Help Please Bham or Blaine or.... (Seattle, Vancouver: renter, crime rate, house)

[gilber1998]

Hi all,

We are looking to relocate to WA as my hubby is from BC and the family is on Van Island. We have 2 boys, 7 & 4 and are looking to raise them around people that have values circa 1977 (ha). We love the outdoors, would like to be able to have a house and still be able to afford a sitter for the occasional date night.

We were just in Bham and loved it, but housing is pricey for sure. Looking in Blaine, it seems a lot more affordable but does it have the same appeal as Bham?

We appreciate any help....

[Alcon]

I have to be honest when I say that I wasn't close to being born in 1977, so you might have to tell me what that means. :P

Blaine is smaller than Bellingham, of course. It's a pleasant little small town. I'm afraid that I don't have intimate experience with it. Speaking to 1977 values...Bellingham is MUCH further to the left than Blaine is. Blaine is a political battleground, while Bellingham is about as liberal as Washington gets outside of Seattle.

If you're looking for a town as funky and left-winged as Bellingham, nope, Blaine just isn't your place. The Lummi Reservation/Lummi Island is much more rural, but the housing prices are lower and it has a similar appeal. It does, however, have some poverty associated with Indian reservations.

[gilber1998]

By 1977 I mean, not such a fast pace, that was the year that came to mind when the world didn't seem to be in such a hurry....

[gilber1998]

Sorry, I didn't see your full message....new to the site. Thanks for your help, any information is sure helpful! One more thing, what is your take on the gloomy days. I don't mind the sun not shining all the time. I'm in Chicagoland or should I say humidityland so the sun just makes it worse. I have read a few people moved because of the s.a.d. do you think children would adapt as well? Thanks again for your reply

[RobE]

Blaine's property crime rate is very high, 50% worse than national average. But violent crime isn't that much of a problem.

Bellingham has even higher property crime than Blaine and is a bit more dangerous, too. The overall crime rate in Bellingham is about 20% higher than Blaine.

[Royaspin]

Word of advise..Stay in Bellingham.Its overpriced in Blaine and very cliquish.Blaine tends to be predominately white conservative Christians who stick to themselves and don't like outsiders too much even when they've lived next to someone for two years .If your a renter they wont associate with you.Been here for two years and have only had one neighbor introduce themselves.I could go on and on but the point is Bellingham has much more to offer even if you have slightly higher crime rate.Ive been broken into twice and the cops up here did nothing and never even returned my calls when they said they would.Thats pretty crappy for such a small town.I cant wait to move back down to Bellingham where I wont get the evil eye if I have a black friend over for a visit or if I let my grass grow more than two inches.Anyways I realize the original post is an older one but I forewarn anyone who wants to move here to examine what it will cost you to commute to work and also to buy groceries because you wont find any deals here.

[SemiahmooDude]

Originally Posted by Royaspin

Word of advise..Stay in Bellingham.Its overpriced in Blaine and very cliquish.Blaine tends to be predominately white conservative Christians who stick to themselves and don't like outsiders too much even when they've lived next to someone for two years .If your a renter they wont associate with you.Been here for two years and have only had one neighbor introduce themselves.I could go on and on but the point is Bellingham has much more to offer even if you have slightly higher crime rate.Ive been broken into twice and the cops up here did nothing and never even returned my calls when they said they would.Thats pretty crappy for such a small town.I cant wait to move back down to Bellingham where I wont get the evil eye if I have a black friend over for a visit or if I let my grass grow more than two inches.Anyways I realize the original post is an older one but I forewarn anyone who wants to move here to examine what it will cost you to commute to work and also to buy groceries because you wont find any deals here.

I am sorry to hear your experience with Blaine has not been as positive as you would have liked - I do feel that experience is the exception to the rule though.

Politically speaking, Blaine tends to run just a tad right of center - though there are many left leaning folks around Blaine as well - any reading of the local newspaper will show that. And while the political debate gets somewhat heated during important elections cycles such as this last one, that is common to most communities large and small.

I have found Blaine to be consistently well mannered and good natured, and as for affordability - you have a wide range of housing options from as low as 100k to much higher if you choose, with averages falling around the low 200's. For Western Washington, that makes Blaine quite affordable particular being a community that falls on the I-5 corridor and is within reasonable drive times to major metropolitan areas such as Vancouver and Seattle.

The Blaine schools are solid, being recognized nationally for their emphasis on advanced placement classes. That is not to say the district does not face challenges - but ALL schools face challenges, be they budgetary or other.

The natural beauty of the area is fantastic, with the seaside and the mountains. Blaine's vibe compliments this scenary well, with a slower pace and charm that is unique to certain seaside communities.

Bellingham is larger, more expensive generally, though it too has its share of more affordable housing choices, and as was stated, tends to be far more left of center than the surrounding Whatcom County communities. It is large enough that it provides most everything one would need from a city, while still maintaining a comfortable small-city feel to it.

If you are more comfortable in smaller communities, Blaine would be a great fit. If you prefer more "citified" surrounding, Bellingham should be given serious consideration.

I enjoy both areas greatly and rate them highly among other parts of Western Washington.

And then there is Semiahmoo in particular...

[jinj]

Go for bayne, wa . . . more rural and quiet, very safe.