Bellingham, the ugly truth.... (Wenatchee, Lynden: modular home, property taxes, live in)

[Sign]

STINGRAY.......

All and all, Whidbey Island isn't crowded. It is....more so in the summer months, but still, nothing that really gets too unbearable.
Whidbey Island is in Island County, WA. Little, tiny Coupeville, WA is the county seat. It's just south of Oak Harbor.
YES....it snows in Custer, WA. Sometimes, not too much. Other times.....you CAN get buried!
This is more likely in Custer......than on Whidbey Is. but it CAN and DOES snow sometimes in the winter.....all the way to sea level.
I vividly recall a snowstorm just a few years ago around Thanksgiving time where the town of Birch Bay, WA.....ended up with 18 inches of snow and the roads in NW Whatcom County....were a MESS for over a week! There were "whiteout" conditions from Bellingham to Blaine and Lynden.
Anyway.....BOTH places are gorgeous and MOSTLY rural.

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by Sign

STINGRAY.......

All and all, Whidbey Island isn't crowded. It is....more so in the summer months, but still, nothing that really gets too unbearable.
Whidbey Island is in Island County, WA. Little, tiny Coupeville, WA is the county seat. It's just south of Oak Harbor.
YES....it snows in Custer, WA. Sometimes, not too much. Other times.....you CAN get buried!
This is more likely in Custer......than on Whidbey Is. but it CAN and DOES snow sometimes in the winter.....all the way to sea level.
I vividly recall a snowstorm just a few years ago around Thanksgiving time where the town of Birch Bay, WA.....ended up with 18 inches of snow and the roads in NW Whatcom County....were a MESS for over a week! There were "whiteout" conditions from Bellingham to Blaine and Lynden.
Anyway.....BOTH places are gorgeous and MOSTLY rural.

Out of all of these places which one is the lowest cost to purchase a home in a good area, low crime.
So one doesn't have deal with snow on Whidbey Island but does have to deal with snow in Custer. That could be a deal breaker.

[skookum]

Stingray, for what it's worth, Custer is one of the very few places in the county that haven't changed. It is literally the same as when I went to high school. Lived there in 72 and some of the neighbors haven't changed. This is what happens when the freeway comes in but doesn't give you an exit. It has one of the most beloved elementary schools around and the parents are loyal supporters. NE of Custer the land is fantastic for agricultural endeavors. To the west the ground is more suited for industrial use, but a recent development was nixed and the county is in the process of downzoning to protect and preserve ag and rural acreages. Not saying it is good or bad, but the County Council is pursuing this path and they continue to get elected.

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by skookum

Stingray, for what it's worth, Custer is one of the very few places in the county that haven't changed. It is literally the same as when I went to high school. Lived there in 72 and some of the neighbors haven't changed. This is what happens when the freeway comes in but doesn't give you an exit. It has one of the most beloved elementary schools around and the parents are loyal supporters. NE of Custer the land is fantastic for agricultural endeavors. To the west the ground is more suited for industrial use, but a recent development was nixed and the county is in the process of downzoning to protect and preserve ag and rural acreages. Not saying it is good or bad, but the County Council is pursuing this path and they continue to get elected.

This place sounds good to me rural, little traffic and lots of privacy. I also like to go fishing salt water but that would probably be in Birch Bay. I didn't notice any lakes there for freshwater fishing.
I will have to go check it out for the info.

[Sign]

STINGRAY.......

Salt water fishing is good out in the Strait. Birch Bay is VERY shallow but great for clamming / crabbing.
Marinas are at Birch Bay Village, Blaine, Sandy Point, Pt. Roberts and of course.....Bellingham.
There are some fresh water lakes in Whatcom County with good fishing.
Check out Lake Whatcom, Lake Terrell (between Ferndale and Birch Bay), Lake Padden, Silver Lake and Lake Samish. Also.....the Nooksack River.
Beautiful area with plenty of outdoor recreational options.

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by Sign

STINGRAY.......

Salt water fishing is good out in the Strait. Birch Bay is VERY shallow but great for clamming / crabbing.
Marinas are at Birch Bay Village, Blaine, Sandy Point, Pt. Roberts and of course.....Bellingham.
There are some fresh water lakes in Whatcom County with good fishing.
Check out Lake Whatcom, Lake Terrell (between Ferndale and Birch Bay), Lake Padden, Silver Lake and Lake Samish. Also.....the Nooksack River.
Beautiful area with plenty of outdoor recreational options.

All of this is near Custer?

[Sign]

Lake Terrell and Birch Bay are the closest to Custer. All other lakes/marinas, etc. are generally within a 30-45 minute drive except for Silver Lake perhaps.....about an hour.
Custer is surrounded by farmland.

[skookum]

Stingray, there's a great run of pink salmon this year, a friend of mine has caught 35 so far this season off the beach of Whidbey Island or on the Skagit River. One should be willing to drive a bit for the best fishing in the NW. The Fraser River across the border in BC offers some amazing runs of salmon also.

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by skookum

Stingray, there's a great run of pink salmon this year, a friend of mine has caught 35 so far this season off the beach of Whidbey Island or on the Skagit River. One should be willing to drive a bit for the best fishing in the NW. The Fraser River across the border in BC offers some amazing runs of salmon also.

That's great.
I caught a stripped bass in July off the coast of Pacifica which is about 40 miles from me. But still had alot of people there especially on weekends no privacy but I don't mind having to drive a little I just wish wherever I drive to isn't even more crowded where I live.
We are living like sardines down here.

[stingray427]

Originally Posted by skookum

Stingray, there's a great run of pink salmon this year, a friend of mine has caught 35 so far this season off the beach of Whidbey Island or on the Skagit River. One should be willing to drive a bit for the best fishing in the NW. The Fraser River across the border in BC offers some amazing runs of salmon also.

Actually I heard at one point down here they had to cancel the salmon fishing season.