Bend is a secluded town ruled by brilliant outdoors beauty and a love for fine breweries. The atmosphere fails to compare to any suburban sprawl or urban epicenter, but rather follows a culture of its own making, with neighborhoods surrounded by protected forests and a nightlife that thrives on local, independent music and local, independent brewers. Living here will open up your eyes, your ears, your taste buds, and your mind.
Transportation
Bend is a secluded town ruled by brilliant outdoors beauty and a love for fine breweries. The atmosphere fails to compare to any suburban sprawl or urban epicenter, but rather follows a culture of its own making, with neighborhoods surrounded by protected forests and a nightlife that thrives on local, independent music and local, independent brewers. Living here will open up your eyes, your ears, your taste buds, and your mind.
Transportation. Public transportation is not the best option in this city. Taking a bus two miles down the road can eat up an hour of your time. Plus, extreme weather conditions make having a car a necessity for stocking up on emergency sweaters, umbrellas, and other protections from the cold and rainy seasons. However, once you get your car, traffic will be a breeze, and weekend excursions into the nearby mountains will make the car payments well worth the effort.
Microclimates. The climate around Bend is very finicky. You may be drinking coffee in a light snowfall on the southwest end of town, then have to shed layers in the springtime-sunshine weather of the northeast end of town. And, travelling from the sunny north side to the cool, shady south side will make your buns freeze off with dramatic changes in temperature. So, watch the weatherman with a good dose of skepticism and always keep extra jackets in the car for these isolated changes in climate.
Rental Homes. Renting a house is one of your better options. Vacancies are common and many landlords actively seek steady, reliable tenants. Therefore, landlords are quick to please, offering low rental rates and higher quality housing for trustworthy renters.
Downtown. A Bar & Grill on every corner, plus pubs, breweries, art galleries, and eats.
Old Bend. A walkable neighborhood through bakeries, taco stands, riverside trails, and a character of pure Bend culture.
Orchard. An area with tons to do within walking distance, including numerous parks that are part of the Deschutes National Forest, riverside strolls, local brewers, fine dining and fast food, as well as the Art Impressions Gallery.
River West. Area includes public parks, authentic local diners, breweries, and neighborhood cafe's with the aroma of roasted coffee.
Summit West. A neighborhood on the summit, looking down on city views and neighborhood parks.
Century West. An undiscovered area with its own neighborhood brewery, golf course, sports complex, delicatessen, and coffee house.
Southern Crossing. Where the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory lives, this neighborhood also includes a brewery (of course), a few parks along the river, a movie theater, an art culture, and shopping at the Old Mill.
Southwest Bend. A neighborhood nestled in the bend of the river, this area is full of parks and cute little house rentals.
Southeast Bend. Another pleasant area.
Old Farm District. Historic, social, and full of Mountain Town character, this area includes eats, pubs, country clubs, and neighborhood parks.
Larkspur. A neighborhood that enjoys sports bars, bowling, movie-going, pizza, and laid back strolls in the park.
Mountain View. Simple and walkable, with tons of parks and chain restaurants.
Boyd Acres. Live here for the Tendrak Theatre, the Sun Mountain Fun Center, and the variety of eats.
Awbrey Butte. Next door to the national forest.
There aren't many cities with the urban atmosphere Bend's has, nor are there many rural towns with the astounding beauty of Bend's cityscape. Citizens have carefully planned their city's growth, clustering homes and allowing the wilderness to sprawl. Your new rental will be in a neighborhood, looked over by the omnipresent mountains that surround the area, and miles and miles of dense, pine-fresh forests.
-By Katy Comal
