I start by saying I love the Source Weekly-it brings some great things to light. Like the article a couple of weeks ago about homelessness in Deschutes County. I feel very lucky to have a job. I also feel very frustrated because I’m in the transition of moving from Redmond to Bend for said job. The prices of rentals in Bend and in general in Deschutes County are ridiculous. I understand landlords have mortgage/upkeep payments and want to make a profit, but really? For all the “for rent” signs in Bend there shouldn’t be anybody that is homeless and those of us that are lucky enough to have a job shouldn’t be charged an arm and a leg for rent – we all know things suck right now in regards to the economy – what if local landlords/rental companies did their part to help out by cutting us a break? Just a thought from a frustrated renter.
H. Stewart
This article appears in Apr 16-22, 2009.
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I just moved from San Diego. The house I’m renting in Bend is less than half the rent I’m charging my tenants in Southern California.
The square footage & features are about the same.
I will have to respectfully disagree – while there are *some* overpriced rentals, on the whole Bend has decent rent prices. In the Seattle/Bellevue area this past year we paid almost $200 more than we do now for a tiny 1 bedroom just ok condo! We now have a 3 bedroom house that is over 3 times the space. So I would say count your blessings on the rents here, and know that among the rip-offs there are decent rents to be found. Best of luck.
Unless you are very rich, living in Bend and making ends meet are almost impossible. The working class has to pay more for everything to support the lavis lifestyles of the important ones. Takes half your income just to pay rent, and thats only if make a living wage income. People move to Bend for lifestyle and pretence, little do the realize when they get there, they wont be able to afford to enjoy what Bend has to offer cause they will have to work double duty to live there. I know many of you are thinking all the hiking and outdoors dont cost, wrong. You have to buy pass permits, parking permits ect. ect. Bend was ruined years ago and the future dont look any better.
These comments are pretty funny. Bend is not ruined. Bend is perfect. I moved here a couple years ago from San Jose, CA where I paid $1900 a month for what they called a “Junior Executive” apartment in a shady neighborhood. Square feet = 455. Imagine my excitement when could get a 2 bedroom house with a yard and a garage (not just one parking spot) for under $1000. Parking in some places was north of $65 a day, and that was to go to an office building, not a pristine wilderness for $3. Unfortunately for some, Bend will never again be a place that you can ride your horse through downtown. My advice would be to try someplace that is truly expensive for comparison. If your not willing to just realize that we all have it really really good, and start counting your blessings.
I, too, need to disagree. I am a transplant from the midwest & per square foot, my rent is the same as my mortgage was in a Chicago suburb. I have been in my rental for almost 3 years & have stayed there for convenience. There are many larger rentals available now, for less than what I am paying- as this is a buyer’s market, I also believe that it’s a renter’s market. Like everything else, you need to look for the deals because they are out there. Good luck!
The places you all have moved from also have better paying jobs. Central Oregon has never been know for a decent wage. That is whats driving up the rents, transplants that think its cheap.
Sadly, Bend has had big city prices since the 90’s. Those from big cities are willing to pay them thinking they are getting a ‘deal’. This is the ‘illness’ that infests this town. We want to be Seattle, we want to be San Jose, we want to be Aspen! But we are only little ol podunk Bend-over-again, Oregon. How many natives of the town do you know? Where did they all go? I’m headed south to warmer climes myself — after living here my entire life (40 yrs) — why? Because this isn’t Seattle, San Jose or Aspen and I’m very tired of paying for everything here as if it was. I’m headed where it’s warm, the cost of living is LOWER and the town is about the same size. Don’t ask me to tell you where, I’m hoping it stays a secret for a few more years.
I have a triplex apartment in the Columbia Gorge with great views of the Columbia River. 1100 sq feet, two bedrooms, all new carpet and linoleum. Dishwaher, range, refrigerator , washer/dryer and separate storage area. The widow I rented to has passed away. For 27 years I charged her $400 a month. So you tell me, what is it worth now? I’m thinking $750-$850. I have never raised the rent until the unit becomes vacant.