In 2012, Remains "Poverty with a view"
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9/26/2012
Having lived here one year, moved from the Midwest, and having lived in several states, I agree with those readers who term Bend "poverty with a view". Beautiful town, high desert with mountains half an hour away. Boringly beautiful.You can count on sunshine almost every day. Doesn't warm up til July, summer consists of July through September, if you are lucky.
The town is divided into the retirees and wealthy, usually those who tele-commute to work in other states, and those fighting to keep food on the table. You might have a chance if you are in the medical profession or have the money to start a restaurant.
Bend is the first place I've encountered 'age-ism' when applying for jobs. There are literally hundreds of people lining up for part time, no benefits jobs. Almost everything is part time here,IF you can get it. Unemployment and underemployment rampant here. This is a very youth and fitness oriented town. Anyone over 45 is going to have trouble landing work. There are bicyclists and runners everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE, a dream come true to the eco/green/fitness freaks in their 20s and 30s. Bend's traffic is awful, roundabouts full of bicyclists everywhere, very poorly planned. The amount of runners and bicyclists actually make driving hazardous and there are many unfortunate collisions with autos every year.
There is a small airport in Redmond, about 18 miles north of here, otherwise the closest major airport is in Portland, about 2.5 to 3 hrs north, across mountain passes. Forget it in the winter. You are stuck unless you can pay the extra to puddle jump from Redmond.
Bend is an oasis in the high desert of Central Oregon, contributing to the lack of jobs, there are few surrounding towns of any size that offer employment.
For the wealthy and well off retirees, or possibly those in the medical field, professional athletes or idealistic young fitness freaks, Bend is a wonderland. For the average person, its a dead end. Its a very transient town, with people constantly moving in and moving out. I can't wait to get out of here. Like living in a campground only with no money. Fortunately my partner is one of the well off retirees and pays the bills because if I were trying to survive on my own out here, I'd be living out of my car.
Celeste | Bend, OR