Bellingham, the ugly truth.... (Oak Harbor, Lynden: elementary schools, zoning, agricultural)

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by SemiahmooDude

The weather is mild - (usually) with summer temps around 75 or so, and winter temps high 30s to mid 40s.

Certainly more rain than say, Southern Cali, but not as bad as Western Washington is often portrayed.

Don't they get snow up there?
Is the weather like Seattle, Wash?

[Grandata]

I lived in Bellingham and loved it. It's like the USA before the 1965 Immigration Act. I hope it lasts up there for all of you. There aren't many places left in America that give off the vibe: "this is the way it's supposed to be", but Bellingham still has it.

[SemiahmooDude]

Originally Posted by Grandata

I lived in Bellingham and loved it. It's like the USA before the 1965 Immigration Act. I hope it lasts up there for all of you. There aren't many places left in America that give off the vibe: "this is the way it's supposed to be", but Bellingham still has it.

Right on.

Took the family to the Blaine 4th of July celebration this year. At one point my wife and I looked around and smiled and both agreed it was the most American small town vibe we had felt since we were kids. Bellingham has that same vibe - just a bigger city.

It really is like it used to be - and maybe could be again some day.

Maybe...

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by SemiahmooDude

Right on.

Took the family to the Blaine 4th of July celebration this year. At one point my wife and I looked around and smiled and both agreed it was the most American small town vibe we had felt since we were kids. Bellingham has that same vibe - just a bigger city.

It really is like it used to be - and maybe could be again some day.

Maybe...

So it is nowhere anything like Seattle?

[SemiahmooDude]

Originally Posted by stingray427

So it is nowhere anything like Seattle?

No.


Bellingham has its liberalism to be sure - but much smaller, and the liberals of Bellingham are friendly with the more conservative outlining areas like Ferndale, Custer, Blaine, etc.

Seattle liberals tend to run far more aggressive. Must be all that big city traffic and smog that makes them that way...

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by SemiahmooDude

No.


Bellingham has its liberalism to be sure - but much smaller, and the liberals of Bellingham are friendly with the more conservative outlining areas like Ferndale, Custer, Blaine, etc.

Seattle liberals tend to run far more aggressive. Must be all that big city traffic and smog that makes them that way...

Custer is probably for me if Bellingham is like living in a city. Ferndale is big too
Blaine that's near the water Birch Bay
How Whibley Island compare to Custer and Bellingham?

[Sign]

STINGRAY........

You asked, "how Whidbey Is. compares to Custer or Bellingham?"

Whidbey Island is similar, yet different.
Most notable differences for sure, would be weather/temperature. Whidbey Island tends to get quite a bit more in the way of dense fog, onshore, Pacific winds through the Strait of Juan De Fuca, etc. so it is often much cooler and grayer than Bellingham......esp. in the summer months.
In the Fall and winter.....it's ALL gray.
Lots of rural areas and small towns on Whidbey. Oak Harbor is the largest with a Naval Air station close by.
Beautiful Island.......and Deception Pass (between Whidbey Is. and Fidalgo Is. where Anacortes is located).......Is REALLY a beautiful place. Gorgeous at sunsets!

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by Sign

STINGRAY........

You asked, "how Whidbey Is. compares to Custer or Bellingham?"

Whidbey Island is similar, yet different.
Most notable differences for sure, would be weather/temperature. Whidbey Island tends to get quite a bit more in the way of dense fog, onshore, Pacific winds through the Strait of Juan De Fuca, etc. so it is often much cooler and grayer than Bellingham......esp. in the summer months.
In the Fall and winter.....it's ALL gray.
Lots of rural areas and small towns on Whidbey. Oak Harbor is the largest with a Naval Air station close by.
Beautiful Island.......and Deception Pass (between Whidbey Is. and Fidalgo Is. where Anacortes is located).......Is REALLY a beautiful place. Gorgeous at sunsets!

You know I'm actually very comfortable with the temps being between 55-65. When it gets to 77 I start melting. I have always liked to live near water/ocean as I do love the fog and coolness of the breeze. Yet the rural ness of Custer still comes up to be a very attractive in that there is less traffic, people and you don't have next door neighbors within 10 feet in every direction. In fact it looked like the closest neighbors were blocks away on a satellite map. Custer looks like an industrial and ranch type of place but as far as weather goes I don't know how hot it gets there or cold but I don't mind cold it is the heat I can't take. I would think though that homes located on Whidbey Island are going to cost alot more for being near the ocean and to have ocean views vs. a more desolete place like Custer.

[Sign]

STINGRAY.......

Actually, I believe there ARE houses all over Whidbey Is. and in the Oak Harbor area....that are definitely, affordable thesedays.
Most homes on Whidbey do not have any view of the water and the island is large enough (I think it's like 50+ miles long and about 12 miles wide at its widest), that much of the time, you really don't think your on an island.
Of course, houses cost quite a bit more with any spectacular view and with land.
PLENTY of rural areas and farms, etc. on about 75% of Whidbey, I would guess.
Custer, WA is only about 8 miles from the water (Birch Bay area) and on many occasions, it will be 10-15 degrees warmer in Custer than Birch Bay.......and up to 20 degrees warmer in Lynden, Sumas and Deming.......in the Summer, and especially, if there's a heat wave.
Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor).......often wouldn't even feel such a heat wave.....rare event.
But, yes......there are many areas on Whidbey Island that resemble the likes of Custer, WA.

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by Sign

STINGRAY.......

Actually, I believe there ARE houses all over Whidbey Is. and in the Oak Harbor area....that are definitely, affordable thesedays.
Most homes on Whidbey do not have any view of the water and the island is large enough (I think it's like 50+ miles long and about 12 miles wide at its widest), that much of the time, you really don't think your on an island.
Of course, houses cost quite a bit more with any spectacular view and with land.
PLENTY of rural areas and farms, etc. on about 75% of Whidbey, I would guess.
Custer, WA is only about 8 miles from the water (Birch Bay area) and on many occasions, it will be 10-15 degrees warmer in Custer than Birch Bay.......and up to 20 degrees warmer in Lynden, Sumas and Deming.......in the Summer, and especially, if there's a heat wave.
Whidbey Island (Oak Harbor).......often wouldn't even feel such a heat wave.....rare event.
But, yes......there are many areas on Whidbey Island that resemble the likes of Custer, WA.

That sounds promising too. The population in Custer though is only a few hundred? With less people, traffic than Whidbey Island?
There must be more or a higher population in Whidbey Island? These are in two different counties right one of them Custer in Whatcom Co. Not sure what county Whidbey Island is in.
I get the feeling that those other places cost more like Birch Bay, Lynden, Deming, and Sumus
Just how hot and cold does Custer get? It does snow there.
If Whidbey island has cool weather thats better for me but if it is more crowded or more traffic forget that.