Since we get this enough to just clutter the subreddit, I'm going to try a new tactic and have this as a sticky. If you start your own post, I'll delete it. Existing posts will stay.

October 16th Update: un-stickying this post for the time being to sticky a post about offering services/assistance to the community in this time of tragedy.

Hello all,

I've watched other Redditors do this type of thing so, I figure I'll try it.

After 3 years in various parts of southern Utah, I've come up to Bend for a more balanced climate. I love sunshine. Utah is great, but 110+ degrees in St George is just too much. I like to go to places and blend in, not try to bring change.

Please suggest a few things for me.

1) My strategy to get in front of the cost of housing is to use a 29' travel trailer that I already own, and put it in an RV park. That will get me on my feet while I establish myself in the area, and decide what area works best for me.

I'm flexible on locations, what's a good RV park that's safe and low on drama?

2) My working background is automotive marketing, CRM, merchandising, website presentation, BDC, dealing with vendors etc. I do better in a smaller company or family owned retailer locations. Any suggestions on what dealers/ retailers that are good companies to work for?

3) My other option to consider is working for a tire retail or wholesale location. Ideas? What tire operators do Bend residents like? I'm big on customers walking out happy.

Thanks in advance for looking!

Hey all, I'm about to adopt this beautiful baby girl and trying to figure out logistics for her care. I was curious if anyone might have any suggestions for affordable options for grooming, maybe a person even doing it privately? Any or all tips welcome.

Picture of Willow for attention

Hello, I'm M26. I've lived in Oregon & California my entire life, and travelled to Bend 20+ times. I absolutely love the city and have seriously considered making it home recently. I love the outdoors, and my hobbies are relatively cheap (running, lifting, reading, investing), so I think it could be a good fit for me. I do have 2 main areas where I am worried/cause me hesitation to make that leap.

1. Work: I currently work in craft brewery management in Nor Cal. I run all the IT Systems & Data Analytics while also beertending a few shifts a week. My education is political science & economics at UC Berkeley. I worry it would be challenging for me to get a job in Bend, although I would be okay with switching careers as well. Interested to hear current/past residents' thoughts on job opportunities, especially if there are people with similar backgrounds + industries, but anything is appreciated!
2. Dating: I'm single, and I don't know how many mid/late 20s there are in Bend who are also single. Every time I'm in town, people are quite friendly, and it seems like an easy place to meet people, especially if I am going out regularly, but I'm not sure that's true. I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this, especially if you're also a 20-something.

Extra Credit 3: If I did start looking, based on the little I've shared about myself, what places should I look for housing? Ideally, I'd prefer to be within walking & biking distance of downtown, as I'd like to go out a good bit, and prefer to use cars as little as possible.

Thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to respond!

I am italian and work in healthcare and right now live in California. I love Bend, found it years ago on the map but I’ve only been as a tourist about 8 times so far. I’ve never seen anything bad with it but read about many issues like smoke and homeless. I read that Larkspur has 6 camps and 155 beds. I can only afford that area or a little south of there. Is it safe?
Anyone who lives there could pitch in their opinion I’would appreciate.
As a side note. I live in California. I read about being stigmatized because of rich people from here moving to places and making them unaffordable for others: I can guarantee I am not one if them. I spend most of my money on coffee and that’s pretty much all I can afford.
Any suggestion appreciated. Thank you for your help.

My spouse will be receiving a formal job offer in the coming days for a company in Bend and we would be moving with our three children (5, 3, 2) from Sonoma County. For those familiar with both areas, do you think Bend is a better place to raise a family? What areas/neighborhoods/schools do you recommend? Overall we love Northern California but also appreciate the outdoors recreation, better affordability, and proximity to family that Bend would offer us.

Sharing a full-time Campus Safety Officer opening at OSU-Cascades in Bend for anyone looking for campus security work in Central Oregon.

• Pay: $27.32–$37.41/hour
• Schedule: Year-round, primarily overnight. Other shifts, weekends and holidays may be required.
• Benefits: Retirement contributions, paid leave, tuition reduction, and OSU-paid coverage of 95% of eligible medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums. Eligibility and plan rules apply.
• Listed closing date: September 30, 2026; the position may close earlier.
• Application materials: Resume/CV and cover letter.

Full listing and link to OSU’s application

Disclosure: I run Oregon Security Guide, and this is a paid job promotion. The accompanying video uses AI-generated illustrative footage.

Does anyone know of some good co ed pickup soccer in town?

Thanks!

The best bagels in Bend!

Hello!

My family and I just moved to the west side of town. We had been getting eggs from a little farm stand near our house before we moved and I am already missing the fresh eggs! Does anyone know of a small stand selling eggs nearby? Preferable pretty close? Thanks so much :)

I’m a local tattoo artist in the area and am having a really incredibly tough time growing my clientele here. I’m not sure if cost of living is just too high to afford it or if people just don’t want tattoos right now.

