MEET THE COMMUNITY
Jason Smith
Anita Stelle
Photos by Liz O’Connell/For the Spokesman
Our town
Residents find what’s to love about Redmond: ‘It’s a little pocket of paradise’
BY LIZ O’CONNELL
For the Redmond Spokesman
mall-town charm and big city amenities combine to
be a main reason why people keep visiting — and
then finding ways to stay — in Redmond. Between
the quaint downtown and beautiful landscapes that sur-
round it, Redmond has become a destination for people
from all over the state and country.
The small-town vibe makes some residents feel like
they’re stepping back in time. At least it does for Jason
Smith, who moved to Redmond in 2018. Originally from
Forest Grove, Smith said the Redmond lifestyle takes him
back to his childhood.
“Growing up in the ‘80s we didn’t lock our doors and left
our keys in the car,” Smith said. “I kind of feel like this is a
place where that still exists.”
Safety and schools were major reasons why Smith and
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his wife decided to move to the area, especially when they
started talking about having children. The slower pace, com-
pared to different cities he’s lived in, was another bonus.
After living in Bend for a couple of years and deciding that
the town wasn’t for them, the Smiths began looking into
Redmond, Sunriver and Prineville.
“We went downtown (Redmond) and to an old coffee
shop,” Smith said. “It was cool just seeing how people were
so involved with the community and how small it felt but it
was growing.”
That’s when the Smiths were sold on Redmond.
“It’s a little pocket of paradise,” said Jason.
A similar situation happened to Oakridge-native Anita
Stelle.
She frequented the area often when she was young, with
family living in Camp Sherman and near Powell Butte.
“One year, in particular, on the way home (to Portland) I