Endless Outdoor Recreation
Ski Mt. Bachelor, paddle the Cascade Lakes, and ride hundreds of miles of trails. World class recreation sits minutes from your front door in every season.
Relocation Guide
Moving to Bend, Oregon
Welcome To Central Oregon
Life in Bend, Oregon
Bend sits at about 3,600 feet on the dry, sunny side of the Cascades, with the Deschutes River running straight through downtown. Mt. Bachelor and its ski lifts are roughly 25 minutes west, Smith Rock and miles of high desert trails are just north, and the shops and restaurants of the Old Mill District line the river in the middle of town. It is a place of just over 100,000 people that genuinely lives outdoors, and with a growing economy and no state income or sales tax on everyday purchases, it keeps turning weekend visitors into full time residents.
- Ski, bike, and hike minutes from town
- Float and fish the Deschutes River
- Walkable downtown along the river
- Distinct, established neighborhoods
- A growing, remote friendly economy
- No sales tax anywhere in Oregon
Bend, Oregon
0K+Population
$0KMedian Home
0%State Sales Tax
0 miTo Mt. Bachelor
Why People Love It Here
Fun things to know about Bend
The River and Old Mill
Float the Deschutes River in summer, then walk to shops, dining, and riverside concerts in the Old Mill District, a reclaimed lumber mill turned into the heart of town.
Four Distinct Seasons
Snowy winters, dry warm summers, and a fall that locals quietly consider the best of all. The high desert air stays crisp and outdoor plans stay easy to keep year round.
A Standout Food Scene
Farm to table restaurants, food carts, and coffee roasters that punch well above the size of the city, with a downtown built for walking between them.
Established Neighborhoods
Old Bend, Awbrey Butte, NorthWest Crossing, and the east side each have their own feel, price, and pace. The area you choose shapes daily life more than the house.
Connected Yet Tucked Away
Mt. Bachelor sits twenty two miles west and Sunriver twenty minutes south, with a regional airport in nearby Redmond and Portland about three hours by car.
Relocating To Bend
Let's Plan Your Move to Central Oregon
Booking a call with Matt is the easiest first step. Tell him where you are moving from and what you are after, and he will walk you through neighborhoods, timing, and the homes that fit, long before you arrive.
Book time with Matt
Scheduling widgetThe Calendly booking calendar will appear here once connected.
Before You Arrive
The essential Bend moving checklist
Six things Matt tells every relocating client to sort out early. Work through them and the move to Central Oregon stays smooth from day one.
01 Get to know the neighborhoods
Explore areas like Old Bend, Awbrey Butte, NorthWest Crossing, the Old Mill, and the east side. Each has its own feel, price point, and commute, so time in each one pays off.
02 Plan for the seasons
High desert winters bring snow and cold nights, so budget for snow tires and heating. Summers are warm and dry, with a short late summer window when wildfire smoke can drift through.
03 Understand the market and budget
Central Oregon is a sought after market. Know your price range early, and remember Oregon has no state sales tax, which changes the math on everyday costs compared with many states.
04 Line up the essentials early
Set up utilities, transfer your driver license and registration to Oregon, and research healthcare and internet providers before move in day so nothing stalls your arrival.
05 Look into schools and work
Families can review the Bend-La Pine School District, while remote workers will find strong connectivity and coworking spaces. Bend is very friendly to work from anywhere lifestyles.
06 Partner with a local expert first
The fastest way to feel at home is to talk with someone who lives it. Matt McManus helps relocating buyers understand neighborhoods, timing, and off market options before they ever arrive.