What's your view on Blaine, WA?

[kynight]

Originally Posted by JackLonsdale

Actually, the Costco moved to its new location to the north end of Bellingham in order to better accommodate Canadian shoppers. There is a plan in place by Costco to extend Arctic Way to the arterials that extend north to the Canadian border. So don't blame Canadians - blame Costco!

But you can thank Canadians in part for Bellingham's attractive airport. Canadians drive a huge part of the flight traffic demand out of there ... particularly to the sunshine destinations. Unfortunately, the airport's business has dropped lately thanks to fewer Canadians coming down. The sluggish loonie is a big reason why.

As for Blaine - it's an attractive border town in my opinion. Have you seen the housing developments at Semiahmoo? But it IS a border town. Also, the downtown has a ton of potential, and the same folks who fixed up Fairhaven in Bellingham apparently are working on building projects in Blaine. However, it is definitely NOT White Rock-south (White Rock is just heavily built up in a positive way with a ton of parks and waterfront amenities and shopping); and it is most certainly not a mini-Bellingham (the vibe and politics are so different). As for Canadian shoppers IN Blaine? I suspect there aren't that many. Canadians in Blaine are either: a) buying gas; b) buying beer; c) going to the post office or parcel service; or d) they are lost. They also love the new Edaleen Dairy store downtown (and who doesn't?).

However, you are not going to find a Niagara Falls or Detroit/Windsor dynamic at Blaine/White Rock. Vancouver just has too much of a gravitational pull for activities, and Seattle requires a day-trip.

Besides traffic, what's wrong with being a border town?

[JackLonsdale]

Originally Posted by kynight

Besides traffic, what's wrong with being a border town?

I don't see anything wrong with it. Actually, I see it as an advantage - as I made clear in my post.

[kynight]

Originally Posted by JackLonsdale

I don't see anything wrong with it. Actually, I see it as an advantage - as I made clear in my post.

The new homes in Semiahmoo are nice. Many are gated for some reason. There's a feeling of calm and safety, which could become boring. Blaine is slowly growing according to the census. I rather live in the Blaine area than most of Bellingham.

[rkcarguy]

Originally Posted by kynight

Blaine could work if you shop groceries in Bellingham, which I bet most Blaine'ers visit regularly. I still think Canadian traffic wouldn't be a bad thing, unless you live right near the pier area near the border entrance. I don't think White Rock residents complain about traffic, even though they have more.

Well what happens is the border traffic equalizes between the Blaine peace arch, Blaine truck crossing(which also has regular lanes as well for those that don't know), and the Lynden crossing. All it takes is a weaker USD and we'll have 90 minute waits northbound backed up everywhere. I have seen border traffic backed up almost to the end of the northbound truck crossing I-5 offramp, and over the H-street exit overpass on I-5. Right now, and for the past several years, the CDN dollar has been in the dumpster so its not nearly as bad as it was but there is still more Canadian shoppers than I expected. I can't imagine the next time things get close to PAR again.

[Pahn]

I used to live in Blaine. It was a very nice, quiet little town that was a relatively quick drive from Bellingham. I bought up there because it was significantly cheaper than Bham at the time, and sold for way less than I should have because I was in a hurry.


I'd rather live in Bham if I ever make it back out that way, but Blaine might be all I can afford by that time. I want to wish for a market correction of some sort, but that sort of makes me look like a jerk.

[Swampoid13]

Poor school. Families don't want to put their kids there.

[RMESMH]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Yeah, I'm surprised Birch Bay hasn't been "discovered" as a great, scenic place to live, retirement destination, whatever.


Shhhhh....

I discovered Birch Bay on my own....and I haven't told anyone about it.

I have some friends in the Bay Area who are Birch Bay fans....but I didn't tell them about it, and they didn't tell me about it.

I knew that they had stayed at Semiahmoo a number of times...but I didn't think they had ever left the resort .

I didn't know they were Birch Bay fans until I mentioned that I had been there.

And I'm not a Bellingham fan.....but, like you, I am a Port Townsend fan .