Any DU'ers in Bend?

[Bullwinkle925]

I'm contemplating moving to Bend. How's the political climate?

[Vanje]

1. Place is filthy with republicans

Birkenstock wearing, Latte drinking, tofu eating REPUBLICANS!

I worked there for a couple of years.

[Bullwinkle925]

2. Well -

If you were to choose between living in Bend or a Dallas suburb - what would you select?

[roguevalley]

3. Bend. In a NY minute. I live in Alaska but does wanting to be a

Bend Du'er count? :-D

[Bullwinkle925]

5. Certainly

I'll take all the advice I can get.
I'm trying to decide where to 'retire'. My sister and her husband have just built a home outside of Dallas and want me to move there.
I have visited Bend and I do like that area. However, I wouldn't know anyone there (yet!).
Unfortunately - I just can't make up my mind as to what would be a better fit for me.
Until then - I'll stay put for a while and keep mulling it over.
I

[Farmgirl]

4. I respectfully disagree with Sheeptramp...

Yes, you do have your birkenstock wearing, latte drinking, tofu eating republicans (really?), but you also have your birkenstock wearing, latte drinking, tofu eating dems. Central Oregon by far is more republican than democratic and the further east you travel, the more anti-government, gun-toting conservative you get. But -- Bend is a paradox. It is where west meets east, in both a geographic and philosophical way. There are many, many liberal, independent, progressive minded, intelligent folk out here, scattered about like cowpies in a pasture.

We've been here for over ten years and during that time have noticed more movement toward the left -- okay, okay toward the center. You gets all kinds out here... you can PM me if you'd like more information.

Come for a visit, bring your skis and check the political ambience for yourself.

[HuckleB]

6. Bend is a great area, IMHO.

This is from a Portlander, who would live in Bend without question, though I love my city, as well.

Bend's growth is a bit odd for Oregon, as it seems to be traditional sprawl, but it's not even comparable to that of Dallas. Plus, you've got a much more temperate climate in Bend, with a much larger variety of close-by outdoor activities. And there's little doubt that the percentage of progressives in Bend far outweighs that in Dallas. Plus, there's a great bookstore in nearby Sisters, which attracts some serious authors for readings. Further, you're only three hours from the incredible Oregon coastline, a couple hours from Crater Lake NP, three hours from Malheur Wildlife Refuge (a mecca for birders), and on and on and on. Downtown Bend is wonderful, with many local shops and restaurants that make many towns in Oregon unique compared to much of the country anymore.

As for friends, you'll make plenty. And I'm willing to bet that you'll have some folks follow you to the area after they visit.

Best of luck in making your decision.

[Farmgirl]

7. Now, I respectfully AGREE with your position HuckleB!

Bend has something for everyone, nearby mountains for skiing, hiking and enjoying, high lakes to kayak, canoe, swim (brr-r-r-r), high desert scenery, wide open vistas, wild and wonderful remote places -- and then, if you're the shopping type, we've got every shop imaginable, from the big box type (ugh!), to the locally owned...fine, fine restaurants, lots of wonderful festivals, lots of music and art venues.

:hi:

[LWolf]

8. I have family near Bend, and

I hope to be somewhere nearby myself this summer.

From what my family says, it is more republican than I'd like, but less right-wing than where I am.

I'm looking forward to the move.

:hi:

[Caoimhe]

9. Bend is a great place to live

Yes, of course there are lots of conservo-turds :hurts: and repukes :puke: here, but there are those everywhere outside of the Portland and Eugene areas. Bend has a lot to offer: There are book stores, a college, performing arts, art galleries, a lively downtown, first class hospital and medical facilities, and a beautiful river front park (Drake Park) which is the center of fun activities :party: all year. Decent bands :headbang: come to the new Les Schwab Ampitheatre in the Old Mill district, and having the Parkway has improved driving around Bend a hundred fold. If you are into walking or bicycling or even just going on day trips in your car, there is no better place. :smoke: Oh yeah, and good beer too. http://www.deschutesbrewery.com/splash/default.aspx
:beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer::beer:

I love the dry side of Oregon, and Bend is the showcase.

When you mentioned Dallas, did you mean Texas or Oregon? If you meant Oregon, Bend beats the heck out of Dallas, Oregon. If you meant Texas, I wouldn't know as I have never been there, but I have no plans on moving to a red state EVER. :tinfoilhat:

[classof56]

10. I live in Redmond, near Bend.

And I give a strong YES! to all the posters here who've said good things about this area, the climate, the activities, the cultural pportunities, and by and large the people. I have family who moved up here from Southern California a few months ago, and they love it. As for the political climate, there's conservatives everywhere, but I campaigned for a Dem candidate for a local office (as well as for Kerry), and while neither of them won (sadly), I did find out there's a strong Democratic Party organization here, and if I got it right, the D-R voter registration is about 50-50. I've lived in several places in Oregon in the past almost-40 years, most recently "did time" in a small town east of here for 10 years. Big Mistake! I'm so happy to be here in Central Oregon, and if Bush & Crowd don't force me to give up on my country altogether, I intend to stay here for what's left of my life. Wonderful place to retire, BTW!

If you are seriously thinking of Dallas, Texas, all I can say is--think some more. I've been there and the traffic, humidity, urban sprawl and overcrowding totally turned me off. And that was over 10 years ago. Not sure what it's like now, but I'm guessing not much better. One more big PLUS for Central Oregon--the view of the Cascades from Mt. Hood to Bachelor is spectacular, nigh near incomparable. Worth gettin' up in the morning for!

[Bullwinkle925]

11. Thanks everyone

I'm still thinking - but I know in my heart I really like the city of Bend and the geography there. I also love Craftsman-style homes and I've looked at several being built there.
Just have to make friends and develop a 'social base' around myself.

[Farmgirl]

12. So nice to know that there are lots of DU'ers in Bend...

I'd love to meet in person. I am always looking for progressive, forward thinking folk -- and eventually, some day we hope to change out our rental house on our Tumalo property to more of a partial rent/work exchange community experience. We always seem to get "stuck with" right wing, gun totin' folks. Fine if your renters are miles away, but not so good when they're on our property. Of course it's our final decision, but when the place remains vacant for months on end...one has a tendency to get desperate!

So -- DU'ers in Bend, in Oregon -- I'd love to get together. Ski? Hike? Social event?

[LWolf]

13. I'll be there in late February,

doing a consulting job for a couple of days.

Then I'll be there off and on this spring, interviewing for a permanent position and looking for a place to live.

I love Tumalo. It would be my first choice, but it is just a bit beyond the resources of a single elementary school teacher!

I need a place big enough for my horses, not too far from my probable new job in Redmond. I can hardly wait!

It's nice to know I'll have some "neighbors."