Jed Peters Blog

Coming from and growing up in major metropolitan areas, my first and most dominant association with the word petrichor was the smell of rain on asphalt. The scent would drift in ahead of a storm when you were downwind, a faint metallic sweetness riding the air. Or it would rise up after the rain stopped, steam lifting from dark pavement and carrying that familiar urban perfume.

When I arrived in Bend, Oregon in late summer, I experienced something entirely different.

The first storm rolled through and I was overwhelmed by a scent I did not yet have language for. It was sage. It was juniper. It was dry high desert earth finally meeting rain. I would later understand it as a Central Oregon expression of petrichor, but in that moment it simply felt alive.

I have come to think of it as the signature scent of Bend and the surrounding Central Oregon high desert.

What Is Petrichor

Petrichor is the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil. Plant o...

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Why Oregon Is America's Top Moving Destination and What It Means for Bend

There is a noticeable shift happening across the country.

In 2025, Oregon officially became the number one inbound state in America. Nearly 65 percent of interstate moves involving Oregon were inbound. More people are choosing to move here than leave.

And here in Bend, we are feeling it.

This is not just a spike. It reflects a broader recalibration in how Americans are deciding where to live.

A Different Reason to Move

For years, relocation was primarily about jobs. Transfers. Promotions. Corporate ladders.

Today, the motivations are more layered.

The top reasons Americans moved in 2025 were:

• Closer to family
• New job or company transfer
• Retirement
• Lifestyle change

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What's in the February 2026 Bend Premier Newsletter?

• Lower Prices and Fewer Sales as Buyer Interest Rebuilds
• Cozy Braised Short Ribs
• The One Room at a Time Spring Prep Strategy
• The Biggest Mistakes Homebuyers Are Making Right Now

The Bend, Oregon real estate market has always moved to its own rhythm. Shaped by geography, lifestyle, and a steady stream of people drawn here for similar reasons, it rarely behaves like larger metro markets. Right now, that rhythm is defined by limited inventory and consistent demand.

Buyers moving to Bend often arrive with a strong sense of place in mind. Walkable neighborhoods. Proximity to trails, schools, or downtown. A home that feels connected to how they want to live day-to-day. That focus means well-located homes continue to draw attention, even as pricing and interest rates fluctuate.

Pricing in Bend varies widely, and not just by square footage or finish level. Neighborhood context matters. So does condition, layout, and how a home fits into daily routines. Buyers who take time to understand how different parts of Bend actually function tend to make more conf...

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I Want to Move to Central Oregon… Can I Handle the Weather?

If you're thinking about moving to Central Oregon, chances are you've already pictured it: blue skies, pine trees, mountain views, coffee in hand, trailhead five minutes away.

Then the doubt creeps in.

But can I actually handle the weather?

Short answer: maybe—and that's okay to figure out honestly.
Long answer: let's talk about what Central Oregon weather is really like, season by season, without the hype or the horror stories.

The Big Surprise: How Sunny It Is

One of the biggest shocks for newcomers is how much sun we get.

Central Oregon averages 300+ days of sunshine a year. Even in winter, it's common to have bright blue skies after a storm. Snow falls, then the sun comes out like nothing happened.

If you're comin...

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