Peaceful Valley has a nature-oriented suburban feel
The community of Peaceful Valley offers a remote suburban lifestyle in the foothills of the Cascade Range. With cul-de-sacs of new construction, the area acts as an alternative to closer suburbs of Bellingham, which often have higher price points. Peaceful Valley is also less congested, since it doesn’t have any retail areas and is more nature oriented. Home to approximately 2,700, the community provides mountain views and endless outdoor activities — many part-time residents live in the area’s vacation homes during the summertime for proximity to Mt. Baker.
Contemporary homes and manufactured homes in Peaceful Valley
Peaceful Valley is completely residential. On its west side, Paradise Lakes Country Club is a manufactured home community with a private pool and a clubhouse. “It’s a recreational community where you can live 120 days a year. It’s in its own market segment,” says broker Jacob Petz, who works with Petz Real Estate and has about two decades of expertise in the area. Manufactured homes, often used as vacation or second homes, range from $50,000 to $370,000. The community’s east and southwest sections are suburban subdivisions with cul-de-sacs of single-family homes. The lots tend to be woodsy and have evergreen thickets in the backyards. Most of the architecture is contemporary, homes ranging from $310,000 to $680,000. “I think it’s affordable compared to Bellingham and Lynden, which are more expensive. We do all brand-new construction,” says Realtor Lynzi Cowden, who works with Windermere Real Estate end has about a decade of experience in the area. The area’s median sales price is $400,000, compared to Bellingham’s median of $670,000 and Lynden’s median of $610,000.
Recreation at Silver Lake Park and Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
In central Peaceful Valley, the Columbia Valley Community Garden allows residents to grow their own produce and flowers. Next door is a recreation site with a basketball court, a tennis court and a playground. About 10 miles east of Peaceful Valley, Silver Lake Park has a reservoir surrounded by pine forests and mountainsides. This recreation site offers kayaking, swimming and fishing. About 15 miles east of the community, there’s an entrance to Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, a scenic area covering over 1.7 million acres. “It’s right by Mt. Baker, so skiing and hiking are the most popular,” Cowden says. Some highlights include the Picture Lake Path and the Artist Point area, which leads to dramatic overlooks of Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan and alpine lakes.
Schools from Kendall Elementary to Mount Baker Senior High
Kendall Elementary School has a C-minus rating on Niche. Mount Baker Junior High School has a C rating, and Mount Baker Senior High School scores a B-minus. The high school’s course catalog has unique classes, including stagecraft, floral design and finance.
Local businesses, including Feast 542 and Paradise Market
Peaceful Valley doesn’t have any retail areas, but there are stores and restaurants just a few miles south of the community. The eateries include Hot Stuff Pizza, a casual pie shop at a gas station, and the relaxed American restaurant Feast 542. It's located in Paradise Market, a convenience store stocked with snacks. Crossroads Grocery, located about 5 miles east of the area, offers a wider selection, with produce and meat.
Events from Community Coffee & Tea to Twin Sisters Mobile Market
East Whatcom Regional Resource Center hosts regular events, including the weekly Community Crafts & Art Collaborative, where attendees have a potluck as they work on their projects. The weekly Community Coffee & Tea includes a family-friendly hangout with hot beverages and children’s toys. A few miles south of Peaceful Valley, the North Fork Community Library offers the Twin Sisters Mobile Market in the summertime. Similar to a farmers' market, it has locally sourced seafood, produce and eggs.
30 miles to Bellingham and other logistics
Via state Route 542, Peaceful Valley is about 30 miles from downtown Bellingham. The community is about 105 miles from Seattle via Interstate 5. Whatcom Transportation Authority has bus stops throughout the community. Bellingham International Airport, the closest major airport, is about 30 miles away from the community.
