The reboot, the restart, the rest of the story….I have heard these words again and again when I meet people that have relocated to Bellingham, Washington, like I have. Bellingham seems to be the dream town, the place people want to live when they feel they have the opportunity to choose. That was the case for me. I made my big move March 24, 2018…and I have not second guessed this choice one day since I have been here.
Here are the Best things about Bellingham Washington
It’s Beautiful
Not the kind of beauty that we can all find in our every day lives, the kind of beauty that makes you catch your breath, stop, notice, and appreciate. From the bay, to the mountains, to Lake Whatcom and the forested land there is more beauty here than I every thought I would have the luxury to live around.
TONS to do
When I moved here I decided I needed to really get to know Bellingham before I could adequately sell real estate here. I started my Facebook group Bellingham Living and I promised myself I would say “yes” as often as possible. I would say yes to any invitation, and meet up, any group event. I would get out and meet people and really try to understand Bellingham, the culture, the people, the town, the vibe. I have kept my promise to myself, and I have done more, seen more and enjoyed more in the last 8 months than I have the last years prior to that. And I still have TONS on my list of things to do!
The PEOPLE
Really. The pace is slower here. People have time to chat. Time to grab a bite to eat. Time to take a walk or grab a coffee. Bellingham seems to draw a lot of people from around the nation to either raise their family, or to spend the second half of their life being where they want to be doing what they want to do. New residents along with life time residents are open and willing to accept new comers into their circles and into their lives.
The FOOD
Bellingham has lots of residents that care about their community, so the support of local restaurants and shops is huge. There are old favorites, and new restaurants popping up all of the time. There are the chain restaurants and shops in the periphery of Bellingham, but in down town you mostly only see locally owned and run places. There are places that will become fast favorites and the list of places to try just seems to keep growing.
Lots of opportunities to get involved
If you want to get involved in your community by volunteering and getting your hands dirty Bellingham makes that easy for you. There are tons of different opportunities depending on what you are passionate about. Volunteering is also a great way to meet people and friends that have the same values as you.
Tons of choices for LIVE entertainment
A couple of nights ago I went to the Bellingham Circus Guild’s Halloween performance. It was absolutely fantastic. I also went to a performance at Mount Baker Theater and saw Ira Glass from my favorite podcast This American Life. In the summer we have Downtown Sounds, Elizabeth Park Summer Concert Series, Boulevard Park concert series, and in Maritime Park you can catch live theater outdoors for FREE given by Sylvia Center for the Arts. But what is more important is how many live bands there are, live theater performances, like musical performances on street corners….and all of the dancing in the street just brings joy to my heart every time I see it! In Bellingham EVERYONE dances, not just the young people!
Bellingham is bursting with art and artists!
There is original art everywhere in Bellingham, and the artists that create it also seem to be everywhere. I have met more artists since I have been here than I did in all of my years on this earth combined prior. The city celebrates its artists, and you can find their work along so many of the city owned property. From sculptures, to murals, to preservation art like the acid ball, to a rainbow bridge to celebrate diversity many artists have chosen to make Bham home!
THE TRAILS
The trails were something I thought about, and imagined, and fantasized about before I was able to relocate to Bellingham. I fantasized that they were going to be my paths to happiness, and in some ways they have been. I am not in great shape. Hiking, or walking uphill, is very difficult for me. But walking a path that isn’t up a mountain, I can do that for hours on end. The trails are gorgeous, and they lead to wonderful places. They are everywhere, and something you can explore regularly and go different places. They are wide, well maintained, and I have always felt safe on them. HERE is a guide to trails in Bellingham.
The Breweries
These are not something I can speak about with any knowledge, I don’t drink. But I do go to the breweries with friends. There are so many breweries around town, and I hear wonderful things about them. Locally owned and run, it is fun to support a grass roots effort to make something.
The Houses
The houses in Bellingham make me swoon. Bellingham has been a town of boom or bust, and lots of the homes were built during the first or second booms, which means around 1890-1915. There are 25 different neighborhoods in Bellingham that all have distinct identities and charms. I have spent hours, days, walking these neighborhoods, trying to get a feel of each and every one. I love to look at homes to get a feel of what makes them special.
Bellingham is truly unique and truly wonderful. If you are considering buying a home and want to start looking, first, contact me….second take a peek at what the market has to offer today below. For a customized search please just ask!
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