8.1 out of 10

Bend

44.0668392783901 -121.312080019088
Great for
  • Medical Facilities
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Internet Access
  • Nightlife
Not great for
  • Parking
  • Childcare
  •  
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Singles
  •  

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 2/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 4/5
2yrs+

"Bend is a fun town that grew too fast"

I lived in Bend for 3 years. It has great access to outdoor recreation. That access and 300 days of sun a year lead to rapid growth. The infrastructure was not able to keep up with the growth.
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
5/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Cost of Living 5/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Sunny and peaceful, pro-business tax environment"

Bend began as a logging town, endured a bad slump in the 1980s, and has emerged with a diversified economy and a rapidly growing population. The dominant industry is tourism - many of the biggest companies are resorts and vendors that cater to the many skiing, beer-drinking, rock-climbing, fly-fishing, and rafting enthusiasts that visit the city's mountains, microbreweries, and neighboring Cascade Lakes.

Other industries include computer software and hardware, medical equipment, aerospace, and recreational-equipment manufacturing, in addition to a growing tech sector. These startups can benefit from Oregon's small-business friendly tax environment: The state aids startups by reducing property tax rates, worker compensation rates, income tax rates, and regulatory red tape. For green companies, there's also a business energy tax credit for 35% of eligible projects, aimed at encouraging conservation and recycling.

Unlike Oregon's coastal cities, Bend, which sits on the banks of the Deschutes River between the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains and the high desert, is bathed in sunshine all year long. All the better for the aforementioned extreme sports fans, as well as locals looking to enjoy the city's 71 parks and 48 miles of trail. -Elizabeth Bland and Mina Kimes
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees

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