Samish
Neighborhood in Bellingham, Washington
Whatcom County 98229
Ranch-style and Modern Craftsman-style homes on quarter-acre lots
Most of the housing in Samish was built on the neighborhood’s west side, along narrow sidewalk-less streets running parallel to the freeway. Minimal Traditional ranch-style homes, bi-levels and bungalows from the 1970s and ‘80s are most common, usually set on quarter-acre lots with vinyl siding and shingle-tile roofs. Modern Craftsman-style properties built in the 2010s have covered front porches supported by stone pillars and prominent two-car garages. Quarter-acre lots are uncommon in many other parts of Bellingham, especially the core neighborhoods close to downtown. “There’s not a lot of wide-open spaces in Bellingham,” says Sally Farrell, Bellingham native and real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Bayside Realty. “Samish is one of the only places with more space. There’s lots of big, beautiful homes on large lots.” Three-bedroom ranch-style homes can sell for between $550,000 and $750,000, while larger four-bedroom Modern Craftsman-style homes go for $750,000 to $1 million. Five-bedroom properties on lots larger than a half-acre can cost as much as $1.5 million. Neighborhoods near the freeway have the most noise, while homes on the east side have bay views because of higher elevation.
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Trails and boat launch points at Lake Padden Park
Samish is on the city's outskirts, close to all the outdoor activities and athletics Bellingham is known for. Lake Padden Park is a sprawling 745-acre facility encompassing miles of lakeside and forested hiking and horseback riding trails. The park also has a disc golf course, pickleball courts and a boat launch point that allows for paddleboarding and canoeing. Lake Padden Golf Course takes up 205 acres of the park, with 18 holes across rolling grassy hills. Samish is also close to nearby mountains. “This is a major area for mountain biking, and Samish is very close to that,” says Farrell. Galbraith Mountain has over 70 miles of trails overlooking Bellingham Bay.
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Drama program and other after-school clubs at Bellingham schools
Local kids may attend Wade King Elementary School, rated B by Niche. After school, students can attend PTA-organized activities, including coding and robotics, chess and mountain biking clubs. After that, students can move on to the B-rated Kulshan Middle, which offers improv and Pokemon clubs and seasonal athletic programs like track and field and volleyball. The A-rated Sehome High, which moved to a newly constructed building in 2019, has an extensive drama department that started staging musicals and plays in the 1960s.
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Competing in the annual Padden Triathlon
Bellingham’s outdoorsy spirit is on display at the annual Padden Triathlon. Held every June at Lake Padden Park, the three-leg race has two distance options: a competitive track that takes about three hours to complete and a shorter recreational track that is about half as long. Spectators can watch from the sidelines as hundreds of competitors race to the finish line.Interstate 5 runs south to Seattle
Samish is bordered on the west by Interstate 5, which extends north 43 miles to the Canadian Border and south 90 miles to Seattle. Whatcom Transportation Authority’s Route 533 bus loops around the neighborhood's perimeter and takes passengers 3 miles to downtown Bellingham. Peace Health Saint Joseph Medical Center, the town's only major hospital, is about 6 miles away, while Bellingham International Airport is about 9 miles away.Restaurants and grocery stores a few miles away in Sehome
Samish is removed from most of the city’s commercial spaces; the nearest Haggen supermarket is about 2 miles away in Sehome Village. Locally owned restaurants in Sehome include casual eateries like Blue Fin Sushi, a local favorite for bento boxes with over 60 sushi variations to choose from. Tandoori Bites serves authentic Indian cuisine with a full-service bar and offers catering and takeout options.
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Written By
Andi Sink
Photography Contributed By
Jake Chaplin
Video By
Luke Basinger
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Rob Weston
Rob Weston
Windermere Real Estate Whatcom
(360) 594-3997
165 Total Sales
3 in Samish
$665K - $985K Price Range
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Ashleigh Abhold
Ashleigh Abhold
Hansen Group Real Estate Inc
(360) 685-8093
133 Total Sales
3 in Samish
$400K - $585K Price Range
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Sean Hackney
Sean Hackney
NextHome Northwest Living
(360) 685-7871
81 Total Sales
1 in Samish
$531,000 Price
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Mikala Murphy
Mikala Murphy
Hansen Group Real Estate Inc
(360) 282-0960
140 Total Sales
2 in Samish
$638K - $805K Price Range
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Ryan Kent Smith
Ryan Kent Smith
John L. Scott Anacortes
(360) 979-1326
94 Total Sales
1 in Samish
$186,000 Price
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Lisa Parslow
Lisa Parslow
eXp Realty
(206) 895-6594
51 Total Sales
1 in Samish
$62,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Laurel Park
Ridgemont Park
Harriet Spanel Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Playground
Lake Padden Park
Rock Hill Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Samish | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 6 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 5 | 4 |
| Larceny | 6 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 5 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Samish Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Samish, Bellingham sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Samish, Bellingham over the last 12 months is $990,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$984,500
Median Sale Price
$990,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$990,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
45
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
10%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$434
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,338
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1994
Months of Supply
1.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,165
Above the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
948
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
551
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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$922,000
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2,111 Sq Ft
- 119 Ashley Ave
Imagine having a new home in a super convenient area with the bonus of southside schools! This new 4 bdrm & 4 bath home is being built by Slusher Luxury Homes. Breaking ground soon, this 2,111 sf home has a super flexible floor plan for all your needs. The main floor has a spacious kitchen 9'+ island with painted kitchen cabinets with soft-close cabinet doors and drawers, stainless steel
James HeintzONE Realty(360) 548-7247 -
$2,432,000
- 4 Beds
- 2.5 Baths
- 3,616 Sq Ft
- 4334 Samish Crest Dr
Looking for something beyond special with a Bay & Island view? Slusher Luxury Homes is building it in Samish Highlands. A Modern Design 4 Bdrm, 2.5 bath, 3-car garage home, with the primary bedroom on the main floor. 3,616 FT of Living Space & another 2,226 SF could be finished living area as well. An unbelievable kitchen with 10' island, quartz c/tops & Thermador appliances. From the 48” x 96”
James HeintzONE Realty(360) 564-7320 -
$798,000
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,454 Sq Ft
- 801 38th St
- New 11 days ago
Beautifully updated Ridgemont home on a bright corner lot. This stylish & move-in-ready home features a new 30 year roof, gutters, & fresh exterior paint. Inside, you'll find a vaulted living room that fills with natural light & a tastefully updated kitchen complete w/ a spacious pantry wall & a custom coffee bar—perfect for everyday convenience & entertaining. A large lower level w/ built-in
Chelsea Messer COMPASS
Homes for Rent
-
-
$1,270 - $3,740 per month
- The Calypso at Samish Hill
- Studio-4 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 334+ Sq Ft
- 3805 Elwood Ave
- Bellingham, WA
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,173
Median Age
40
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$111,197
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$132,184
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
59%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
2''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
17
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Happy Valley
Densely packed residential community next to Western Washington University
South Bellingham
Community with lots of trails and a rural feel on the southern edge of Bellingham
South Hill
Scenic residential community sandwiched between Fairhaven and downtown Bellingham
Fairhaven
Highly sought-after Bellingham area with lots of shops and restaurants
Edgemoor
Highly sought-after community with high property values, just south of Fairhaven
Puget
Centrally located community close to athletic facilities and grocery stores.
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