Those who are relocating to Bend will find that the small city layout makes it easy to commute from pretty much anywhere, so there are plenty of choices when it comes to choosing the perfect neighborhoods. And while it’s important to take into account schools, how much acreage you want, and proximity to things like Mt. Bachelor shuttles or the St. Charles Medical Center, several Bend neighborhoods stand out from the rest as especially popular spots for newcomers. Our relocation service can help provide more in-depth reviews and tours of these neighborhoods, but here are a few tips on how to make your choices!

1. Do You Like to Be Near the Center of the Action?

People moving to Bend quickly see the appeal in living in the central Old Mill District, curled along the most charming portion of the Deschutes river and filling with renovated shops, restaurants, venues, and a variety of financial and medical services. It’s an easy hop over to downtown, plus quick access to Century West’s direct lines to the mountains (and speaking of mountains, there are a lot of amazing views here, too). However, this ideal location also makes Old Mill a particularly competitive zone when it comes to finding a rental or house or condo.

Also, homes near downtown Bend allow you to easily walk to the latest festivals, clubs, cafes, and any other attraction happening in the area. If you like to be in the middle of the action, a home here could be just what you’re looking for!

2. Do You Have a Young Family?

Southwest Bend has seen excellent development in the past years that has turned a relatively quiet area of the city into bustling new developments, middle schools, and small shopping centers. The combination is especially perfect for young families, and prices here may be more affordable than some of the more competitive neighborhoods. There’s also directs routes up to Old Mill and then downtown for events and more.

We also suggest trying out Old Bend and River West. Old Bend is something of a misnomer, since this laid-back area of town has had massive renovations that include many new multi-family housing options as well as very traditional single-family homes. Throughout you will find some of the best restaurants and shops in the city. There’s also close proximity to Drake Park, and River West is a great location if you want to be close to the Central Oregon Community College.

3. Do You Like Being Near Your High School?

Northwest Crossing is a couple of minutes from Summit High School, and Mountain View has excellent subdivisions for the Mountain View High School. Larkspur is a great neighborhood for easy visits to Bend High, too!

4. Are You Interested in Luxury?

Awbrey Butte’s hilly subdivisions are all about luxury. Manors and sprawling homes overlook sweeping golf courses and perfect views of the Cascades for those who are more interested in style than price points. If you don’t mind the very vertical nature of the Butte, properties here are filled with deeply impressive possibilities.

It’s also worth taking a look at Summit West, which is a somewhat flatter, more open area that has seen similar luxury development to Awbrey Butte!

5. Do You Want to Save Money When Picking a Home?

Look into Boyd Acres and Mountain View, as well as developing locations in Southwest Bend. These developments tend to be newer and have lots of potential for saving on a house. However, homes can still sell very quickly, so it’s important to work with a relocation service that can help you take immediate action if necessary.

6. Are You an Empty Nester?

There’s really no wrong place for retirees looking for a Bend neighborhood. Old Mill is a great option if you like walking everywhere, while Mountain View and Larkspur can offer easy access to desert trails. If it’s a priority to be near a medical center, Orchard District is a favorite, although there are smaller centers throughout Bend that can also help out. Gated communities like Awbrey Glen and Broken Top are also favorite spots, but competition here can be fierce.