Blaine (Vancouver, Bellingham, Lynden: apartment, condos, house)

[napper]

Hi:

My husband may be getting a job in Blaine, WA and I'm wondering if it's a good place to live and raise my son, who is 14. Any surrounding areas where commuting is possible, but nicer? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Quantum]

Blaine is kind of Bland. Has a decent marina though.

But more often than you'd think, there is excitement when criminals on-the-run head for the Canadian border and force (unarmed) Canadian Customs officers to abandon their posts. You can imagine them thinking, "Goddam crazy Americans..."

As far as a nicer location, better not consider Point Roberts, WA; your husband would have four border crossings, just to get to work and back.

[Screenial]

Blaine isn't too bad for a border town. It's kind of a bland city. Lots of nice land in Whatcom County though. It's not a bad place to raise kids. Ferndale is a nice farming community 15-20 minutes away from Blaine. Lynden is pretty, but a little too religious and uptight for my taste. The women in Lynden remind me of The Stepford Wifes.
Semiamhoo ( sorry don't remember how to spell it) is an upscale expensive planned golfing community. Birch Bay is still pretty much a weekend retreat town.

[adp]

Blaine borders Vancouver. That's a cosmopolitan city just crossing the border. I believe downtown is 45 minutes away. I like that you can go from 2 very different environments, countries in such a short amount of time. Blaine has lots of countryside. If you want open space, it's there.

[Calm guy]

Blaine is okay, pretty bland is a good description...make sure you PERSONALLY check out and walk the neighborhoods BEFORE locating. Has gone the ups and downs as a border town. I'd recommend more downtown residential possibilities vs. outskirts or on the edge of town which seem quite fractured as far as neighbors in community. Lynden is nice, safe, etc, yet very expensive...good folk live there inspite of the negative "too religious" comment. Check with the Whole Town Team people, they may be able to give you some local tips.

[Screenial]

I never said that there weren't any nice people in Lynden. Yes, the town is very clean, and I guess you could call it safe, since many of your neighbors will probably let you know if something suspicious is happening at your house while you are gone. Everyone has their own opinion. I just think that a town that does not allow dancing with alcohol, holds the world record for the most churches in a town, and 75% of the stores close up on Sunday, is a little too religious for me to live there.

[amo]

Originally Posted by napper

Hi:

My husband may be getting a job in Blaine, WA and I'm wondering if it's a good place to live and raise my son, who is 14. Any surrounding areas where commuting is possible, but nicer? Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Blaine is forty minutes from Vancouver...20 from Bellingham...yet is a very small town. You can buy fresh fish at the Marina on Saturday Morning.
There is an excellant Mexican Restaurant...El Paso del Norte owned by a Mexican Family...good as Phoenix food. An Italian restaurant, Bella Marina....also family owned and delicious. Rita's Dinner...mmmmm. Subway, Pizza and more.
Costcutters Supermarket.

As soon as you cross the border into Canada you are in Surrey...Home Depot, Costco, Crispy Creams...everything is there...a few minutes further north on 99 and through the tunnel and you are in Richmond... Old Navy, The Bay, Ikea...and all of the previous are there. Vancouver itself has everything in the world.

Bellingham has most of the popular chains and a wealth of local merchants...and old town, a new town and an inbetween town.

We have been in Point Roberts since July of 05. Love it!

[SaucySue]

I live 2 miles north of the border and from Blaine. Just thought I'd mention I have heard that the school in Blaine is a good one. Looks like it is high on sports..tennis courts, soccer fields and a football stadium. Other than that it is small and not much going on. I myself love Bellingham and it's only a 20 minute drive from Blaine..make sure you get your family a NEXUS pass so you can travel thru the border bypassing the lineups. Good luck!

[eagleheart]

Blaine is set in a beautiful area, the marina is an easy in-easy out with beautiful loons, seals and many types of birds within binocular distance.

Blaine High School is an active school with a pro-sports community. The music teachers, Mr Gray and Mr Harmening, are excellent. Just recently, three students were selected to participate in state and regional groups.

There is also an annual Jazz event that brings together students and musicians of national calibre. The students receive excellent instruction and the concerts by these students and teachers are well attended.

Blaine has a lot less drug problems than Ferndale, which is rampant with drugs and gangs (first hand report by my girlfriend's son).

Birch Bay is no longer a weekend retreat. We now have several housing developments, buildings of condos and a major grocery store being planned. We also have water slides, the annual polar bear plunge, sand castle contests, a most fabulous beach and stupendous sunsets. This is an increasingly favorite place for skimboarders and stunt kiters (myself included).

Check out my photos on Removed and, quite often, www.thenorthernlight.com (this week Jan2-11).

Good luck.

Karl

[jane2111]

Being a student at Blaine highschool, looking for an apartment with friends, I couldn't imagine a better school to go to.

The pride we take in our sports and arts are un compared to any school. No matter what the score.

I am proud to tell people that I am from Blaine. I have been attending this school since 3rd grade and Its has always been fun to be a Borderite.

The truth is, like every other school, Blaine may have a drug problem. Weather that be drugs, or alchol.

It seems like every school year, theres a handful of kids who get into accidents with alcohol, or get caught at school drunk. Or the occasional, someone with pot at school.
All I can say to that is that the administration takes it VERY seriously and doesn't not exempt anyone to the rule of expulsion if found with drugs.

On the matter of gangs. Nothing serious.
Ususally its a group of stupid boys, who give themselve a stupid name and wear bandanas around they're wrists.
Its like cmon, your not that legit.
I'd say that Blaine High School is a dream come true, run of the mill, movie type, cliche highschool experience. Just not as clique-y. Blaine is somewhat of a family and everyone accepts everyone as a friend.

If your looking for Homecoming dances, Friday night light Football games, the amazing Band, Cheerleading, Pep Assemblies and more. Blaine is the place for your kid.

Also. Last year, we held Cancer Awarness Week, where Blaine raised over 8,000 dollars.
where as other highschool in the nation barely raised 500$.

What does that tell you: )