Give me 10 reasons NOT to move to Bend (Portland: transplants, camping)

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Water in Bend? At this point, the city of Bend is just taking water away from the farmers, regardless of grandfathered water rights.

Water in Bend is fairly unique in that the snow melts and does not run down in rivers, it sinks down through the volcanic soil and comes out lower in springs, or simply goes into the water table to be pumped out.

And yes, there is fighting over water and there most likely isn't enough water to support the growth of the Bend area. Its desert and not enough water to support hundreds of thousands of people and all the water hog breweries that the government is encouraging to set up in the Bend area.

I had a dream for a couple of hours about retiring to Bend. But, I want to stay where there's water. And, the bottom line with the weather is that it sounds like if you are not a skier it may be better to sit tight in the Portland metro area. I am hobbled from an accident and it's not like I can completely take advantage of the great outdoors (though it's part of the reason I landed here in 2002 (and then things happened and changed)).

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by oregonwoodsmoke

Water in Bend? At this point, the city of Bend is just taking water away from the farmers, regardless of grandfathered water rights.

Water in Bend is fairly unique in that the snow melts and does not run down in rivers, it sinks down through the volcanic soil and comes out lower in springs, or simply goes into the water table to be pumped out.

And yes, there is fighting over water and there most likely isn't enough water to support the growth of the Bend area. Its desert and not enough water to support hundreds of thousands of people and all the water hog breweries that the government is encouraging to set up in the Bend area.

Why is the government encouraging that?

[SkyLark2019]

Honestly, the cost of living.

It will keep going up. Oregon is somewhat of a "resort state" at this point in time.

[Thom52]

Originally Posted by Wile E. Coyote

I am really curious about the weather in Bend. I know how radically the weather has changed NW of Portland (and Portland Metro Area in general).

I am wondering about their water source and how secure that is (since the Willamette Valley has the big rivers). I am thinking long term to the next 20-25 years.

Curious about Bend as a retirement move from Portland Metro in 5-7 years.

Bumping the thread to see if we can get some updated opinions.

Bend has an Urban Growth Boundary system where they do extremely high density housing within the boundary, and then just continually expand that boundary.

The greater Bend area has found a workaround to the limits on expansion by calling high density housing "resorts", and plopping in "resorts" of 3000-5000 houses which are larger than the population of the town of Sisters. They compound the problem of the resort by putting in multiple golf courses and artificial lakes that consume more groundwater than the breweries. There seem to be no limits to the number of "resorts" that can be put in, due to the people in power being deep in the pockets of the developers or are developers themselves.

They plop down these thirsty "resorts" right next to areas that are already running their wells dry. So yes, water will be an issue going forward.

Bend's attraction is really the outdoor sports. I don't understand people that move into the area that are not interested in that aspect. Problem is, most people are interested and now the outdoor opportunities are getting so crowded that you literally need to make reservations in advance, if you are lucky, to go on most nearby hikes. Basically you can't find parking at most outdoor sports locations anymore.

Bend is being crushed by its own success, sadly.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by Thom52

Bend has an Urban Growth Boundary system where they do extremely high density housing within the boundary, and then just continually expand that boundary.

The greater Bend area has found a workaround to the limits on expansion by calling high density housing "resorts", and plopping in "resorts" of 3000-5000 houses which are larger than the population of the town of Sisters. They compound the problem of the resort by putting in multiple golf courses and artificial lakes that consume more groundwater than the breweries. There seem to be no limits to the number of "resorts" that can be put in, due to the people in power being deep in the pockets of the developers or are developers themselves.

They plop down these thirsty "resorts" right next to areas that are already running their wells dry. So yes, water will be an issue going forward.

Bend's attraction is really the outdoor sports. I don't understand people that move into the area that are not interested in that aspect. Problem is, most people are interested and now the outdoor opportunities are getting so crowded that you literally need to make reservations in advance, if you are lucky, to go on most nearby hikes. Basically you can't find parking at most outdoor sports locations anymore.

Bend is being crushed by its own success, sadly.

There are some similarities with the Portland Metro area's expansion in terms of it's getting crowded and pricey.

I am afraid that making a move would be a mistake. Staying an a house you have owned 20+ years seems like the conservative answer. Friends of a friend had a vacation house in Bend. They discovered they barely used it (even after they retired). So, they sold it and bought a bigger, nicer house than the one they had close in. But, they are both engineers and can afford to make expensive mistakes. Most of us cannot afford a mistake. The draw for me would be more sunshine in retirement (but, it has gotten hotter, drier and sunnier right where I am and it sounds like that aspect has been exaggerated for Bend).

Thanks for your response

[Wile E. Coyote]

Originally Posted by SkyLark2019

Honestly, the cost of living.

It will keep going up. Oregon is somewhat of a "resort state" at this point in time.

I know what you mean, but, there are actually well paying jobs in Oregon. When I moved here it was the bargain west coast / semi-coastal option.

[pete98146]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

One or two. Anything more than that attracts Californians.

My wife and I are in town visiting my family in Bend for Christmas. Went shopping downtown on Saturday. Was looking for men’s clothing at a store called Revolver (great clothing store btw). I’m walking around and one of the employees walks up and asks me if I’d like to enjoy a beer while I was shopping. I sad absolutely! How cool is this?

The beer was terrific! Asked where it came from and she said Bend Brewery which was a few blocks away. Walked there for lunch and it was terrific! Good marketing tactic giving away free beer at the clothing store. Bend Brewery was filled with Cali types. But live in Seattle and Cali types are fun compared to Seattle folk. Everyone was sitting outside enjoying good beer and sunshine. Super fun experience and we enjoyed chit chatting with other patrons there.

[NW4me]

I'm a Californian, but I'd rather live on the wet side of Oregon than the dry side.

[RMESMH]

Originally Posted by NW4me

I'm a Californian, but I'd rather live on the wet side of Oregon than the dry side.

I'd rather live across the river in Vancouver, Camas, etc.

If I had to live in Oregon, I'd probably pick Lake Oswego or some town on the coast.

[JackieLovesSun]

Originally Posted by NW4me

I'm a Californian, but I'd rather live on the wet side of Oregon than the dry side.

why? I'm just the opposite because I NEED more sun this time of year.