Bellingham Travel Forum

Would it be wrong to label Bellingham as having a sleepy and rural atmosphere? I was going to visit Bellingham this fall and Northern Seattle/Ballard, but unfortunately my travel plans fell through at the last minute. I was going to check out the Ballard neighborhood as a place to relocate but wanted to see if it might be too congested and suburban in nature...(not what I am going for!) and also I was going to check out Bellingham to see if the city had a sleepy/rural (more country than nature) mood to it...(also not what I am looking for). Nature, culture, an active environment minus the fast pace and stress, a neighborhood with character, diversity in activities, child friendly, near water, bookstores, coffee, music, gourmet food...really I'm looking for an area that is well balanced in all of these aspects! Bellingham sounds great but I can't shake the impression that it may feel too slow paced for my liking. I don't want the crowds and congestion just a good mix of activity. I will visit the city in the near future but until then want to have an idea of what it is like. What words come to mind when Bellingham comes to mind for someone who has been there? Does sleepy fit the bill?

Greetings All,
My family and I will be exploring Bellingham next summer as a potential place to relocate to. It sounds like a great fit in so many ways; we're looking for a progressive place to raise our two boys where you can walk to stuff and every restaurant and retail store isn't a franchise with a University and an outdoorsy focused lifestyle. So looking forward to visiting for sure!
My question is this: How are the schools there? Our oldest is just 3 so we don't have any experience yet but we're pretty sure that the Montessori approach will be the best fit for our boys. I know the only Montessori schools in Bham are private, anyone have experience with them? How are the public schools? Are they at all creative in their teaching approach or is it the same cookie cutter method that we're hearing horror stories about?

Thanks so much for any help.

Cheers,
-Eric

My family and I visit Beelingham frequently but only as far as Bellisfair mall and other Big Box mall stores near by. Is there an original downtown Bellingham? Can you help with directions from Bellisfair mall or there abouts? Thanks for the help.

Last night I heard rave reviews about the following restaurant from a Mexican couple: http://whatcom.kulshan.com/Washington/Whatcom_County/Bellingham/Fountain-Meridian/Restaurants/Mi_Mexico.htm

Has anyone else ever tried it? If so, what's your opinion?

Robert

Hey all, hows it going? I'm an avid hiker living in Bellingham, and I'm trying to expand my list of hiking/chilling buddies. Anyone in here interested in hitting the trails at all? Anyway, you are welcome to reply to this or email me if your interested. I hope you all are having a great day!
Chris
Hikingwithoutlimits@hotmail.com

Hello Fellow VT'ers,

I am headed to your town (1/31/06 - 2/1/06) to do a seminar (Managing Emotions Under Pressure) at the Best Western Heritage Inn on McLeod Road. Anyone there in meeting please email me asap. Yes, I am the seminar leader and would love to meet you and hear about the local culture. Thanks a million!!

Hi,

We are taking a Greyhound from Vancouver to Bellingham. Can you please tell me what is the most direct/fastest combination of buses to take from the Fairhaven Station to Bellis Fair?

Also, anything else to do, any other shopping areas in Bellingham we shouldn't miss?

TIA

are there whale watching boat trips from Bellingham?

hello!
i will be traveling to(and most likely relocating to ) bellingham in the next few months. can anyone let me know where the good neighborhoods are? we would be looking for a one bedroom in a building that has been renovated into apartments (not an apartment complex setting situation). we can spend 500/mo> any advice for property managers? any advice on where to stay (cheap hotel/hostel) while we search for an apt? thanks for your help!
jessica

How many hours does it take to drive from Bellingham to Whistler BC? How long does it take to drive from Bellingham to Mt Baker ski area?

At the end of the year I will be moving to Washington to finish my degree at WWU, and after spending the past few years in Washington DC and Portland, I have realized I prefer a more quiet existence. In fact, I am hoping to find a place off the beaten path somewhere between Bellingham and Anacortes. I would love any suggestions of favorite (affordable) spots. Thanks :)