Bend has changed.
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8/25/2021
I've lived in Bend for 10 years now. I'm originally from a poorer town in CA with the same population as Bend. Here are my pros and cons of living in Bend.
Pros:
- Bend is a beautiful and clean city compared to cities of similar size.
- There are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities during all four seasons consisting of hiking, skiing, biking trails, beer festivals, concerts, great pubs and restaurants, walking trails, etc.
- Bend is large enough it contains most stores, services, and amenities you'll need on daily basis.
- Bend's growth has increased job opportunities.
- Each section of the city provides local residents with unique stores, restaurants, etc. You rarely need to travel across town to purchase something.
- There are a variety of ages in Bend.
- It's a good place to raise a family from a statistical data standpoint.
- All four seasons are mild and close to equal in duration. There is plenty of sunshine during the winter.
Cons:
- A dramatic influx of people from S.F., L.A., Portland, and Seattle have changed Bend's culture, housing prices, political toleration, traffic, and interpersonal manners for the worse (in my opinion) as follows:
- Bend's culture changed from down-to-earth and pleasant to frequently
shallow, vain, obnoxious, and rude.
- Rent and housing prices have tripled.
- The once politically moderate atmosphere of Bend is now permeated
with an outspoken, self-righteous, and intolerant liberalism. I'm a political
moderate, yet the outspoken liberals in Bend have become overwhelming.
- The west coast urbanite culture has a significant influence on the youth.
Raising kids with ethical standards, integrity, and individualism in Bend is a
challenge.
- Bend is lacking in culture. Many Bendites young and old conform to a few modern identities and fashion (bourgeois, yuppies, hipsters, valley girls, frat guys, retirees). It's harder to meet real individuals. But, maybe that's modern culture in general at this point.
- You will need a decent career to survive financially here. Basic wages won't cut it.
- Bend has grown drastically and won't stop anytime soon.
Jack | Bend, OR