Bend

If you love the laid-back sensibility of the Pacific Northwest but need more sunshine than cloudy days, Bend may be the perfect community for you. As Oregon’s largest city to the east of the Cascade Mountains, Bend enjoys a lot more sunshine than its big-city neighbors to the west. Don’t let the largest-city moniker fool you, either—Bend’s total population is in the low six figures, and it’s considerably quieter and less busy than Portland, Salem or Eugene. What do Bend residents do with the relative lack of local development and beautiful sunny weather? They get outside! From fishing and golf to hiking and kayaking, there’s a form of outdoor recreation for everyone in Bend. When you get done enjoying the beautiful local scenery outdoors, you can take advantage of the city’s awesome local food and craft brewery scene.