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
Driving me out - 6/6/2007
I love living in Bellingham. A common typo of mine is Belongham. Purely accidental, but truth. I endure the wet dreary winters, autumns and springs for the amazing summer. There is beauty everywhere. Water, mountains, outlying pastures, cute downtown, funky neighborhoods.
However, the job market is TERRIBLE. It is becoming unaffordable to live here and have any hopes of ever paying off our mortgage, or have a quality of life that does not revolve around the sheer expense of living, commuting and working here. I've lived here 11 years and I love love love it. Considering relocating to another part of the country to avoid waking up in 30 years only to realize I did not have time outside of working my butt off to actually enjoy the quality of life this beautiful, unique town affords. So sad! Californians and big money retirees... go
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Bellingham Native - 6/3/2007
I'm a born and raised, 6th generation, resident of Bellingham. I've seen a lot of places and Bellingham still ranks near the to, esp during Bellingham summers. The geography is a bay rapped around by a hill or two. These hills have many beautiful view homes, nothing built after 1950, and most built before the Depression. At opposite ends of town are two more ports, one with the Alaskan Ferry Terminal sports a tiny, real, 19th cent town. On the other a bluff with even more victorian mansions.
Great place to live, unless you NEED the sun or if you are too ambitious. Bellingham is Northwest at it's core. Until 1950 or so most citizens felt that Western Washington was their country. We received news about New York and Peking with equal disinterest. The world forgot us, and we forgot it. There is a gut disbelief in success. Developments and new stores are viewed with suspicion. They secretly believe that the university there belongs to them, like a lake or something,
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Rudest people in Washington - 5/14/2007
I live in Pullman, WA and I call Bellingham everyday and visit there frequently for work. I have to tell you guys this town is so pompous, so full of itself, it is the rudest city I have ever been to. Everyone walks around thinking that the world revolves around them. They need to get out and see what the rest of the country thinks about the NW, NW. It is a nice town, too many Cali's have driven the prices up. Maybe the arrogance of Bellingham will be broken when the market correction comes and lots of people loose money. Just wait whatcom county, after 2010, the inevitable crash is coming. Maybe that will cool your
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Beautiful but locals don't want new residents - 5/10/2007
Having lived here for 15 years I can say the natural beauty is incredible. You also have a diverse mix of political persuasions here. In the county most people are very conservative and in the city most are liberal to very liberal. The one thing conservatives and liberals can agree on is that they don't want people moving into their community. Liberals are very anti-growth of any kind. Conservatives fear that they will eventually lose their small town/farming lifestyle. After 15 years we still feel like outsiders and are on the verge of
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wondering - 4/6/2007
My husband and I are thinking of moving from the pacific north west but not real sure where to go. we want a warmer climate low cost of living small town. we are open at this point. could someone give me feed back about yuma
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Bellingham, Washington - 1/17/2007
Bellingham has very low expectations so living here is easy. It's easy to get too comfortable here and wake up one day finding that you've stayed too long. You don't burn out in Bellingham, you rust. You can dress like a slob and fit right in. Misfits and alternative lifestyles and means of living are accepted here. Wear a suit and you'll be the odd ball. People here are not materialistic which is refreshing.
Bellingham is a retirement/college town so people 25-50 will find it hard to meet people their own age and work on their career. There's very little money floating around. Lots of homeless, beggars, lots of students fighting for the same minimum wage job. Real estate is expensive but rents are cheap.
Everyone here seems to be liberal and environmentally conscious but there are no smog inspections for vehicles and the bay here is polluted with mercury. People don't fish or swim in the bay. Long summer days with sunset after 9pm. Lack
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More jobs are needed for a balanced community - 6/30/2006
While I consider Bellingham to have the finest quality of life of anywhere I have been, good paying jobs are scarce. A recent influx of well-off retirees and urbanites fleeing Seattle have raised house prices beyond the price that the average working person can afford. Unless the job situation improves, Bellingham is in danger of becoming a boutique community for the affluent, and will lose much of the charm that made it
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