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Jace R.
housing
Housing in Bend compared to Portland
It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Any advice would be great.
49 upvotes
5 Replies
Peter R.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
28 upvotes
Axel Peterson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Boston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm a writer who relocated here from Boston about 3 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is tough.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
24 upvotes
Ezra Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a contractor, 33, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Highland and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The job market situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
14 upvotes
brooklyn_rider
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Highland for 1 years. Moved from Chicago for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Rising rent and home prices. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Hailey Hill
underrated comment
0 upvotes