looking to move just outside Bellingham (Ferndale, Birch Bay: rentals, low crime, Home Depot)

[istewart]

im going to be graduating college in 6 months or so. i currently live in northern MI, in Marquette. there is very very little outside of Marquette.(no city with 150 moles) i like the small towns(low crime, quite exc.) but i want to be within an hour or so of shopping and entertainment. nightlife is not a big deal to me. im going to be moving with my long time girlfriend and we just want to rent for 6 months or so while we find our spot. mountain biking is great in marquette and i love the outdoors and the water(i live on lake superior). any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
thanks

[Screenial]

If you are big into mountain biking, lakes, outdoors, etc, the Whatcom County area is for you. Better like rain though! Deming is about 30 minutes from Bellingham, quite rural, a logging community. Lots of mountains, rivers, trails. It's on the way up to Mt. Baker ski resprt. You might want to look into the Lake Samish area also. Living on the lake can be expensive though. Ferndale is nice also, but the North Whatcom area is more a flatter farming terrain.
Not sure if you plan on commuting into Bellingham, the traffic can be hellish going into town in the morning.

[eagleheart]

If you are into biking, kayaking, hiking, etc., this is the area - as long as you don't need a high-paying job. That might be difficult to find, depending on your field, regardless of what the various magazines have said about this area.

Shopping is readily available in Bellingham, on the Guide Meridian - though that is an experience from hell during rush hour and weekends. We have Costco, Office Max, Office Depot, Lowes, Home Depot, WalMart and the best hardware store - Hardware Sales. And all the fast food places as well as some great restaurants in areas all around the county.

Rentals are available though you might have more luck finding a larger choice before all the WWU students start planning to return after the summer.

Even if nightlife is not that important, there are a number of clubs that have great music and several places that serve their renown local brew.

Get hooked up with the bike places in Bellingham. There is a large group of bikers that ride from Bellingham to Birch Bay every Saturday on what is called the Donut Run. Certainly there are other groups that do likewise to other areas, as well as the annual run up to Mt Baker.

Good luck

Karl