We're researching cost of living differences and such while contemplating a move to the Bellingham area in the next year. We currently live in Anchorage, AK which has a reputation of being a terribly expensive place to live, but in the last 10 years has really evened out with the Seattle and Portland vacinities.
We're currently studying housing. We'd rent initially, and hopefully buy when the new jobs are solid and we're positive we've moved to the right community to raise our child (to be born in Jan. 08).
Can you please help me to understand the neighborhoods and outlying communities of the area? We'd be looking to rent a 3 bedroom, hopefully 2 bath. Ideally we'd like some outdoor space as well. We aren't opposed to a moor urbanesque dwelling if there are park areas near by (which can't really be a problem in the area, can it?).
We're in our late 30's, an IT and New Media professional, respectively. We're eager for a change...
Any advice on neighborhoods to focus on for a small socially progressive family would be much appreciated!
We're currently studying housing. We'd rent initially, and hopefully buy when the new jobs are solid and we're positive we've moved to the right community to raise our child (to be born in Jan. 08).
Can you please help me to understand the neighborhoods and outlying communities of the area? We'd be looking to rent a 3 bedroom, hopefully 2 bath. Ideally we'd like some outdoor space as well. We aren't opposed to a moor urbanesque dwelling if there are park areas near by (which can't really be a problem in the area, can it?).
We're in our late 30's, an IT and New Media professional, respectively. We're eager for a change...
Any advice on neighborhoods to focus on for a small socially progressive family would be much appreciated!
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Anchorage
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Re: Neighborhoods/"Suburbs"
Sat, September 15, 2007 - 6:34 AMBellingham is going through a terrible growth period. They are building homes out of particle board and covering it up with plastic or metal mushroom-bletch siding and we do not think these houses will last well.
Basically the whole North part of town I rarely visit. All the older neighborhoods with older homes are really nice. The heaviest part of town is at the base of Alabama Hill and Barkley Village and patrons are homesick Californians; sad souls with SAD - seasonal affective disorder.
Check out: "Happy Valley", "The Lettered Streets", "Elizabeth Park neighborhood, aka Columbia District", "The York District" or "Geneva" or "Silver Beach" older neighborhoods on Lake Whatcom. Avoid "Edgemore", "Barkley", "Cordata"...
"Emerald Lake" is actually "Toad Lake" - do not let "them" rename to claim our world. "Sunset Lake" is actually "K Mart Lake" because it got created when they put in K- Mart.
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Re: Neighborhoods/"Suburbs"
Sat, September 15, 2007 - 1:22 PMI feel like someone just passed me a cheat sheet! Thanks! -
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Re: Neighborhoods/"Suburbs"
Mon, October 29, 2007 - 8:27 PMhello,
I am a teacher coming to interview for a job.
I want to live in an area where I can walk to a neighborhood coffee place and/or shops.
Coming from Seattle where I had lived in Wallingford and know about living in capital hill areas where also one can walk to many shops and hav e coffee, restaurants, banks etc...
Where might I go?
Is there ecstatic dance there?
Thank you -
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Re: Neighborhoods/"Suburbs"
Wed, October 31, 2007 - 5:34 PMThere are a lot more residential buildings in downtown these days and that is growing, but mostly it's apartment living if you want walking distance. People are crazy about biking here, so that's an option if you want to be a little outside of downtown.
Fairhaven is also another bet.
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Re: Neighborhoods/"Suburbs"
Mon, November 12, 2007 - 10:24 AMHonestly there aren't really any areas of town that would be "bad" places to live. I moved here from Minneapolis 5 years ago and we lived in an apt for the first year in North Bellingham, but really I cannot say there are bad parts of town at all. This place is uneventful, places close early during the week. And we don't like smokers so much! :) Not that there isn't a lot to do, just not a huge nightlife in that aspect. But there are TONS of great live bands playing every night of the week.
Now I own a house outside of town "out in the county" people say here. The only town I would discourage from renting is Blaine, it's kind of a mish-mash of communities and right on the border so you get some trouble around those areas, but nothing that I would compare to the quanitity of big-city trouble.
