Young Family Moving To Western Wa (Seattle, Vancouver: renting, low crime, home)

[impish1]

Hi,

I'm researching different areas to relocate to in Western Washington. I've a young daughter and I want to find an area where there's lots of ocean/beaches, and good schools, lots of parks, but it doesn't have to be large. I also want to go back to college so there needs to be one near by, or commutable. I like artsy communities, and the outdoors, and low crime. I detest garbage on the streets, and the 'ghettos'... I live in SE Las Vegas, and don't want to repeat this kind of experience. I also would like to be relatively close to BC (Canada), because I have family there. Any ideas would be welcome.

[scirocco22]

Sounds like Bellingham to me.

Not on the ocean but there's beaches on Bellingham Bay, Lake Whatcom, Samish Lake, Lake Padden, etc.

Western Washington University/Fairhaven is in town.

Vancouver is about an hour away.

If you want to be in a smaller town, you could look to the areas around Bellingham ...Ferndale, Sumas, Everson, Lynden, Blaine, etc.


Thanks.

--'rocco

[impish1]

Thank you for your reply.

Bellingham is definitely an option, but I'm concerned about the crime rate there. Does anyone know which areas in Bellingham are nice? Not crime-ridden (and are semi-affordable)?

[scirocco22]

I don't really think you're going to see the type of bad neighborhoods in Bellingham as you are used to in Las Vegas. Bellingham is growing so along with the growth will be increased crime but not what I would classify as ghetto.

It's been so long since I've lived there that I'll leave others to recommend a specific neighborhood. I've visited Bellingham quite a bit in the last few years and I've never really been uncomfortable in any area that I happened to be in but again, I'll leave it up to those who live there now to comment.

Is Bellingham pretty? I think so but that's just my opinion. Have you looked at the City Data page for Bellingham? There are a lot of photos posted there:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Bellin...ashington.html

Again, another nice place is Lynden. Low crime, relatively good schools and close to Bellingham and B.C.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Lynden-Washington.html








Thanks.

--'rocco

[Screenial]

I used to own a business and reside in Bellingham. Stay away from the bottom of Alabama Hill, specifically the Texas St. area, and the lettered streets can be a little shady. Anything near the college is going to have some partying issues, Fairhaven is nice but pricey. I lived in the Columbia Neighborhood and really liked it ( still had stuff stolen off my porch all the time tho )
As a home and business owner I had issues with crime in Bellingham. It can seem really serene on the surface, but it is a border town. You still need to lock things up and not walk alone at night. It's nothing like Las Vegas, but the appearance of safety can be deceiving.
Enjoy your move.

[CoastieTX]

I highly recommend you read the other threads on Bellingham so you are aware of the "unique" housing issues you may have to contend with. Bellingham is a nice town, with a lot to offer, but you will be in for a very difficult time trying to find a home if you can't spend at least $400K+, which might be more home than you want or need but that's the only thing available.

[impish1]

I'd be renting, not buying, so that's not an issue. I haven't decided on any one area yet. I'd like to go to school, and that's probably the only reason I'd consider Bellingham over Bainbridge Isl., Oak Harbor, Mt. Vernon, or Port Townsend. I might even consider Edmonds or Olympia. I'm not sure if Edmonds has a good university nearby, but I know Olympia has plenty of options. I'm just not sure if I want to live in such a large area as Olympia. Not to mention the rain issue... Does anyone know if there are universities or colleges near Bainbridge (in Seattle)?

[missy watts]

You would love Olympia! Evergreen State College breeds artists of all sorts, great farmer's market, two other colleges, close to beaches, great waterfront at Percival Landing, culture downtown (Washington Center for Performing Arts), etc.

I live in Olympia if you want info. Great schools too.......

[jaydbrk]

I would highly recommend Port Townsend or Port Angeles. Both have nicely low crime rates, plenty of parks, and are right on the water across from BC. Port Townsend is known as an art hub and has a lovely, historic downtown, and education via Washington State U. and Peninsula College extension. (it also has two of the best restaurants in which I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating-Finn’s and Café Salal). Port Angeles is right near the Olympic National Forest and not far from some dramatically beautiful Pacific shoreline and has education available via Western Washington U. and Peninsula College campus. I don’t know about the K-12 schools in either place, but there are so many options in this state to get a decent education. Here are some links that may help.

Port Townsend
http://www.ptguide.com/

Port Angeles
http://www.portangeles.org/index.html

I hope you find what you are looking for here. It’s a wonderful state.

[jaydbrk]

Oh, also check out Anacortes. I didn't think of it as i haven't spent time there like i have in PT and PA, but it has low crime, art, and ferries to BC.

http://www.anacortes.org/