rental houses in Bellingham (Lynden, Ferndale: credit, loan, job transfer)

[karelise]

We are relocating (job transfer) to Bellingham and are having trouble finding a nice, family friendly house for rent for about $1400 or so a month within the city. We've been scouring Craig's List as well as property management companies and hte local newspaper but we're mostly finding dilapidated stuff, student housing, or super high-end ( i.e. $2000 and up). Anybody from the area have any suggestions as to where to look? We need a decent house in good condition and close to good public elementary schools.

Thanks!

[rkcarguy]

If you're confident in your job security, better to buy. Rates are super low right now, and rent is high because alot of people aren't comfortable buying or don't have the means to get a loan(credit and down payment).
IMO, there are better school systems in the bedroom community cities around B'ham, than those within it.
My wife having been a substitute for most of the schools in the county and then a teacher for a few years, our opinion based on everything from equipment to student and staff attitudes (best to worst) was Mt. Baker, Everson/Nooksack, Sehome, Meridian(good staff but run down facilities), Blaine, Bellingham, and Ferndale. I'm leaving Lynden out due to religous issues, you either love it or you hate it...
What you'll save on a nicer place out of town a bit you'll probably spend on gas, but you'll be more likely to rent/buy a newer/nicer place in an area where you don't have to have everything on lockdown.