Bellingham: what you won't find on the web (South Hill, Startup: best neighborhood, house)

[DocAdam]

Similar people settle in neighborhoods that meet their needs, leading to various areas attracting folks of similar incomes, lifestyles, lifestages, and urbanization. While you can find generic descriptions of Bellingham neighborhoods, they won't really tell you what your neighbors are like. Admittedly, these generalizations that I gleaned from a market analysis only speak to clusters, they might prove useful for house hunters in narrowing their search. This goes from the wealthiest clusters along the waterfront to the lowest incomes near the colleges.

Wealthy conspicuous consumers: Edgemoor, Chuckanut
Exurbanites: Lake Whatcom
Young affluent families: Lake Whatcom
Suburbanites with urban lifestyle: Silver Beach, Whatcom Falls, Samish
Blue collar pastoral: rural Whatcom
Metropolitans: Alabama Hill, South Hill, Sunnyland, Fairhaven
Frugal families: Birchwood
Startup families: North of Alabama Street
Farming and Country: much of rural Whatcom
Established suburban families: Puget
Retirement Communities: Cornwall Park
Single renters: Lettered Streets, King Mtn, Cordata
30 something blue collar families: Meridian
Inner City Tenants: Roosevelt, Guide
College and post-college: Happy Valley, York, Sehome

[NWbyNW]

I agree with pretty much every you shared here. It's very true.

[jojo7]

Originally Posted by DocAdam

Similar people settle in neighborhoods that meet their needs, leading to various areas attracting folks of similar incomes, lifestyles, lifestages, and urbanization. While you can find generic descriptions of Bellingham neighborhoods, they won't really tell you what your neighbors are like. Admittedly, these generalizations that I gleaned from a market analysis only speak to clusters, they might prove useful for house hunters in narrowing their search. This goes from the wealthiest clusters along the waterfront to the lowest incomes near the colleges.

Wealthy conspicuous consumers: Edgemoor, Chuckanut
Exurbanites: Lake Whatcom
Young affluent families: Lake Whatcom
Suburbanites with urban lifestyle: Silver Beach, Whatcom Falls, Samish
Blue collar pastoral: rural Whatcom
Metropolitans: Alabama Hill, South Hill, Sunnyland, Fairhaven
Frugal families: Birchwood
Startup families: North of Alabama Street
Farming and Country: much of rural Whatcom
Established suburban families: Puget
Retirement Communities: Cornwall Park
Single renters: Lettered Streets, King Mtn, Cordata
30 something blue collar families: Meridian
Inner City Tenants: Roosevelt, Guide
College and post-college: Happy Valley, York, Sehome

Wow. Very interesting. I think I will print your post and save it. I think this could be very valuable information when you want to know what type of neighbors you might end up with before you purchase. Great post. Thanks!

[NWbyNW]

Other websites use key words like "diversity" or "improving" to sugar coat areas. This is a good list.

For example:

Moderator cut: link removed

[jaja111]

Nice list! Just what I have been researching regarding a future move to the area. My wife grew up in Bham and misses it. Now that we have a 19 month old here in Western NY, her yearning grows stronger. Being a NY'er (more of a midwesterner if anyone knows the layout of NY.... the layout the way the OP has stated the facts regarding Bham area), I've been doing my homework and come to the exact same conclusions as DocAdam. Nice to have it solidified so to speak.

[jaja111]

Anyone have a any "favorite" neighborhoods, and why?

[DocAdam]

Personal Favorite is Whatcom Falls. Next to Whatcom Fall park, lots of tree-lined streams, most tree cover in the area, friendly neighbors, kid friendly, lots of starter homes

[Snowman05]

If someone wants walkable access to the bay and beach the area between Squalicum Harbor and Locust Beach is the best neighborhood (Birchwood, Alderwood). The other neighborhoods are greasy IMO.

[bartonizer]

Originally Posted by Snowman05

If someone wants walkable access to the bay and beach the area between Squalicum Harbor and Locust Beach is the best neighborhood (Birchwood, Alderwood). The other neighborhoods are greasy IMO.

Sure, if you want access to the beach to Squalicum or Locust, Birchwood and Alderwood are the closest. It's a little further from other spots. What's a "greasy" neighborhood?

Personally, I like Sunnyland, Lettered Streets, and York. Old, walkable, and very centrally located, and all with individual flavors.

[Snowman05]

Originally Posted by bartonizer

Sure, if you want access to the beach to Squalicum or Locust, Birchwood and Alderwood are the closest. It's a little further from other spots. What's a "greasy" neighborhood?

Personally, I like Sunnyland, Lettered Streets, and York. Old, walkable, and very centrally located, and all with individual flavors.

You know, greasy.. people doing drugs on their front porch, blasting Passenger at 2 am, peculiar smells, overgrown algae, stray cats, etc.