Outdoorsy city with a classic Pacific Northwest vibe
About 90 miles north of Seattle and south of Vancouver, the city of Bellingham is known for its outdoorsy spirit and lush green landscape, with several large parks surrounded by natural landmarks like Galbraith Mountain, Lake Whatcom and Bellingham Bay. “It’s like an outdoor enthusiast mecca,” says Paulina Antczak, a Whatcom County local and Realtor with Windermere Real Estate, “especially if you like hiking, biking, going for a walk, paddleboarding and kayaking." Officially established in 1903 when the small towns of Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham and Fairhaven were combined, the city is now the seat of Whatcom County, set right on Interstate 5.
Bellingham's land was initially inhabited by Lummi, Nooksack, Samish and Semiahmoo tribes, and many proper names here derive their origin from the traditional Salishan language. Major employers include the local Western Washington University, as well as the Port of Bellingham and the Cherry Point Refinery, about 18 miles away. Beer and coffee are central to daily life here, and the city has a large selection of coffee shops and breweries.
Bike enthusiasts love exploring Galbraith Mountain Trails near Samish.
Find your dream home overlooking Bellingham Bay in the sought-after community of Edgemoor.
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Community oriented neighborhoods with little new construction
As of late 2024, Bellingham's median home price is $675,000, compared to the statewide median of about $626,000. Every neighborhood in Bellingham offers a strong sense of community, especially the older “core neighborhoods” surrounding Downtown, including Sunnyland, Columbia and York; these areas often feature early 20th-century Craftsman cottages. Newer areas west of Interstate 5 have more subdivision-style suburban developments, often with ranch-style homes built between the 1950s and 1990s and new traditional homes built between the late 20th century and early 2000s. Highly sought-after neighborhoods include Edgemoor, one of few that offer large late 20th-century homes on quarter- or half-acre lots, and Silver Beach, where late 20th-century homes overlook Lake Whatcom, and South Hill, known for its scenic bay views. The city is dealing with an overall housing shortage, partly due to a lack of space for new construction. The city plans to address this problem by constructing new high-density mixed-use housing and condo developments in and around downtown.
You can find beautifully designed Craftsman homes all throughout Cornwall Park.
Enjoy more urban life in these beautiful Fairhaven condominiums.
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Wide-ranging outdoor recreation and redevelopment around Bellingham Bay
Outdoor recreation is central to life in Bellingham, with harbors and yacht clubs in Bellingham Bay, mountain biking at Galbraith Mountain, and fishing at Lake Whatcom. Sehome Hill Arboretum is one of the most popular spots for hiking, with 180 acres of redwood and fir forests and a large observation tower; set next to Western Washington University, students often use the arboretum as a shortcut to get to class. Cornwall Park has 70 acres of sports courts and playgrounds next to Bellingham Golf & Country Club. Whatcom Falls Park is home to babbling brooks, from which the park and the county get their names; the Lummi tribe used the word to refer to noisy, rumbling water. The city is in the process of redeveloping old industrial spaces on the waterfront near downtown, with plans to add more parks and event spaces over time.
Meet some friends for a game of volleyball at Cornwall Park near King Mountain.
Bellingham Golf & Country Club in Birchwood offers 18 beautiful holes surrounded by nature.
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Events, restaurants and breweries near downtown Bellingham and Historic Fairhaven
Downtown Bellingham is full of cafes and restaurants, and hosts the Bellingham Farmers Markets once a week, from April until December. Cultural institutions here include the historic Mount Baker Theatre and the Whatcom Museum, which shares the art and history of Whatcom County. Every July, the NW Tune-Up Festival is held downtown to celebrate Pacific Northwest culture with live music, mountain biking and a beer garden.
Historic Fairhaven offers small boutiques, bookstores and upscale eateries, amid Victorian-era architecture and cobblestone streets. The annual Ski to Sea relay race takes place here over Memorial Day Weekend, with seven legs that include cross-country skiing, biking and sea kayaking. “There are Olympians that have competed in it,” Antczak says. “There are food vendors, and people all gather to watch the racers come to the finish line. It’s like an entire day festival.”
Beer and coffee are the center of the local food scene, and many local breweries and coffee roasters can be found near downtown and throughout the city. Big-box stores and national retailers, including Bellis Fair Mall, are set on the city’s north side, along Meridian Street.
South Hill residents head to Bellingham Farmers Market every Saturday.
Treat yourself to a day of shopping and Bellis Fair in King Mountain.
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Set along Interstate 5 between Seattle and Vancouver
Interstate 5 bisects the city, running about 90 miles south to Seattle and north over the Canadian border to Vancouver. To get around Bellingham, many residents use the city's extensive network of bike lanes and trails, or ride Whatcom Transportation Authority buses. In the Fairhaven neighborhood, there’s an Amtrak station that connects to other cities on the coast and a ferry that runs to Alaska.
The PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center is the only hospital in the town, and there can often be very long wait times since there is a shortage of providers compared to the city’s population size. Bellingham International Airport has direct flights to seven cities, including Seattle and Las Vegas.
Bellingham School District and Western Washington University
Bellingham School District earns a B-plus from Niche, serving over 11,000 students across 25 schools. This includes several top-rated institutions, like Sehome High, which was fully renovated in 2019. Additionally, many neighborhoods, including Columbia and Whatcom Falls, have namesake elementary schools, which are major gathering places for local families who like to stay and let their kids play after school.
Western Washington University is a major employer and a draw for new residents. Located on the city’s south side, the university is known for its environmentally conscious programs that focus on waste reduction and renewable energy. Popular majors include environmental science, psychology, education and computer science, and the school doesn’t offer fraternities or sororities.
Sehome High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
Alabama Hill students consider Western Washington University for their next step.
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Declining property crime rates
According to annual reports from the Bellingham Police Department, reported incidents of violent crime decreased by 29% between 2022 and 2023. During the same time, reported incidents of robbery decreased by 30% and burglary by 19%. Average rates of property crime in Bellingham remain higher than those in the state and the country, while average rates of violent crime are generally a bit lower.
Cold winters and mild summers
Though wind and rain are common here, summers tend to be sunny and mild, and winters are cold and snowy. Steep bluffs prevent flooding along Bellingham Bay. Some areas along Whatcom Creek and Squalicum Creek are susceptible to mild flooding during heavy rainfall, though this is a rare occurrence.
Alabama Hill residents head to the Bellingham Bay boardwalk for sunsets and sailboat races.
Bloedel Donovan Park offers kayaking on Lake Whatcom.
On average, homes in Bellingham, WA sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Bellingham, WA over the last 12 months is $635,000, down 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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