| Bend Oregon is one of the best places to retire in the | | | | literally ski in the morning and golf in the afternoon. |
| United States. It has everything a retired person could | | | | Known as "the sunny side of Oregon," the Cascade |
| want. The recreational opportunities are abundant; | | | | Mountains act as a protective buffer, giving Bend only |
| everything from mountain biking, hiking, rafting, golfing, | | | | 12 inches of precipitation per year. That compares to |
| fishing, rock climbing, camping, downhill and cross | | | | 42" for Portland, 36" for Seattle and 20" for San |
| country skiing, snowmobiling, general sightseeing and | | | | Francisco. |
| much more. | | | | St. Charles Medical Center is located in Bend and is |
| The weather is perfect. Moderate days and cool | | | | the regional referral center for more than 230,000 |
| nights characterize Bend's year-round climate. | | | | people in a 32,000-square-mile area of central and |
| Because of the high altitude and clear air, nighttime | | | | eastern Oregon. With more than 240 physicians on its |
| temperatures average 30 to 40 degrees below the | | | | medical staff, representing 40 specialties and |
| daytime highs. Evenings are generally cool, even in the | | | | sub-specialties, and more than 1,950 caregivers, it |
| summer, requiring sweaters or jackets. Annual | | | | provides many services usually found only in larger |
| temperature extremes show that only one year out of | | | | urban areas. These include open heart and |
| five has a temperature colder than 17 below or | | | | neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer care, inpatient |
| warmer than 100 degrees. Frost can occur during any | | | | rehabilitation for stroke and major injury, sophisticated |
| summer month. | | | | imaging technologies and more. |
| The average annual precipitation in Bend is less than 12 | | | | St. Charles is Oregons' only level 2 trauma center east |
| inches, over half falls between November and | | | | of the Cascade Mountains and has the region's only |
| February, often as snow. Brief thunderstorms usually | | | | Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. The hospital |
| provide most of the light summer rain. The average | | | | increased its inpatient bed capacity to 216 in late 2004 |
| annual snowfall is 33.8 inches. Snow rarely | | | | to keep pace with Central Oregon's population growth |
| accumulates to more than a few inches in depth nor | | | | and is in the midst of expansions in facilities, technology |
| lies on the ground for an extended period. Snow depth | | | | and equipment. |
| in Bend exceeds 24 inches in only one winter out of | | | | St. Charles and the many other medical facilities in |
| twenty. At Mt. Bachelor, the ski resort 22 miles | | | | Bend provide state of the art health care for the |
| southwest of Bend, snow normally reaches depths of | | | | retired person. Many of the nations top Physicians and |
| 160 to 180 inches. | | | | Surgeons live in Bend because of the life style found in |
| Bend was originally called Farewell Bend and received | | | | Central Oregon. |
| its name because it was at this place that travelers | | | | Bend also has golf courses for everyone. Central |
| over the pioneer roads had their last view of the river. | | | | Oregon's spectacular high-desert landscape and ideal |
| Today it is only a few hours drive to the Oregon | | | | climate, four-star resorts, public, semi-private and |
| Coast. Portland is 3.5 hours away if you are looking for | | | | private courses have been rated 23rd in the world as |
| a big city. Redmond International Airport (Roberts Field) | | | | a golf destination by Golf Digest. Choose from more |
| is only 16 miles North. | | | | than 25 unique courses, some easygoing to |
| Bend is nearly the geographic center of the state and | | | | championship layouts like Sunriver's Crosswater |
| is also the most populated city in Central Oregon with | | | | course, designed to challenge even the lowest |
| a population of more then 75,000. To the east you will | | | | handicappers. |
| find high desert vegetation and to the west, Bend is | | | | Bend also has many volunteer opportunities. Habitat for |
| surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land. At an elevation | | | | Humanity, The Oregon High Desert Museum, Hospice, |
| of 3,628 feet, Bend enjoys the predominately dry | | | | and Saint Charles Medical Center are only a few of |
| climate of the Great Basin. Sunny days, low humidity | | | | the many opportunities to give back to the community. |
| and cool nights provide the most common weather | | | | Bend Oregon real estate prices are still moderate |
| pattern. | | | | compared to some parts of the nation. The median |
| Bend has the highest average number of sunny days | | | | home price is around $350,000. Real estate prices |
| in the state. Clear days average 158 days per year | | | | have been rising steadily over the past decade |
| with an additional 105 days that are mostly sunny. | | | | because Bend is such a wonderful place to live and |
| Many of the remaining days provide substantial | | | | retire. |
| sunshine. Days that are totally cloudy do not often | | | | If you are thinking of moving when you retire give |
| occur. Bend is the outdoor recreation capitol of | | | | Bend Oregon strong consideration. It is a great place to |
| Oregon, with snow-capped peaks dominating the | | | | live. |
| skyline. Bend is one of few places that visitors can | | | | |