Outdoor paradise with a worrisome future.

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8/3/2021
I lived in central Oregon for 27 years and Bend is the hub for the whole region. I always described it as a city with a small town vibe. There is so much outdoor stuff to do year round and it’s a genuinely fun place to live. Lots of variety, beautiful setting and nice people.
However, there has been unfortunate changes recently. It’s grown incredibly fast and it has terrible traffic for being under 100,000 population. Homelessness has grown exponentially and cost of living is increasing at an alarming rate. I left the area a year before Covid hit and I don’t like going back anymore. There’s a LOT of value to this City, more than most in my experience, but it’s headed in a troubling direction. The changes aren’t inherent to the city itself and that’s how it retains good value, but regardless, there are large obstacles that are growing and could ruin a once near perfect city.
Max | Tigard, OR