Sisters is a hot spot for home-buying

Central Oregon just keeps on growing, but the city lately leading the way in population growth might surprise some. New estimates from Portland State University show Sisters had the highest growth rate among Central Oregon cities over the past year, at 4.8 percent.

“We’re very excited that we’re growing again,” Sisters Community Development Director Patrick Davenport said Wednesday.

He said the city has bounced back from the tough times that affected everyone to some degree.

“After the last recession, we’re seeing previously dormant subdivisions come back to life, and a lot of new development going on, and also some commercial and retail expansion,” he said.

Local business owners were also happy about the news.

“Well, I’m just glad to see I’m not the only one that’s done well this last couple of years,” said Sisters Bakery owner Melissa Ward. “And I talk to my colleagues in town as business people, and everyone is thriving, and I just think that’s wonderful.”

Ralle Johnson has worked at Antler Arts for 11 years, and said he gets why people would want to migrate to Sisters.

“I mean, you look around the area — it’s absolutely gorgeous,” he said.

Residents we talked to were happy to hear the town was growing, and weren’t worried about the added crime that can come with growth.

“Well, the only graffiti I’ve seen is sprayed on my propane tank out there — and it says ‘Sisters is rad,'” Ward said. “So that doesn’t sound too threatening.”

Increased traffic was the only problem mentioned by folks like Johnson, who said, “If Main Street or Cascade isn’t bumper to bumper, you kind of look and go, ‘What’s wrong?'”

The city will be looking for the community’s input about this issue in December, when officials work on their Transportation System Plan.

More information can be found at http://www.ci.sisters.or.us/