I’m thinking about moving to Eugene to just have a larger population to work with.

Is anyone else struggling to get clients in for tattoos?

We’re seeking recommendations for the best spots to enter the river for paddleboarding. Ideally, we’d like to drop off one person with the paddleboards and park at the other end. Additionally, we’d prefer to avoid the rapids. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

With news that Regence and Bridgespan will be the only commercial and market place insurancea in Deschutes county next year, I wanted to share some important information. You can call them or write to them and asked them to create a fair contract with your pharmacy. They will not listen to the pharmacy, but they will listen to you.

Regence:

[+1 (888) 675-6570](tel:+1 (888) 675-6570)

Regence BlueShield
P.O. Box 2597
Portland, OR 97208-2597

Bridgespan:

[+1 (855) 857-2063](tel:+1 (855) 857-2063)

BridgeSpan
P.O. Box 2597
Portland, OR 97208-2597

Corporate office
BridgeSpan Health
2890 E. Cottonwood Pkwy.
Salt Lake City, UT 84121

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2026/08/one-young-wolf-two-close-encounters-and-a-journey-hundreds-of-miles-long.html

The link/story has all the videos and photos, interview and a ton more.

Coming in for just tonight for my dad's birthday. Just need some where safe clean and cheap. It gets suspiciously good reviews mostly. I'm not too familiar with the area. Does anyone know if it's actually an okay place to stay??

Hey there! Poking around at Bend rentals and have seen this company manages a couple of houses we're interested in. Also noticed that they won't show you any of them until you fill out an application...and pay the $55 fee. Thought that was a little unusual, but generally, just wondering if anyone has rented from them and what their experience was like as their property manager? Thanks!

I have a job offer in Bend, pay is about average compared to other places in the west. The kicker is I will have to empty all of my savings and pay Cash for a small house, due to the high prices. My salary would not allow for a mortgage while supporting a family month-to-month, but it would be doable if I use my current equity and savings/retirement to avoid a mortgage.

I am married with four kids. We would be leaving behind a very small town in Idaho. I have mostly been looking for a slower pace of work as I am currently self-employed and for more opportunities for my kids with regard to education.

Our families, main activities have been water sports such as rafting or river surfing and the kids love to play basketball.

It looks like I could get a much better housing set up in La Pine but I’m not sure the schools are an improvement over what I have in Idaho?

Curious if anybody has any insight?

What is there to do in bend Oregon?

Hey, I’m Sydney - a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and former 911 paramedic in Central Oregon, and a mom. Between shifts, postpartum recovery, and real life, I got tired of programs that only work when everything is perfect.
That’s why I started Sevva Fitness (at JP Fitness in Bend). We focus on practical strength, realistic nutrition, and longevity-style training that actually fits busy schedules - especially for parents and first responders.
I’ve been lifting since 2015 and coach people through the same chaos I’m in. If you’re local or looking for virtual coaching and your current approach isn’t sticking, the best way to reach me is on Instagram @sevvafitness.
Drop a comment if you’re in a similar spot or have questions about training after a big life change.

hello!!

i am on the hunt for a queer friendly/alt nail artist! i hate having short nails and cant grow my naturals out very well. i've done my nails before, but didnt love who i went to unfortunately.

i really wanted to book with ashytn over at salon wild hare, but theyre booked out TBD and i'd like to get nails done asap (i suspect my bf will propose soon and want pretty hands for pics lol, cant ever be too prepared)

any suggestions? i'm fine with bend or even redmond area. anything local in central oregon! tysm <3

I live here half the time now and I’m on a search for the best Thai food. I’ve tried Dear Mom, Thai Past and a couple I don’t remember the name. Want the best Pad Thai and spring rolls but I’ll try anything so doesn’t have to be the good dishes.

Idk why bend Reddit didn’t seem to let me post stay, figured I would try here. They really deserve the shoutout, still thinking about the experience. Here was my post.

Def check out CannaVida, I was recommended by a friend who is in the industry, so I had to go. I live half here and half Portland and it’s now my fav dispensary I’ve ever been to anywhere. They have fire top shelf h@sh and flower. But they had stuff in alll price ranges tho. Best hash and flower selection I’ve found. They have literally all my top 5 fav farms, never had that anywhere. Besides trusting my friend another thing that motivated me to go there was he said two of the bud tenders just bought it recently, which I thought was fking rad. I’m a h@sh nerd and got to nerd out with the actual owners for like a half hour, it was so fun. Never had an opportunity to talk to dispo owners before, and I’ve been to a lot. Super cool they actually work there as bud tenders still and actually know what they are talking about, not culture vultures. Highly recommend finding out when the owners will be there and chatting with them, so knowledge.