Bellingham getting crowded? (Seattle: condos, buy, community college)

[west seattle gal]

We are in the process of moving there, and I've noticed lately the town is much larger than I initially assumed. Traffic is a bit clogged at times. I really fear that place is going to become another Seattle in terms of congestion, crowds, and prices. Once tech companies move in, the dam will break. God, I hope the Amazons and Microsofts of the world, and the condos and microhousing population they bring, stay far away! Even if it means no job option for my techie husband.

[Lamplight]

It's definitely growing steadily, but hopefully it won't be like Seattle within my lifetime. Fairhaven, for example, is still pretty much deserted after 10:30pm, even on the weekend.

[west seattle gal]

Tough to find parking there, though! I'm just surprised Bham is not a sleepy town. I absolutely love it, but like every selfish newbie hope that I'm the last person to move in and buy a house! :-)

[ndcairngorm]

If you are a working person you don't have much choice about when you get out on the streets, but we've noticed if we can get out in the morning and get to the places we need to go (shopping, etc.) and avoid traffic at noon on the Guide Meridian, we have no trouble with the traffic. Also, the newer parts of the town (north and eastern parts) are much busier than the areas near to the original downtown, where you can still drive around easily. Fairhaven gets pretty busy in the middle of the day but nothing in Bellingham equals Seattle, or looks likely to for a few years yet!

[Lamplight]

I don't have a car, so I generally avoid the north side of town, which also means I sometimes forget how congested it can be up there. However, for the most part Bellingham traffic doesn't hold a candle to traffic in my hometown in Tennessee, which is slightly larger. Imagine the Guide at rush hour, but twice as bad and on nearly every street in town and during any hour when it's daylight.

[perigee]

Yeah, you would be in for a shock if you thought sleepy and Bellingham goes together. The city is a college town, with Western, the expanding community college and a technical college. On top of that it has had steady growth since the 90's, which it has somehow accommodated the influx. The city will just keep expanding, especially northwards.

Another thing you have to account for is the Canadian traffic, especially on the Guide.

If you haven't bought, there are other options if want a town with a slower pace. Just hope you don't regret your move.

[waviking24]

It is considerably more crowded than it was even 5 years ago IMO. Whether because of people who actually live here or the Canadians that fill every parking lot in the north part of town, I'm not sure, but definitely don't move here expecting no traffic jams or plenty of parking. Even Fairhaven on a saturday or sunday can be a major hassle.

[Lamplight]

Originally Posted by waviking24

Even Fairhaven on a saturday or sunday can be a major hassle.

Absolutely true. A good example is the Haggen parking lot!

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by west seattle gal

We are in the process of moving there, and I've noticed lately the town is much larger than I initially assumed. Traffic is a bit clogged at times. ....

Steer clear of Costco Milk Aisle if you want to avoid TRAFFIC!

[jaja111]

Originally Posted by Lamplight

Absolutely true. A good example is the Haggen parking lot!

"parking lot". There, fixed it for ya. That store's lot is useless.