 12/1/2017
Aloha Bend Lurkers, I like to update my post every so often for those of you looking for the truth about Bend Oregon...My wife and I moved here 7 years ago with our 3 kids (now teenage adults). We're from Orange County California, like 80% of Bend we all came here for the community and the beauty. Bend does not disappoint, WE have a great community, so if you're a hater, please don't even bother considering Bend. Bend is a place where your neighbors truly are your neighbors, we say hi, we help each other out on bad snow days and we like to have fun both indoors and outdoors. If you like the outdoors, we have epic amazing skiing, trails for hiking or running, and lots of great places to eat or drink beer...Then Bend is your Mecca! We have great schools as well as stores for shopping...We have all the usual suspects for groceries, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Market of Choice Fred Meyers etc...The only bent I have on Bend is if you need your city fix Portland is 3 hours a way. Oh,
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