Halloween in Bend, Oregon is one of the most fun times to enjoy your neighborhood. From decorations to parties and trick-or-treating it’s a festive night for families to see their neighbors and have some fun.
If you are a Halloween lover on the hunt for a new home, you might want to consider how festive each unique Bend neighborhood is on the spookiest of night of the year.
Every neighborhood is different. There are some that are more suited to the kind of fun little ghouls and goblins are looking for on October 31st. To narrow down our list, we enlisted the help of Re/Max Key Properties Broker Cindy King. Not only does she love Halloween and a great costume, but she also loves helping her clients find the perfect neighborhood for their family to build friendships and fun.
To help us determine the best neighborhoods for a fun Halloween in Bend, we asked Cindy King to look at these five categories:
- Density for the best candy-collecting results.
- Fun families that like to decorate.
- Small, slow-traffic streets with good lighting.
- Safe sidewalks for foot traffic.
- A built-in park or green space for trick-or-treating breaks.
- Bonus: A pizza shop or corner store for dinner.
The Best Neighborhoods For a Fun Halloween in Bend
Bend neighborhoods are divided into four quadrants: NW, SW, NE, SE. Each neighborhood has its own personality and amenities to suit your Halloween tastes.
In Northeast Bend
Close to amenities like Pilot Butte State Park, St. Charles Hospital, Costco and The Lot, Northeast Bend offers a unique combination of value, convenience, and growing restaurant selections.
MOUNTAIN VIEW is Bend’s easternmost neighborhood and filled with family-friendly subdivisions and parks like Tamarack Park. You’ll find tons of decorations and trick-or-treaters. Enjoy a quick dinner at the food carts in The Lot or meet friends at Hola! before heading to a party or candy-hunting adventure.
LAVA RIDGES is a smaller family-friendly neighborhood. Noted for its open area spaces and proximity to Pine Nursery Park and Ponderosa Elementary School, this neighborhood is also well-lit and offers safe sidewalks for little trick-or-treaters.
In Northwest Bend
Encompassing much of historic downtown Bend, Northwest is also home to the highly sought-after communities of Awbrey Butte and NW Crossing.
NORTHWEST CROSSING really comes to life on Halloween. This large, vibrant neighborhood home is walkable and safe. You’ll find homes with festive decorations, spooky lighting, and no shortage of candy. Known for its porches and friendly, close-knit neighbors, you’ll likely find residents enjoying the evening together in front of their homes as they hand out candy and take in the sights. Grab dinner or snacks at one of the many eateries on Northwest Crossing Drive or pop into the Grove for a quick coffee or cocktail.
THE PARKS AT BROKEN TOP is located between Broken Top and Tetherow on Bend’s west side. Like Northwest Crossing, this established neighborhood features mostly alley-fed garages that encourage pedestrian-friendly streets and sidewalks. Trick-or-treaters enjoy green spaces and beautiful mountain views.
In Southeast Bend
Once primarily small farms and acreage properties, Southeast Bend is now home to some of the newest communities in the city.
OLD FARM DISTRICT is a growing section of Bend and home to a few neighborhoods that are well-known for over-the-top decorations. Nottingham Square and King’s Forest subdivisions are quiet, dark, and sprawling. But a little further north on 15th and then east on Ferguson, and you’ll find a few neighborhoods that are big on spirit. Try Bonnie Bridge and Ladera Road.
THE BRIDGES is one of Bend’s newer and highly sought-after communities. This neighborhood is packed with families and almost has the feel of a resort community. Enjoy walking trails, water views, a sports center, pool, and a great location that is central to so much of Bend’s most popular attractions including candy-collecting on Halloween.
In Southwest Bend
SW Bend offers an abundance of established neighborhoods with large lots and mature trees. It’s also home to the new OSU-Cascades Campus.
RIVER RIM is a picturesque master planned community close to the Deschutes River. Nestled off of Brookswood Avenue, River Rim includes 456 residential lots (and lots of candy). Enjoy the natural beauty as well as the welcoming single-family homes. Because of its proximity to schools, River Rim is loaded with families and kids. Visit the nearby Brookswood Meadow Plaza for a last-minute candy run to the grocery store, or enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants.
No matter where you choose as your Halloween home-quarters in Bend, you’re bound to have a great time. Let us know if you need help choosing the neighborhood that’s perfect for your family.