If you are wealthy Bellingham is a great location. If you're not, you could end up homeless. The jobs are mostly service jobs. And when I lived in Bellingham, I met people working two or three jobs and still having problem paying the rent. The rental market is insane and the reason why I left in 2017. And it's bitter cold in the winter--windy, rainy, and the chill factor of the Frazier Valley. Oh, and certain parts of the city have a meth problem. Blaine, Everson, and Ferndale are not near Bellingham.

Woops! Might want to update your video. We live in B’ham and with our Nexus pass, we drive to Vancouver (for our BIG city fix) a few times a month. It’s completely easy. Canada’s open, Dude😊!

I lived there for 2.5 years. It was a fun time, but at the end of the day if you are not into outdoor activities it isn't the place for you. It's a large town with a University, not a small city. That's ok. There is a cultural difference though. Bellingham likes the slow pace and small town vibe. It's also the last city before the Canadian Border thus the reason for so much of the homeless population. The price of living is lower than many of the near by cities for renters however, but like many cities homeownership is expensive and wages are low.

Thank you so much! I miss Bellingham in a whole special way compared to other places I’ve lived.

The con is that because this used to be such a great place to live, affluent urban area transplants have driven up home prices, created rush hour traffic when there used to be none, and generally made everywhere more crowded and expensive than ever before

Tommy, this is so well done, I can't believe you don't have more subscribers! Great run-down on the area (makes me want to move there, haha!)

I moved to Bellingham back in the ‘70s and lived there for close to 4 years before moving back to Arizona where I was born. I moved back to Bellingham in the ‘90s until I retired and moved back to Arizona to be close to family. PRO Bellingham is absolutely gorgeous with lot of greenery and outdoor activities. Both Mt Baker and Bellingham Bay are very close, so depending on what type of activity you are in the mood for you have those choices along with the various lake and rivers within close vicinity. If you want to take a day trip you could take a drive to Seattle, catch a ferry to Orcas Island, drive the loop through Winthrop (country style) and Leavenworth (German style), or go to La Conner to do some antiquing. If you wanted, you could head into Canada and check out Vancouver or Victoria…at least you used to while I lived there. Traveling is a fairly easy since there is also a train or bus that could take you other parts of the state if you so choose. Best part is the great seafood options. CONs Housing costs are through the roof, irregardless whether you’re renting or looking to buy a home. Weather sucks and fluctuates quite a bit. Between the rain or drizzling rain along with the cold seeping into your bones, even in summer, you couldn’t always count 100% on good weather for any outdoor events. I’ll never forget wearing a coat waiting for the fireworks at Bellingham Boulevard on July 4th!!! Another con while I lived there was the escalating drug problem (unfortunately, that is in every city). Homeless camps/people has increased and, from what I understand, has taken over parts of downtown (especially prior to and during Covid), which doesn’t bode well for the citizens, business owners, nor the visitors. -- Bellingham is one of my favorite places, especially the scenery, but I could not afford to live there on my limited retirement income. