| Bend Oregon is one of the best places to retire in | | | | is one of few places that visitors can literally ski in |
| the United States. It has everything a retired person | | | | the morning and golf in the afternoon. Known as "the |
| could want. The recreational opportunities are | | | | sunny side of Oregon," the Cascade Mountains act as |
| abundant; everything from mountain biking, hiking, | | | | a protective buffer, giving Bend only 12 inches of |
| rafting, golfing, fishing, rock climbing, camping, downhill | | | | precipitation per year. That compares to 42" for |
| and cross country skiing, snowmobiling, general | | | | Portland, 36" for Seattle and 20" for San Francisco. |
| sightseeing and 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° below | | | | medical staff, representing 40 specialties and |
| the daytime highs. Evenings are generally cool, even | | | | sub-specialties, and more than 1,950 caregivers, it |
| in the summer, requiring sweaters or jackets. Annual | | | | provides many services usually found only in larger |
| temperature extremes show that only one year out | | | | urban areas. These include open heart and |
| of five has a temperature colder than -17° or | | | | neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer care, inpatient |
| warmer than 100°. Frost can occur during any | | | | rehabilitation for stroke and major injury, |
| summer month. | | | | sophisticated imaging technologies and more. |
| The average annual precipitation in Bend is less than | | | | St. Charles is Oregons' only level 2 trauma center |
| 12 inches, over half falls between November and | | | | east of the Cascade Mountains and has the region's |
| February, often as snow. Brief thunderstorms usually | | | | only Level 3 neonatal intensive care unit. The hospital |
| provide most of the light summer rain. | | | | increased its inpatient bed capacity to 216 in late |
| The average annual snowfall is 33.8 inches. Snow | | | | 2004 to keep pace with Central Oregon's population |
| rarely accumulates to more than a few inches in | | | | growth and is in the midst of expansions in facilities, |
| depth nor lies on the ground for an extended period. | | | | technology and equipment. |
| Snow depth in Bend exceeds 24 inches in only one | | | | St. Charles and the many other medical facilities in |
| winter out of twenty. At Mt. Bachelor, the ski resort | | | | Bend provide state of the art health care for the |
| 22 miles southwest of Bend, snow normally reaches | | | | retired person. Many of the nations top Physicians |
| depths of 160 to 180 inches. | | | | and Surgeons live in Bend because of the life style |
| Bend was originally called Farewell Bend and received | | | | found in 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 | | | | Oregon's spectacular high-desert landscape and ideal |
| river. Today it is only a few hours drive to the | | | | climate, four-star resorts, public, semi-private and |
| Oregon Coast. Portland is 3 ½ hours away if | | | | private courses have been rated 23rd in the world as |
| you are looking for a big city. Redmond International | | | | a golf destination by Golf Digest. Choose from more |
| Airport (Roberts Field) is only 16 miles North. | | | | than 25 unique courses, some easygoing to |
| Bend is nearly the geographic center of the state | | | | championship layouts like Sunriver's Crosswater |
| and is also the most populated city in Central Oregon | | | | course, designed to challenge even the lowest |
| with a population of more then 75,000. To the east | | | | handicappers. |
| you will find high desert vegetation and to the west, | | | | Bend also has many volunteer opportunities. Habitat |
| Bend is surrounded by U.S. Forest Service land. At an | | | | for Humanity, The Oregon High Desert Museum, |
| elevation of 3,628 feet, Bend enjoys the | | | | Hospice, and Saint Charles Medical Center are only a |
| predominately dry climate of the Great Basin. Sunny | | | | few of the many opportunities to give back to the |
| days, low humidity and cool nights provide the most | | | | community. |
| common weather pattern. | | | | Bend Oregon real estate prices are still moderate |
| Bend has the highest average number of sunny days | | | | compared to some parts of the nation. The median |
| in the state. Clear days average 158 days per year | | | | home price is around $350,000. Real estate prices |
| with an additional 105 days that are mostly sunny. | | | | have been rising steadily over the past decade |
| Many of the remaining days provide substantial | | | | because Bend is such a wonderful place to live and |
| sunshine. Days that are totally cloudy do not often | | | | retire. |
| occur. | | | | If you are thinking of moving when you retire give |
| Bend is the outdoor recreation capitol of Oregon, | | | | Bend Oregon strong consideration. It is a great place |
| with snow-capped peaks dominating the skyline. Bend | | | | to live. |