First Heidi, then April Lawyer and now one of co-workers and her husband are going to make the move to the place called Bend, Oregon. I'm sad to see them leave SoCal but I understand. Now, I have to go visit and see what this city is all about.
Whats up with Bend, Oregon?
- Thread starter Carbon Fetish
- Start date
Yup, quite a thing going on here. Not what it used to be for long time residents though....
Alright, commercial, time for a proper response.
This is easily the most beautiful community I have ever seen. I love Boulder, but on pure aesthetics Bend beats it hands down. There is a large ski area 20 minutes away. There are more mountain bike trails than you can shake a stick at - although most are beginner by most peoples standards here on RM. However, people have been buidling a lot of new, technical stuff lately. There is endless hiking, climbing, mountains, desert, motocross - we have it all.
But its getting really big, really fast. I think we are pushing 70k people now and thousands move here every year. The big mountains and trails West of town are fricken PACKED with people much of the time. East in the desert is still great though.
Between the fricken Forest Circus and the Bend Parks and Rec department, it's pretty much a crime to own a dog in this town anymore. There is no public place anywhere where you can have a dog off a leash without getting an obscene fine. you will pay more if your dog takes one step into the street than you will for running a red light in this town - and that is no exageration.
Money runs this town. Developers run this town. Historic, public good etc means **** here these days. We have 70k people and not one form of true public transport. Plan on owning a jacked up Excursion or get the **** outta the way. Police don't do jack unless they are writing people 250 dollar tickets because their dogs are chasing a frisbee in the park. It is seemingly OK to park you gigantic truck on the sidewalk so it doesnt hang out 10 feet into the street, and it's OK to virtually run down a pedestrian downtown, but you better not have your dog off a leash. Ever.
People with money have moved here. People from out of state that want the "outdoor" experience, but they sure as hell don't want to get dirty or be bothered by a dog in the park. This town belongs to those people now.
I've lived here on and off for ten years, but I'll move on in a few.
Boulder is always the butt of the Front Range jokes - but at least Boulder knows how to create a community for ALL people - without compromises. Not many places are run that way.
This is easily the most beautiful community I have ever seen. I love Boulder, but on pure aesthetics Bend beats it hands down. There is a large ski area 20 minutes away. There are more mountain bike trails than you can shake a stick at - although most are beginner by most peoples standards here on RM. However, people have been buidling a lot of new, technical stuff lately. There is endless hiking, climbing, mountains, desert, motocross - we have it all.
But its getting really big, really fast. I think we are pushing 70k people now and thousands move here every year. The big mountains and trails West of town are fricken PACKED with people much of the time. East in the desert is still great though.
Between the fricken Forest Circus and the Bend Parks and Rec department, it's pretty much a crime to own a dog in this town anymore. There is no public place anywhere where you can have a dog off a leash without getting an obscene fine. you will pay more if your dog takes one step into the street than you will for running a red light in this town - and that is no exageration.
Money runs this town. Developers run this town. Historic, public good etc means **** here these days. We have 70k people and not one form of true public transport. Plan on owning a jacked up Excursion or get the **** outta the way. Police don't do jack unless they are writing people 250 dollar tickets because their dogs are chasing a frisbee in the park. It is seemingly OK to park you gigantic truck on the sidewalk so it doesnt hang out 10 feet into the street, and it's OK to virtually run down a pedestrian downtown, but you better not have your dog off a leash. Ever.
People with money have moved here. People from out of state that want the "outdoor" experience, but they sure as hell don't want to get dirty or be bothered by a dog in the park. This town belongs to those people now.
I've lived here on and off for ten years, but I'll move on in a few.
Boulder is always the butt of the Front Range jokes - but at least Boulder knows how to create a community for ALL people - without compromises. Not many places are run that way.
Ashland is where its at...
So if Bend is getting runover, do you have a suggestion for similar places that are a few years behind this housing rush? I've been checking out Oregon and Idaho, Boulder, CO is catching my interest as well. Not planning on moving now, but after college I'm looking to get out of CA. I've heard tons of good things about Bend, but I also really don't want to get the same vibe I get in SoCal and seems to be moving to NorCal as well. Of all the things to worry about while writing an essay.......but I figure I should get a good idea of what is out there before it sneaks up on me.Ridemonkey said:
The Ito
Ashland....Look into it.ito said:
I say screw all those dog hating suberbanites and move to the borring flat lands of michigan (just kidding no one wants to live here)
My brother has lived in Bend for about 5 years now and I've been out there twice to visit him. First I absolutely love it, if my wife and I ever get a huge inheritance or win the lottery I think we would move out there in a heartbeat.
