Northwest Living | Bellingham Real Estate Market

  Bellingham, Washington is considered by many to be one of the best places to live in the country. In the past ten years alone, Bellingham and Whatcom County have received a ton of attention from national writers on the quality of life here.  Those that already call Bellingham home, are well aware of the natural beauty and outdoor activities we enjoy every day.

For our readers I put together this list of articles about Bellingham and why it’s one of the top ten Dream Towns in America.  The list cover’s the past 6 years and by no means is complete.  But I think the list and links will provide a good start to finding out about  our Northwest corner.  Enjoy the following list about Bellingham, WA:

1. Outside Magazine’s August 2006: issue ranks Bellingham Best Paddling town in the USA.  Bellingham offers back-door access for kayaking to the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound, and it’s a launching pad to Canada’s Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.
2. May 2006: Inc magazine rates Bellingham as fifth hotest boomtown under 150,000 in population, based on recent job growth.  “With the San Juan Islands to the west and Mount Baker looming to the east, Bellingham attracts urban refugees, who have launched hundreds of small service firms, manufacturers, and consultancies.”
3. May 2006: Bellingham was among 11 cities with the cleanest air nationwide in a study by the American Lung Association (sixth year in a row). Forbes.com ranked Bellingham number 2 on its list of the Greenest Cities in the U.S. released in April, 2006. The ALA based their ranking on statistics for ozone and small particle pollution in each area of the study.
4. February 2006: Where to Retire magazine did a story on Bellingham as a place for active seniors to live.
5. November 2005: Dog Fancy lists Bellingham as one of the top ten dog-friendly cities in the USA.
6. September 2004: National Geographic Adventure magazine names Bellingham in the top ten “Adventure Towns” in the nation. 
7. CNN and Money magazine rates Bellingham among the eight best places to retire. The online article says Bellingham offers “the great outdoors and a sophisticated community all at your doorstep,” and has “metropolitan ambitions without big-city hassles.”  The article lauds the city’s trails and natural beauty, Western Washington University’s drama department, Fairhaven district and the city’s close access to snow skiing.
8. Spring 2003: AARP The Magazine lists Bellingham second among 15 “Dream towns” for boomers looking to settle down in a new locale. Citing the city’s “natural charm, affordable neighborhoods and recreational opportunities,” the May/ June issue rated Bellingham second only to the Fort Collins/Loveland area of Colorado.
9. May 2003: Men’s Journal calls Bellingham one of the 50 best small cities in which to live. 
10. Bellingham ranked 33rd among the “hippest, healthiest, and most adventure packed” small cities in America.
11. September 2001: Outside magazine calls Bellingham one of its 10 “Dream Towns,” noting its close access to shorelines, rivers, the San Juan Islands, Mt Baker and the Cascade Mountains. “Don wool socks and sandals for a night on the town; plant rhododendrons in your yard; shoot your own indie film,” advised the magazine.
12. Bellingham is also home of two time Oscar winner Hillary Swank and TV’s “Whose Line is it Anyway?” comedian Ryan Stiles. Additionally Billy Burke the actor, Doug Pederson - Former NFL quarterback — attended Ferndale High School and Jake Locker, Freshman sensation quarterback for University of Washington.

With a list like that, it’s no wonder Bellingham, Washington residents would like to keep this area a secret for as long as they can. That might be hard to do with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics just around the corner though.  The Winter Olympics will be held in nearby Vancouver, British Columbia from February 12 to 28, 2010.  This will surely put the spotlight on Whatcom County even more, since we share the border with the province of British Columbia.

In 1986 the Worlds fair was held in Vancouver, BC which brought a lot of attention to the Whatcom County area. Expo 86 brought an influx of visitors, and a few of them ended up moving to our Northwest corner for good. It will definitely be an exciting time to live in Whatcom County when the Olympic spirit comes visiting. Travel thru Washington State and especially over the border in Canada will no doubt be busy. 

Jerry Campbell - The Muljat Group - Bellingham, WA - Bellingham Real Estate