 
Bend Geography:
Bend, county seat of Deschutes County, is located near the center of Oregon at the foot of the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Bend covers twenty-one miles with an altitude of 3,628 feet. It is noted for its scenic setting, mild climate, year-round recreational opportunities and growing economy.
Bend Climate:
Bend enjoys the predominately dry climate of the high desert. Sunny days, low humidity and cool nights provide the most common weather pattern. The average annual precipitation in Bend is about twelve inches.
Bend History:
Until the winter of 1824, this area was known only to native Americans who hunter and fished here. Members of a fur trapping party led by Peter Skene Ogden were the earliest visitors. John Fremont and other Army survey parties came next. Then pioneers heading further west came through and forded the Deschutes River at "Farewell Bend". A small community developed around the Bend in the river and in 1904, a city was incorporated with approximately three hundred citizens. The Oregon Trunk Railroad was completed in 1911 and the community of Bend began to grow. 1914 brought two major lumber companies and timber became the mainstay of the local economy. 
Mt. Bachelor ski area became the catalyst for the visitor industry, which simultaneously generated industrial and commercial expansion. Wood products are still the leading economic factors with tourism also being the second largest industry. Other diversified industries are developing. Bend is also the retail center of Central Oregon.
Bend Education:
This area features a wide range of educational opportunities for youth and adults. Public Schools are in the Bend/Lapine School District #1.
Bend has three high schools (grades 9 -12) - Mountain View, Bend High School and Summit High School. There are four middle schools (grades 6 - 8), and 12 elementary schools (grades k -5). Bend also houses the Central Oregon Community College and the Cascade Branch of Oregon State University. In addition, there are also numerous private, independent schools and preschools, as well as special education, business and vocational schools.
Bend Housing:
The average 2003 sale price for residential homes was $235,882. The median sales price was $195,000 and, for homes on acreage, the average sale price was $321,361, with the median sale price of $295,000. Average days on the market was 141.
Bend Population:
Bend Population: 70,232
Bend Parks and Recreation:
|
Mt. Bachelor:
Acclaimed for its ideal climate, clear, dry air and abundant powder. The ski/board season begins in early November running through July, and offers some of the best skiing/riding in the Northwest. Jim Brennan attended college on a ski scholarship, coached ski teams and participated in the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympics as a ski jumper. But when Jim takes to the slopes now, it is usually on a snowboard. Brennan is an example of how snowboarding has entered the mainstream of winter recreation. More and more skiers are becoming snowboarders. |
|
Drake Park: |
Downtown Bend. Eleven acres of lawn and trees bordering the Deschutes River. Abundant waterfowl, picnic tables, and a playground across the bridge. |
|
Deschutes River Run Trail: |
A three-mile long barkchip trail which begins at the north end of NW First Street and passes along the west side of Sawyer Park. Ideal for hiking, jogging, and mountain biking, beautiful views of the rugged, river canyon at the north end. |
|
Pioneer Park: |
Borders Wall Street at the north end of Downtown Bend. On the Deschutes River, six acres with lawn, trees, flower gardens, picnic shelter, picnic tables and children's fishing. |
|
Juniper Park: |
Borders Franklin Ave. and 8th Street in Bend. Twenty-two acres containing Juniper Swim and Fitness Center, spacious lawns, children's playground, horseshoe pits, four tennis courts, ball field, roller hockey rink and walking/jogging path. |
|
Shevlin Park: |
Five miles west of Bend on Shevlin park Rd. Over five hundred acres of forested land along Tumalo Creek with picnic facilities for large groups (by reservation) and ice skating in the winter at the Hatchery Pond. Aspen Hall, located beside the pond is also available for group functions. |
|
Sawyer Park: |
One half mile northwest of the Bend River Mall, this 61.5 acres park straddling the Deschutes River includes both developed and natural settings, offering picnic sites, hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation. |
|
Smith Rock State Park: |
A canyon area of scenic and colorful igneous rock formations, known worldwide for its challenge to rock climbers. The best time to watch the climbers is during the morning and evening hours. |
|
Benham Falls: |
Eleven miles south of Bend - hiking trails access to spectacular series of untamed whitewater. |
|
Tumalo Falls: |
Fourteen miles west of Bend - a beautiful 97 foot waterfall deep in the pine forest of the Deschutes National Forest. |
|
Newberry National Volcanic Monument:
Within the Deschutes National Forest. Includes Newberry Crater, Paulina Peak (with its magnificent panorama of snow-covered mountains), Paulina Falls, Lava Cast Forest (with its many examples of vertical and horizontal tree molds or casts in the lava), Lava River Cave (with its spectacular mile long lava tube), Lava Butte, Benham Falls and many other interesting features of our volcanic past. Located 37 miles southeast of Bend is the largest ice-age volcano in Oregon. |
  Request my Free Bend and Sunriver Relocation Package. It's packed full of useful and important information about the Bend and Sunriver, Oregon area. Don't move here without it! Remember: I'll send it to you for free and without obligation. Just fill out the form and I will send it right out...
Relocation >Considering Locations
The large, stately house that you drive by every morning on the way to work has had a "For Sale" sign sitting in the front yard for months. When you finally call for an appointment and see the house--you love it! And the price is lower than prices for similar houses on quieter side streets.
Houses located on busy streets may represent excellent buys in terms of space and amenities for the price. Some buyers who are very sensitive to noise or concerned about small children or pets may automatically rule out houses that are located on busy residential streets. If you don't share these same concerns, you won't consider a busy location to be a deterrent to buying the property. If the sellers have made pricing concessions on the property based on its location, this could provide an opportunity for you to own a far grander house than you thought you could afford!
Just remember that when you sell the house, the pool of prospective buyers may be smaller, and you may have to pass on a similar price break to the next owner.
|
| Q |
Into what category do forty-four percent of home buying households fall?
|
| A |
Forty-four percent of home-buying households are made up of married couples with dependents. |
 See More Real Estate Trivia > |
|
|
|
- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
