New Redmond residents move to growing community

Published 12:15 am Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Roughly 50 years after incorporation, Redmond had less than 5,000. But in the last five decades, the city has grown rapidly and now tops out as the home to more than 37,000 people.

The explanation for this rise in population can be boiled down to a handful of reasons, including local job opportunities, the city’s ready access to the outdoors, a generous offering of family-friendly events and the deep-rooted sense of community shared between residents.

Many of the newcomers have found the city to be an attractive location due to already having relatives in the area.

This was the case for Brenda Shelley, who moved from San Diego to Redmond to be closer to her children. Two years later, she’s still in the city.

“My son moved to this area with a friend for a (job) opportunity,” Shelley said. “My employment and my children (have kept me here).”

In addition to having local family, Shelley is drawn to Redmond’s expansive views and easy access to nature.

“The whole reason I moved here was to … enjoy the horses, the cattle and the view of the beautiful mountains,” she said.

Although Shelley doesn’t have any livestock of her own, her daughter lives across the street from a ranch. That means she has the chance to watch the animals every time she visits.

This adoration of nature is shared by Elias Binggeli, who moved to Redmond three months ago after growing up in Reinach, Switzerland.

“I love the mountains. Getting up in the morning, getting in your car, and you see the mountains, that’s one of my favorite parts,” he said.

Along with taking in the natural sights, Binggeli is a fan of cycling, skiing and hiking. He enjoys the trails at Cline Butte — just outside Redmond city limits — the most.

Binggeli came to Redmond to be closer to his wife’s family. She grew up in the area before moving away for a few years. The couple met in Australia while participating in Youth with a Mission, a Christian organization focused on training young adults to become missionaries.

Faith is an essential part of Binggeli’s life. He said the church his family attends is one of the major reasons he’s remained in Redmond along with a good job, family connections and the city’s friendly citizens. Despite not being from the United States, he appreciates how Redmond puts out American flags on specific holidays, claiming it symbolizes that people love what they’re doing and are proud of their community.

Another new Redmond resident, Matthew Barnes, was drawn to the city’s patriotic displays and deep link to families. Barnes and his wife moved from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Redmond because they felt the city was the perfect location to raise children:

“(We) enjoy the environment,” said Barnes. “It’s a great place to bring up the kids.”

During his family’s nearly two years in the city, Barnes has found it incredibly easy to get involved in community events, with his children already participating in swimming lessons, gymnastics and basketball.

Barnes and his wife are big music fans. The couple routinely takes trips to General Duffy’s Waterhole to eat at the food trucks and enjoy the various concerts performed at the venue. Despite everything that’s going on in the city, Barnes said Redmond still feels like a simple, straightforward place.

“Redmond (still has that) nice, small-town feel.” he said. “(It’s) easy to navigate and understand, but there’s still lots of places to go do things … lots of concerts and different activities going on all the time.”

The active-yet-calm aspect of the city also appeals to Elia Whitaker, who left Lorain, Ohio, to come to Redmond five years ago when her husband was offered a job.

Since then, she’s fallen in love with the community, finding it significantly quieter and safer than where she’s lived before.

“The aspect of community, and how people are here, is way different than back home,” Whitaker said. “(Everyone) is friendlier, and they’re really big on community and family around here.”

Even though they are new residents, Shelley, Binggeli, Barnes and Whitaker have already noticed the city is changing.

“When I first moved, there was more country, and now it’s just boomed with a lot of newer apartments,” said Shelley.

Binggeli has also recognized that some historical locations have been demolished and modified, which differs from his cultural experience in Switzerland.

“(People) don’t understand how much is destroyed when you tear down an old place and build something new,” he said. “If you can preserve some of the old stuff, and then give it to the new generation, and say ‘Look, that is where we come from,’ it’s easier for the younger generation to connect to the older generation.”

Additionally, Whitaker believes the city’s school district should be restructured to provide teachers with more help and resources, especially when it comes to teaching nonwhite children from the community.

While the reasons for emigrating to Redmond are numerous, so too are the reasons to stay.

“You have everything you need here,” said Binggeli.