That said there are some downsides: first it's referred to by the "normal" people (those who are not loaded) as "poverty with a view". The cost of living is crazy high (at least compared to Arkansas) - my brothers house which is 500 sq ft smaller (built same year), similar sized lots, no central heat or air (ours does have that) cost 100k more than our house.
Now if the cost of living is high you would think the salaries would also be higher there - you would think. I've interviewed two places out there (Epic Aircraft and Lancair) both to do exactly what I'm doing now (only with smaller airplanes). The highest salary they could offer me was 12k less a year than what I make here (I'm at the middle of my salary range) with the cost of living adjustment (~16%). Personally I don't know how an economy like that can sustain itself- high cost of living and relatively low average salary.
Now before you go "you just all about the $" - if I took a cut in pay my wife would have to go back to work full time, and right now with our 8 month old son that is just not worth her not being able to spend the time with him that she does now.
Anyway, it is totally beautiful, and some of the best single track I've ever ridden, I absolutely love to go there, and maybe one day we'll move out there..........
That said there are some downsides: first it's referred to by the "normal" people (those who are not loaded) as "poverty with a view". The cost of living is crazy high (at least compared to Arkansas) - my brothers house which is 500 sq ft smaller (built same year), similar sized lots, no central heat or air (ours does have that) cost 100k more than our house.
Now if the cost of living is high you would think the salaries would also be higher there - you would think. I've interviewed two places out there (Epic Aircraft and Lancair) both to do exactly what I'm doing now (only with smaller airplanes). The highest salary they could offer me was 12k less a year than what I make here (I'm at the middle of my salary range) with the cost of living adjustment (~16%). Personally I don't know how an economy like that can sustain itself- high cost of living and relatively low average salary.
Now before you go "you just all about the $" - if I took a cut in pay my wife would have to go back to work full time, and right now with our 8 month old son that is just not worth her not being able to spend the time with him that she does now.
Anyway, it is totally beautiful, and some of the best single track I've ever ridden, I absolutely love to go there, and maybe one day we'll move out there..........
A month ago I would have said the Couer De Lane (I can't spell that ha) area of Idaho until I learned about a little lead problem in the area. I'll pass on that now.
I love Colorado but housing in the entire state is insane. That said, Salida is cool and by Colorado standards isn't that expensive yet - but it's still expensive.
Montana has lots of open land still. Much of it is inexpensive. I'd like to spend more time in Helena - lots of potential there.
Those are the towns of some size. These days I am leaning towards a tiny village in the mountains. Lots of those in Colorado. Philipsburg, Montana will become a hot spot in upcoming years. Driggs Idaho is cool.
I love Colorado but housing in the entire state is insane. That said, Salida is cool and by Colorado standards isn't that expensive yet - but it's still expensive.
Montana has lots of open land still. Much of it is inexpensive. I'd like to spend more time in Helena - lots of potential there.
Those are the towns of some size. These days I am leaning towards a tiny village in the mountains. Lots of those in Colorado. Philipsburg, Montana will become a hot spot in upcoming years. Driggs Idaho is cool.
ito said:
I wouldn't go as far as Aaron. I have been riding out iin the mountains and surrounding area for hours on end without seeing people. There is so much singletrack that it isn't crowded. If you go to the main touristy places, then yes, they are packed, but there is enough area that is awesome.
Money does seem to talk. This is still a billion times better than San Diego where they built every little area up and there was endless traffic. I still can drive to work in less than 5 minutes, and to the other side of town in 15. My house cost half of what it did in San Diego, and I get paid half of what I made in San Diego.
When it gets to big, I'm thinking small town Idaho, or small town Colorado.
Cheers.
Money does seem to talk. This is still a billion times better than San Diego where they built every little area up and there was endless traffic. I still can drive to work in less than 5 minutes, and to the other side of town in 15. My house cost half of what it did in San Diego, and I get paid half of what I made in San Diego.
When it gets to big, I'm thinking small town Idaho, or small town Colorado.
Cheers.
Do you know any victims of the dog police? :nuts:
Heidi said:
Yes, ME!Ridemonkey said:
But, that said, I DO agree with the rules. I don't want people letting their dogs run around wild you know. I found poop on my front lawn this morning and ain't from my dogs! I just think the po-po are having a hard time using their judgement. In the woods it's one thing, in town it's another.
Dogs shouldn't be allowed to run after a ball in the park? The fine for a dog off leash should be much more than most traffic fines? 
Heidi said:
I never said that doofus! I simply said that they have to draw the line somewhere and they aren't able to do it. Their judgement is waaaaaay outta wack.Ridemonkey said:Dogs shouldn't be allowed to run after a ball in the park? The fine for a dog off leash should be much more than most traffic fines?
