Planning a move from NC to Bellingham (Seattle, Oak Harbor: rentals, HOA)

[kynight]

Originally Posted by NW Crow

The tulips are a pretty big commercial business and tourist draw.


Only 30,000 in Mount Vernon itself but 120k in the metro comprised of MV and Anacortes and places around them. Metro growing by about 1,000 per year.


Slightly cheaper and slightly lower Democratic party registration.


Was originally a logging town then the railroad became important. Not really part of the new economy, at least yet. Unemployment higher than much of the Puget Sound region.


The Skagit Valley is beautiful.

I'm more republican leaning but really don't care about politics. I voted for Trump mostly for not sugar-coating the economy during his campaign.

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by kynight

Are you implying that Bellingham doesn't have sidewalks? I recall walking on roads in Bellingham, can't remember the sidewalk situation. But being more expensive I would definitely expect a network of sidewalks even beyond the town center.

No, Bellingham has sidewalks. You mentioned you wanted sidewalks- so I was just pointing out that you'll find them around downtown Mt. Vernon as well. It's a smaller, established town.

[NW4me]

Originally Posted by kynight

Are you implying that Bellingham doesn't have sidewalks? I recall walking on roads in Bellingham, can't remember the sidewalk situation. But being more expensive I would definitely expect a network of sidewalks even beyond the town center.

I visited Bham last month (for just a day) and on the whole was impressed.
As to sidewalks -- mostly, yes, but perhaps there'll be gaps in the newer parts of town.
I walked from the Cordata bus station to a restaurant on Meridian, and noticed that
on the street I was taking (Westerly Road), in places the sidewalk would simply end.
That's not unusual in recently-developed parts of US cities -- the streets are designed
for cars; anything else is an afterthought.

But as I've said in other posts, the Bellingham bus system is remarkably good.

[bartonizer]

Originally Posted by kynight

So what's the difference between Bellingham and Mount Vernon?

I see Mount Vernon has many tulips and is closer to Seattle. Do the tulips indicate a friendly city? Mount Vernon also appears cheaper, but I'm not sure if there's a good reason for that.

Is there a certain type of people who move to one over the other? Bellingham seems popular just for being the gateway city to Canada.

When I first went to Canada I briefly stopped in both and honestly I said to myself I would never live near the Canada border/ border patrol for the trouble I've experienced and flash-backs, including having to drive across Canada to reach closer to home on east coast. Do people really like living near the border? I feel like I need a buffer zone between my residence and border. I use to feel uneasy until I drove at least 1 state away from the border. But not to ramble...

The tulips (and daffodils) grow in the giant fields in the flat land to the west of Mt. Vernon, so it's a colorful tourist draw in the spring. The Skagit Valley is pretty, and it's a good location to access the San Juans and North Cascades NP. But it's also more country feeling, which you may or may not like. It's a relatively good bargain- I know several people who commute to Bham, and several that commute to Seattle, as it's less than an hour from Everett and is considered by some to be the outermost exurb.

As Ruth mentioned, Bham has more of a city feel, like a cool Seattle or Portland neighborhood without the traffic. There's definitely more of a cachet to Bellingham, as it's regarded as a happening place to be. The university plays a role; but it's also become a more sought after outdoor destination town, with lot of paddlers, skiers/snowboarders, and mountain bikers calling this place home. We've got several beautiful lakes in town and we're on the bay, with world class mountain biking (look up Galbraith Mountain) and hiking in town. Also, much of the city is bike/walk friendly, especially west of I-5. No lack of sidewalks here, either in the neighborhoods or downtown- though not as many in the newer, suburban and retail areas on the north side of town. Anyway, we also have a lot of trails and bike lanes, FWIW.

Bham is growing in population with Vancouverites as a tourism destination. And it's always been a big shopping area for BC folks, but Bellingham does not feel like you're living right on the border- which is 20+ miles north.

[kynight]

Originally Posted by NW4me

I visited Bham last month (for just a day) and on the whole was impressed.
As to sidewalks -- mostly, yes, but perhaps there'll be gaps in the newer parts of town.
I walked from the Cordata bus station to a restaurant on Meridian, and noticed that
on the street I was taking (Westerly Road), in places the sidewalk would simply end.
That's not unusual in recently-developed parts of US cities -- the streets are designed
for cars; anything else is an afterthought.

But as I've said in other posts, the Bellingham bus system is remarkably good.

I know what you mean with sidewalks ending. I walk a lot for exercise and see that, luckily the roads aren't very crowded, which makes crossing a road easier.

I currently live in a city with a total of 6 bus lines, all originate from main street and come every hour. It's a small city but that helps many people.

[dental257]

I live on Whidbey Island. Navy Community. Many of our Civilians/Sailors and their families live/travel from Bellingham/Mt.Vernon/Marysville/Sedro area and beyond. Some by VanPool. Either is good, to my mind. Bellingham is def larger, but either is good IMO.

[kynight]

Originally Posted by bartonizer

The tulips (and daffodils) grow in the giant fields in the flat land to the west of Mt. Vernon, so it's a colorful tourist draw in the spring. The Skagit Valley is pretty, and it's a good location to access the San Juans and North Cascades NP. But it's also more country feeling, which you may or may not like. It's a relatively good bargain- I know several people who commute to Bham, and several that commute to Seattle, as it's less than an hour from Everett and is considered by some to be the outermost exurb.

As Ruth mentioned, Bham has more of a city feel, like a cool Seattle or Portland neighborhood without the traffic. There's definitely more of a cachet to Bellingham, as it's regarded as a happening place to be. The university plays a role; but it's also become a more sought after outdoor destination town, with lot of paddlers, skiers/snowboarders, and mountain bikers calling this place home. We've got several beautiful lakes in town and we're on the bay, with world class mountain biking (look up Galbraith Mountain) and hiking in town. Also, much of the city is bike/walk friendly, especially west of I-5. No lack of sidewalks here, either in the neighborhoods or downtown- though not as many in the newer, suburban and retail areas on the north side of town. Anyway, we also have a lot of trails and bike lanes, FWIW.

Bham is growing in population with Vancouverites as a tourism destination. And it's always been a big shopping area for BC folks, but Bellingham does not feel like you're living right on the border- which is 20+ miles north.

That all explains why real estate is a tad high. I think Bellingham sold itself as a resort town for growth and tax payers to fund more projects. The people who have lived there a while probably never saw it as a resort city but that's what realtors play from, especially to Canadians who see it's a good deal.

My current lease ends after October ends so I may need to come late Sept/early October and find an apartment, then make the final move with a trailer of belongings.

[kynight]

Originally Posted by dental257

I live on Whidbey Island. Navy Community. Many of our Civilians/Sailors and their families live/travel from Bellingham/Mt.Vernon/Marysville/Sedro area and beyond. Some by VanPool. Either is good, to my mind. Bellingham is def larger, but either is good IMO.

It seems like quite a few people live on those westward islands. I tried to look up photos. I grew up in an air force community, was peaceful.

[mayfair]

Originally Posted by kynight

It seems like quite a few people live on those westward islands. I tried to look up photos. I grew up in an air force community, was peaceful.

Check out Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island.

[kynight]

Originally Posted by mayfair

Check out Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island.

Thanks. I have. It's also nice to see flights to the west coast aren't much higher than flights within the east coast. And I assume people use SEA over vancouver airport to avoid potential delays at the border.