Top Three neighborhoods/areas in Bellingham (Vancouver, Lynden: best neighborhoods, to rent, insurance)

[Iakovos Bond]

Hello!

Been lurking here for a while, but first time poster.

I live in Vancouver, WA, but my company is moving me north to Bellingham. I have read through the "Ugly Truth" thread, and others, to gather as much info as I could on Bellingham.

My question is this: What do you think are the three best neighborhoods in, or around Bellingham for someone with two little kids and who plans on RENTING, not BUYING?

I am shooting for a 3-bedroom house, not a condo, and won't spend much more than $1500/Month.

Right now we are looking at Edgemoor, Fairhaven (of course!), Sehome Hill, and the area West of Lake Padden. We have ruled out the areas north of Bellingham because of the concerns with crime, and Sudden Valley because of the winter-time road conditions.

Any advice? What are your top three spots for finding a house to rent?

Thanks!!!

[Iakovos Bond]

Bump!

Come on, someone help me out here :-)

[kmbrn]

Actually, I'd love information on this too....we are planning a move in the near future, either Bellingham or Mt. Vernon, and I'm looking for info about the "best" neighborhoods in terms of low crime rate and best schools.

Anybody?

[rkcarguy]

Edgemoor if you can. The rest are close to the college and therefore can be problematic...theft...drunks, drugs, noise etc.
That said, Everson, Nooksack, and Lynden are decent towns north of B'ham,

Kmbrn, things vary too much to say one or the other...I feel Mt. Vernon has a little more affordable living and offers more to do, but in this economy the job will decide where you end up. If your in some magic great depression proof job and can choose I'd go with one of Mt. Vernon or Burlingtons newer developments.

[Iakovos Bond]

[quote=rkcarguy;13319191]Edgemoor if you can. The rest are close to the college and therefore can be problematic...theft...drunks, drugs, noise etc.
That said, Everson, Nooksack, and Lynden are decent towns north of B'ham,

I agree the Edgemoor is ideal, but not sure if we can afford it. But I have a question about Lynden and other towns north of The Ham: What about crime?

How real is the concern about cross-border crime and Russian gangs? I may post this question as a separate thread....

[angelagardner]

You aren't going to find any sort of Russian gangs anywhere north of Bellingham or even so much in Bellingham. Towns outside of Bellingham are small country towns and not much crime other than bored teens breaking into cars once in a while stealing cd's and ipods. Maple Falls is high in crime but far from Bellingham (40-50 minute drive at least). Blaine, which is the border town to Canada and is very cute, good schools and safe--the border patrol agents are tough-even on Americans.
If you are looking for good schools stay away from the Northwest Road--Woods area. Columbia neighborhood has great schools but the homes are smaller, the Lettered Streets can be decent if you are on the right side, Cordata sometimes has nice homes and you are close to a lot of services, Fairhaven is good as well.

[rkcarguy]

Angel covered it for the most part, but I dislike fairhaven for it's proximity to the college.
Lynden, Everson, and Nooksack appear to be pretty clean, no problems since I have moved there.
It's nice that if you forget to lock your car ONE night, it's not gone or ransacked the next morning. Everson/Nooksack's police force is ON THE BALL-which is generally good but can be bad. Make sure all your lights work tabs are up to date and insurance and registration is all good...

[Baldy]

Originally Posted by Iakovos Bond

Hello!

Been lurking here for a while, but first time poster.

I live in Vancouver, WA, but my company is moving me north to Bellingham. I have read through the "Ugly Truth" thread, and others, to gather as much info as I could on Bellingham.

My question is this: What do you think are the three best neighborhoods in, or around Bellingham for someone with two little kids and who plans on RENTING, not BUYING?

I am shooting for a 3-bedroom house, not a condo, and won't spend much more than $1500/Month.

Right now we are looking at Edgemoor, Fairhaven (of course!), Sehome Hill, and the area West of Lake Padden. We have ruled out the areas north of Bellingham because of the concerns with crime, and Sudden Valley because of the winter-time road conditions.

Any advice? What are your top three spots for finding a house to rent?

Thanks!!!

Are you a city person? Got animals? Want land? 1500/mth will rent quite a bit up here.

[angelagardner]

Yeah, I agree. I lived in Nooksack/Everson and didn't even have to lock my doors at night or when I went to the store. It's such a small town outside Bellingham that it's pretty safe. I'm not saying Bellingham isn't safe, I don't feel unsafe walking around at night downtown or to my car after work at all. For the most part people treat you well if you treat them well. I have lived in Bellingham for most of my 14 years in Whatcom County and have never had problems at all.

[Iakovos Bond]

Originally Posted by Baldy

Are you a city person? Got animals? Want land? 1500/mth will rent quite a bit up here.

I can go city or country - I grew up in Santa Cruz, CA - kind of hippie/college town, but not too far from the bigger cities. If I was alone I would try to live right in Fairhaven, but with a wife and two kids, I am looking at Suburbia (boring, but safe) or the country (beautiful but remote).

I have also seen lots of homes that can be rented for $1500, but not in the best locations. It seems impossible to find anything in Edgemoor - Is it as tough as it looks on Craigslist to find a house to rent there? If Birch Bay was just a little close to B'Ham I would not hesitate. I have three months to find something...