Park City, you fools!
Actually, the shop I ride for wants to work on turning my town into a "destination" of sorts, like Bend. I personally think they're insane...Utah is far too conservative
Actually, the shop I ride for wants to work on turning my town into a "destination" of sorts, like Bend. I personally think they're insane...Utah is far too conservative
Ridemonkey said:
Man...are they all cat people up there?
Y'all don't have dog parks? Dogs are welcome all over here...sometimes they are required to be leashed, but they'd never dream of ticketing your dog. Is there just no crime up there for them to deal with, so they have to look busy by harrassing the canine community?
Are their any dog parks? I can think of a few even in the overpriced and overcrowded OC. It'd be a shame for dogs to never sniff another without a leash getting in the way.Heidi said:
There is one downtown, and I think a couple on the east side. Honestly, I see dogs ALL OVER in all the parks without a leash. They swim in the river and everything. People seem to largely be defying the law. POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!
I'm more concerned with why the city has to grow. Close the friggen doors and quit issuing building permits and the city won't grow. DUH!
I'm more concerned with why the city has to grow. Close the friggen doors and quit issuing building permits and the city won't grow. DUH!
My brother and his wife have 3 dogs and I've yet to hear of a run in they have had with the law. They live on the south side of town so that might have something to do with it.
No, their is currently not one dog park in town. The east side park is in planning. That downtown park is actually church property and we use it with their permission (thank dog for that one spot).Heidi said:
J
JRB
Guest
Who needs a stinkin' dog park??? Aren't those just in the movies???
They built one near my old house in suburban Salt Lake, it was quickly overrun and closed due to "excessive damage".loco said:
I love dogs, but I'm not so sure dog parks are such a great idea. I dunno. Whatever happened to just taking your dog and a frisbee to the park? Thats what I used to do...who put the puppy nazis in charge?
I'm telling you they are cat people up there...blue said:
I guess Bend is another example of the dying middle class in the U.S. I daydream of moving a lot, too. Montana and Idaho appeal to me, namely Missoula and maybe Boise, but I've got my eye on the Boone-Asheville-Brevard corridor in NC. Depending on where you live, you can do it cheaply! A lot of Asheville locals have a negative view of the growing popularity of the area, but for the most part the people are damn friendly! Hope you don't mind hippies and rednecks, though. There's both. I wonder how difficult it is to get a work visa in the Vancouver, BC, area? I don't currently have health insurance anyway.
Can't ya be both? I like cats, they're low maintainence. Dogs in the summer are great, though. (We have two cats)dh girlie said:
Boise is worth a look. Nice place and still cheap.
Enginerd A2 said:
Ridemonkey said:
Boise is too big.
I've been "eyeing" Albuquerque NM - there is a new aircraft company starting up there. Albuquerque seems like it would be somewhat close to some decent skiing as well in the winter. I'm not sure how big it is, but size is not really a factor for us (just can't be too big).
I still like Bend though, just got to fix that cost of living deal............or hit the jackpot.
I still like Bend though, just got to fix that cost of living deal............or hit the jackpot.
I grew up in the sprawling Detroit suburbs, so it looks like a reasonable size to me. How's the traffic?Heidi said:
ugh. Ashland is where it was at, about 1990. Now it looks like everything from Ashland to Grants Pass is going to be part of the "greater Medford area". Urban sprawl in So. Oregon is an amazing thing to see..:Jeenyus:. said:
I haven't been back there to visit for about 2 years, but I can tell you, that place has some of the worst urban planning out there.....Ashland has some great perks, but I have a fear that there is going to be alot of resentment when Talent grows into the edge of it...if it hasn't already.
I'll be visiting A2 this weekend....Enginerd A2 said:
Cool, what's the occasion? Let me know if you'd like any tips on where to go.qualude said:
josh.schmidt AT gmail.com
Visiting family in Detroit.....my wife and I used to live in A2, so we will be visiting some friends there...Maybe swing by the shop I used to work at...Enginerd A2 said:
Don't tell me you used to work at Great Lakes...
Nope...Two Wheel Tango. Definitely one of the best shops I have been in since I moved from Oregon. Too bad there are som many crappy shops in Ann Arbor, but I guess that is what you get in a college town...Enginerd A2 said:
Two Wheel, cool. What's your name? There's only one really crappy shop, Campus Bike. The others are just mediocre.
Except you'd have to work 3 supermarket bagging jobs just to sweak by, you might be able to swing just 2 bagging jobs if you don't mind living in your car...............hans2 said:
Jay-Enginerd A2 said:
Campus Bikes is really, really bad. Selling stolen college bikes is not a good business plan....