What BestPlaces Users Say about Bellingham
Bellingham, Washington is a charming city located in the Pacific Northwest, known for its natural beauty, thriving arts scene, and diverse community. With a population of over 90,000, it offers a mix of small-town charm and big-city amenities. Many people are drawn to Bellingham for its access to outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, and water sports, as well as its proximity to Seattle and Vancouver, BC. However, like any city, it has its pros and cons. The following user reviews provide a diverse perspective on living in Bellingham.
According to John D., "Bellingham is a fantastic place to live. It's a tight-knit community with a strong focus on sustainability and the environment. I love being able to go hiking or kayaking in the morning and then grab a delicious meal at one of the local restaurants in the evening. It's also great to have easy access to bigger cities like Seattle when I want a change of pace."
On the other hand, Sarah M. has a different viewpoint. "I moved to Bellingham a year ago and I have to say, I'm a bit disappointed. The job market is limited and the cost of living is higher than I expected. The downtown area is cute, but there's not much to do outside of that. Plus, the constant rain can be draining. I'm considering moving back to the East Coast."
Another resident, Lisa T., shares her thoughts, "Bellingham is a wonderful place to raise a family. The schools are top-notch and there are plenty of family-friendly activities and events. We also love the small-town feel and being surrounded by nature. However, it can be a bit isolating for young adults. I wish there were more opportunities for socializing and meeting new people."
One reviewer, Mark B., sums up the pros and cons of living in Bellingham, saying, "I've lived in Bellingham for 10 years now and overall, I really enjoy it. The natural beauty is unbeatable and the community is welcoming. However, the cost of housing has skyrocketed in recent years and the traffic can be a nightmare during peak times. It's a trade-off, but for me, the pros outweigh the cons."
Overall, the reviews about living in Bellingham are mixed, with some residents praising its outdoor amenities and community feel, while others express concerns about job opportunities and costs. Ultimately, it seems that Bellingham may be a great fit for those who enjoy a slower pace of life and being surrounded by nature, but may not be the best choice for those seeking a bustling city with endless job opportunities.
based on 58 ReviewsGet to know Bellingham with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Bellingham
~ Bohemia ~ .. Take it or Leave it ! - 10/19/2019
All reviews will be biased by personal experience. Clearly mine is coloured by living amidst intentional communities. *There are many, here*, however, and you might benefit from an overview of what that scene contributes, in a larger community that leans more teamwork- & connectivity-oriented anyway.
(It /is/ possible to manifest productive isolation, in some respects, but i personally afforded that by living out of my car. You also could barter someone landkeeping for a secluded place; it's very tradey here, when you want it to be.)
~ Culture ~
-•Rich•-
People often live communally. If that doesn't work for you, it may be less affordable than otherwise- check that index, of course.
There is a lot of creativity basically everywhere you go, here. Even the bar scene (which is usually something i personally loathe) feels a great deal more whimsical, amusing, and generally worth seeing.
If you think outside
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Subdued Excitement - 4/20/2019
Bellingham calls itself "The City of Subdued Excitement." You have to ask yourself, why is the excitement so subdued?
First of all, it's too damn expensive. Unless you want to live in a condo, it's nearly impossible to buy a good property within the city if you're not making at least $100k and/or have cashed in somewhere else. Very challenging market for first-time homebuyers. Much of the available housing is old, shabby, and needs renovation. Low-income and even middle-income people who didn't acquire property decades ago are quite bitter about housing costs. For newcomers, salaries are generally not equal to the cost of living, even at the university, where I know people with professional degrees who have to work a second job to make ends meet.
Renting is a nightmare. Apartment vacancy is extremely low, and there is always high competition for apartments from students. Everybody has stories about predatory landlords. Good luck finding pet-friendly
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Boring, Not Progressive, and Overpriced - 3/19/2019
This is not a progressive or forward-thinking town. It’s more of the place that follows trends set by others. It seems like all the white hipsters that couldn’t make it in Portland languish here, brewing beer, smoking a ton of weed, working 10 hours a week if at all, preaching values that they don’t actually act upon (There are exceptions of course, but this is the trend). Don’t expect a Seattle or Portland vibe-this place is surprisingly uptight and narrow-minded. Don’t let the nose rings and tattoos fool you. Very little diversity; a Lily white town.
As the vacancy rate for rentals is less than 1%, you will be at the mercy of slumlords and crooked property management companies, competing with privileged college kids for rentals, unless you are wealthy enough to buy...houses are starting at over $400k. As a result, there is almost no middle class, an overwhelming amount of homeless roaming the streets for the size of the town, and countless homeless camps in parks
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Love Bellingham - 11/1/2018
I’ve lived all over the US & Bellingham was one of my favorites overall. I’d move back if I
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Worst place I have ever lived - 8/20/2018
I cannot emphasize strongly enough why you should NOT move to Bellingham. There is NOTHING that living in this city adds to my life that is worth the cost and annoyance of living here. Real estate isn't as bad as Seattle but it is still out of control, and my rent just went up 20% (uh, whose salary goes up 20% per year?!?). Most of the restaurants are average at best. Crazy number of rednecks and just plain weird people. Entertainment scene is boring and you have to drive at least two hours to get to Seattle. Bipolar climate with nine months of constant gloom and three months of constant sun. Getting out as soon as I
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Beautiful Bellingham - 8/11/2017
Close to snowcapped mountains and the excitement of Vancouvet, B C, Bellingham has,a relatively mild climate and an active cultural scene. We do pay for the serene green forests and wildlife with days of showers but by mid-summer I find myself ready to perform a rain dance. I moved here from San Diego and love the change. It is a much more sustainable environment. The scenery is
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Great combination of benefits and nice people - 5/8/2017
After visiting and owning property there for 13 years, we have selected Bellingham as our retirement location. It has a combination of physical beauty, access to a university and incredibly friendly people that have impressed us. That it sits between Vancouver and Seattle is also a big plus. We have visited throughout the year, and know the winter months will be cloudy and grey. However, we may use January and February as months to be in a sunnier location, and I think it will work out.
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It all depends - 4/7/2017
If you do not like liberalism, rain and clouds, cold and trees, you might not like it here. Housing prices are getting up there. Unless you are from Seattle, SD, LA, etc, you are in store for price shock. If you like outdoor activities, this is a good place. I like hiking and there are too many places to hike within 100 square miles. Food and services are a bit expensive. Bellingham is dog friendly and child friendly. Predatory crime is low, but property crime and thefts are high. Gang violence is moving in from Mount
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Great place.............for the wealthy - 12/28/2016
Bellingham is God's country, don't get me wrong. What it has in beauty and things to do outdoors, it more than makes up for in cost of living and sources of revenue. We have lived here for 4 years now and we quickly figured out that the people that make ends meet here are those that come from "old money". A quick Sperling search will yield that the average house value is $375,000 and the average household income is $56,000. Not even close to making ends meet. Unless you are a successful real estate broker that has been in the area for a while, or an executive at BP, Phillips 66, Intalco or the College, good luck. Every other job in the area is under $20/hr. The schools are really behind national average, despite the ratings you see. We came from the Midwest when our child was in third grade. She is on the advanced side, but she finally started to learn new concepts in 6th grade. The elementary school she attended had an advanced program, but it consisted of sitting her in
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Bellingham rocks - 5/20/2015
the college and town are awesome. Chuckanut is cool drive. Great getaway from Vancouver BC or Seattle for a
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