http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2011/04/best-towns-2011?photo=1 #1 - Bend, Oregon Surrounded by millions of acres of Forest Service land, grassland and wetlands, and hundreds of miles of fishable rivers and streams—and with nearly 300 sun-filled days a year to enjoy this embarrassment of sporting riches—Bend, Oregon, tops this year’s list of the best towns for sportsmen. All of that public hunting and fishing acreage surrounds a vibrant and growing city. Bend is by no means quaint, with roughly 80,000 people currently calling it home; that the population has grown nearly 50 percent in the past decade is a great indicator of a thriving community. At the same time, the median household income in Bend has risen 30 percent since 2000, to $53,177, and the cost of living here is right at the national average, if not a hair below. In this unique landscape, where the Cascade Mountains meet the high desert, upland hunters chase quail, pheasants and chukar across a variety of terrain. Big-game hunters never run out of opportunities for elk, mule deer, antelope and black bears in the Deschutes, Willamette and Ochoco national forests. If it’s waterfowl that gets you out of bed in the morning, you’ll appreciate great gunning for all the species that course the Pacific Flyway each fall. Coldwater anglers really have it good in Bend as well, with legendary waterways like the Deschutes, Crooked and Metolius rivers, and smaller streams like Fall River, holding healthy populations of big redsided rainbow and bull trout. Big waters, like Wickiup Reservoir and Paulina Lake, are home to enormous brown trout and plentiful kokanee salmon. A short drive to the Lower Deschutes will get you into salmon and steelhead, and a 3 1⁄2-hour jaunt will put you in coastal towns like Newport, where you can enjoy all of the Pacific Northwest’s saltwater fishing. If your roll cast is rusty, head to the local Orvis store in the Old Mill district, where an 18-hole fly-casting course lets you practice your skills in a variety of settings similar to those you’ll find on the waters around Bend. If thinking about the abundant hunting and fishing opportunities in and around Bend is making you thirsty, you’ll be glad to know that downtown is home to eight craft beer breweries, linked by what is known as the “Bend Ale Trail.”
I sometimes kick myself that I didn't move there instead of back to Idaho. Too late to make that move now, but it really is a nice area if you can find work there.
It's a great time to buy in Bend and trade up. Conversely, as I'm finding, it's a bad to to sell in Bend to get that upgrade.
I enjoy visiting Bend once a year - but living there long term would drive me nuts. Having lived in large metropolitan areas in the past - I find that I do not need to be in a super-urban area like NYC or London - but I do like having access to a city services - so a smaller city or suburbs of a city are probably the place for me.
Well, it's a great time to buy a second home/condo in Bend, and rent it out when you aren't visiting. That's what we did 8 years ago, and prices are just above what I paid at that time, after a huge inflated bubble that popped a few years ago.
If I cared to go there more than once a year - it would make sense. I do not - so that's really not an option for me. I can see the appeal for others however. Bend is a fun place to visit, no doubt. I need sun and warmth and a beach however - I would have done just that with the Oregon coast if it was warmer.
thats kinda how I feel about Hood River.. I love having the access to Portland that I do from where I'm at, but I dont have to deal with the city life. Yet I'm close enough to where I can make a spontaneous trip to Portland (i.e. the game on Thursday) Almost moved to Bend when I was 19 or so, but wouldnt have had that option. Plus the girlfriend there didnt work out lol
I will someday live in Bend. I love it there. My family goes to Bend and Sunriver about 4-5 times a year.
I was born and raised in Bend. I grew up there back when the population was 18,000 people. It is a truly great and beautiful place. Having said that... Stay the F*&k out! Especially if you are a Californian. There have been too many of you people moving there already. Thanks.
I go a few times a year. I remember going there as a little kid and it was significantly smaller than it is now. In 10-15 years it will probably be approaching good sized city status.
I'm shocked, in this day and age, that the massive acreage that is owned by the state and dedicated to hunting and fishing hasn't resulted in a thriving metropolis. Oh, wait. That was the 1700's. Ed O.
Depends on your definition of thriving. I've been thriving ever since I got here. It's like a fountain of youth. Most people who live here aren't much impressed with the supposed advantages of big city life and corporate ladder-climbing. Now that things have corrected fairly well here, we're not all that interested in seeing another big boom and bust. Too much drama, and it takes away from time for fishing and hunting.
I was kidding, pretty much. I totally respect that people have different priorities, and communities should reflect that, as well. Ed O.
To be accurate, the public land over here is owned by all Americans, as it is federal land. The State of Oregon owns land mostly on the west side. While limited hunting and fishing are allowed on it for fees, it is actually dedicated to providing massive subsidies to the timber, livestock, mining, gas, oil, electric, geothermal, and food industries at the taxpayer's expense.
Spring is here and our resident her of 20 or so elk are back in the neighborhood, spending the last 2 evenings sleeping in my backyard.
