Should we move from Davis, CA to Bend, OR? (house prices, unemployment rate)

[davisca]

I'm exploring a new job in Bend, OR. We live in a great town now (Davis, CA), but are wondering if Bend might be a good fit also. We're a young couple (early 30s) with a toddler.
Has anyone moved from Davis, CA to Bend, OR or vise versa? Or has anyone had experience with both places?

[davefr]

I've been to both and I'd take Bend over Davis anyday for quality of living.

However there's one big consideration you should think through. Davis is surrounded by many other cities and should offer many more employement options in the event of a job loss.

There's really not much arund Bend and it has one of the worst unemployment rates in the country. If a new job doesn't work out then your alternate choices will be severly limited.

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by davisca

I'm exploring a new job in Bend, OR. We live in a great town now (Davis, CA), but are wondering if Bend might be a good fit also. We're a young couple (early 30s) with a toddler.
Has anyone moved from Davis, CA to Bend, OR or vise versa? Or has anyone had experience with both places?

I live in Davis and have had my eye on Bend for about 3 years as a place to semi-retire to (I would be taking my job with me via telecommuting).

The house prices in Bend have tanked during the time I've been looking, so in terms of cost of living, it beats Davis hands down. And I love the outdoor recreation in Bend. Here you have to drive a ways to get anywhere like the Sierra, and the traffic on weekends going and coming can be a bear. In Bend you can be out hiking or biking much quicker, with fewer people competing for space on the trails.

However, the horrible economy and very long winters are giving me pause about moving there. I think the summers might be too short for me and the winters too harsh. But that's just me, and I'm still debating that issue with myself.

The economy in Bend is so dire that I fear the impact on the town in the way of reduced tax revenue, small businesses closing, etc., may negatively affect the quality of life there.

If you like the cold winters and snow, and have a job offer there, it might work spectacularly for you.

[davisca]

My position would be grant funded for the 1st 5 yrs, so we're not too concerned about job loss, at least for the first 5 yrs. We used to live in a place that had much more differentiated seasons, so winter would be ok. To be honest, we actually miss the snow some. The impact of the economy upon the businesses is something we've talked about (i.e.- quality of life).

Here are two additional questions:
1) Would you say Bend is as family-friendly as Davis? Davis seems to be set up for families w/ young kids. Is Bend considered a good location for young families?
2) How easy is it to get around Bend? Is biking a common mode of transportation?

[sarahkate_m]

www.bendneighborhoods.org/..../f/7-6-09_ProtectWestNile.pdf

I'd check out the mosquito situation there before deciding to move.

Kate

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by sarahkate_m

I'd check out the mosquito situation there before deciding to move.

Of all the reasons NOT to move to Bend, mosquitoes would be incredibly low on the list.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by davisca

My position would be grant funded for the 1st 5 yrs, so we're not too concerned about job loss, at least for the first 5 yrs. We used to live in a place that had much more differentiated seasons, so winter would be ok. To be honest, we actually miss the snow some. The impact of the economy upon the businesses is something we've talked about (i.e.- quality of life).

Here are two additional questions:
1) Would you say Bend is as family-friendly as Davis? Davis seems to be set up for families w/ young kids. Is Bend considered a good location for young families?
2) How easy is it to get around Bend? Is biking a common mode of transportation?

I've never been to Davis, so I can't compare. However, Bend seems to be very family friendly. I don't have kids myself, but when my 2 year old nephew visited earlier this year we found plenty to do. There is a children's museum (small, but nice to have for a small town), the High Desert Museum, which has wildlife and art/history exhibits, Juniper Fitness with several pools, a family fun center, and of course tons of hiking trails and lakes for swimming. My husband & I just moved here last July and absolutely love it. We plan on staying here to raise a family.

Biking is a very common mode of transportation in Bend. You can easily get around on two wheels without a problem. The west side of town is definitely a bit easier to get around by bike than the east side, mostly because the neighborhoods are more walkable than the east side (which is a little more suburban, but also more affordable).

Overall, I think local business will still hurt in this economy, but there is light! We have had several new restaurants and boutiques open this summer. Bend is tourism driven, so when the economy is great, Bend is booming. Right now, Bend is struggling a little, but if you have a job, it's a great place to be!

[sarahkate_m]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Of all the reasons NOT to move to Bend, mosquitoes would be incredibly low on the list.

Mosquitoes love me. Just remembered reading about the mosquito festival that one of the little towns on the way to Bend have annually & looked up a link about these varmints to add to this thread (my previous post).

Some of us do have mosquitoes on our priority list! I admit it may be overkill on part, this time...

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by sarahkate_m

Mosquitoes love me. Just remembered reading about the mosquito festival that one of the little towns on the way to Bend have annually & looked up a link about these varmints to add to this thread (my previous post).

Some of us do have mosquitoes on our priority list! I admit it may be overkill on part, this time...

The frequently soggy Willamette Valley is far worse than Bend. The problem certainly exists in the Cascades proper, especially in the spring and early summer, but not in Bend.

Because of the wet June in Central/Southern Oregon, this is a worse-than-normal year, but that's a relative term.

[ukiyo-e]

Originally Posted by davisca

My position would be grant funded for the 1st 5 yrs, so we're not too concerned about job loss, at least for the first 5 yrs. We used to live in a place that had much more differentiated seasons, so winter would be ok. To be honest, we actually miss the snow some. The impact of the economy upon the businesses is something we've talked about (i.e.- quality of life).

Here are two additional questions:
1) Would you say Bend is as family-friendly as Davis? Davis seems to be set up for families w/ young kids. Is Bend considered a good location for young families?
2) How easy is it to get around Bend? Is biking a common mode of transportation?

Yeah, I grew up back east and I miss the snow sometimes, myself. I like snowshoeing, etc. Just not nuts about getting snowed in, shoveling out from under it, etc., anymore. As I said, I debate it with myself. I'd be working from home so at least I wouldn't have to commute in it.

I've only visited Bend twice, for about a week each time. I really loved my visits; there's so much outdoor recreation available there. I can't really say it's set up as well for biking as Davis is, but then, where would be? People who haven't been to Davis wouldn't understand, but the OP knows what I mean. Plus that winter weather again...