Generally the West side is the most desirable.. The growth is limited due to the close proximity of Public lands, but the east is very nice and has better prices for nicer homes. It is a drier climate has you move closer to the east side, so depending on what you are interested in as far as trees and snow... it also gets a bit less snow. Most of the growth is on the East side and moving NE towards Redmond. Infact I believe Redmond is growing at a faster rate than Bend at this time due to the lower cost of housing.
The largest employers are St. Charles Hospital and Mt. Bachelor Ski resort. Starting to get some software companies and website developement Companies. Some outdoor good's website companies are also located here...
We have several links on our website that have additional Bend area info...

Wed May 21 2008, 18:53

the northwest is the best area. You might pay more for a home there than you would in the other area but it's because it has the best school and best location, and therfore will have the highest re-sale value over time.

Tue May 20 2008, 09:57

Bend calls itself the outdoor recreation capitol of Oregon, where visitors and residents can literally ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. Outdoor activities run the gamut, from hot air ballooning to hiking and other winter sports to relaxing fishing on glassy lakes.

Known as "the sunny side of Oregon", the Cascade mountains act as a protective buffer, giving Bend only 12 inches of precipitation per year, say officials. That compares to 42" for Portland, 36" for Seattle and 20" for San Francisco.

Bend has slowly changed its economy from wood products to tourism. A healthy dose of high tech, manufacturing, health care and professional services, is providing job growth which in turn is spurring housing.

"The Old Mill District is now the "hot spot" for retail merchants and many new craftsman style offices are springing up - mostly in the $1.50+/SF range. Westside Bend still outpaces the other areas in terms of "desirability" to builders. The new $30 million Summit High School in NW Bend is particularly attractive and indicative of our strong tax base. Lots for building new homes aren't plentiful, and prices for good lots are continuing to climb rapidly."

Thu Aug 9 2007, 13:01