Bend and the Central Oregon Area  

People are catching on to the Central Oregon Lifestyle. What exactly is the Central Oregon lifestyle? It surely has something to do with the region’s recreational splendors, including world-class skiing and snowboarding on Mt. Bachelor, camping and boating on the region’s numerous lakes and rivers, rock climbing at world-renowned Smith Rock, premier golfing at over 16 courses, whitewater-rafting, kayaking, fishing, hunting…Yet there is more to this lifestyle than its outdoor recreation. Perhaps it has something to do with Bend’s many fine restaurants, art galleries, shops, bars, and summer music festivals in beautiful Drake Park. Both Downtown Bend and the Old Mill District offer up fine dining, shopping and entertainment in historic and beautiful settings. Perhaps it is the vitality and vibrancy of a city that has literally exploded economically in the past ten years and now rivals the cultural and recreational meccas of Aspen, Sun Valley, and Lake Tahoe. Then again, maybe it all comes down to the scent of pine and sage on the evening air, the sun setting on the majestic, snow-capped Cascade Mountains, a glass of fine wine in hand and good times spent with old friends. We invite you to get in on the Central Oregon lifestyle today! 

Location
Bend’s location on the eastern slope of the Cascade Mountains results in a drier, milder and sunnier climate than western Oregon. Bend is also the largest city in Oregon west of the Cascade Mountains and serves as the economic and cultural capital of the Central Oregon region. The Redmond Airport is located only twenty minutes away from Bend and provides connections to a number of major airports in the Pacific Northwest.  

Bend’s location also results in a wide range of diverse geographical environments. To the west and south, a twenty-minute drive leads you into mountainous pine country with many clear, quick-flowing streams and deep alpine lakes. Here you’ll find excellent skiing, camping, hiking, boating, and fishing opportunities. To the north and east you’ll find classic “high desert” country, with long rolling plains of sage and juniper interspersed with dramatically carved canyons leading down to rivers like the Deschutes and the Crooked River, excellent for fishing and rafting.
 

History
Historically, “Farewell Bend” served as a logging town on the banks of the Deschutes River. The legacy of its logging history can be seen today in the Old Mill District, where three silver smokestacks loom above the city and numerous unique red-brick and red-wood factory and storage buildings dot the river shore. Many of these buildings are functional and serve as restaurants and stores. Although Bend is now a booming tourist and recreation town of 65,000 residents, its community has repeatedly demonstrated concern for the preservation of its history and natural resources, and the Old Mill District is just one testament to that concern.
 

Education
Bend has 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools serving the Bend-La Pine School District. Central Oregon Community College and Oregon State University – Cascades Campus serve higher education needs. 

Health Care
Bend provides superior hospital facilities and health care professionals through its St. Charles Medical Center, which was recently ranked among the Top 15 hospitals in the nation. 

For more pictures of Bend and Central Oregon, please visit the Photo Gallery 

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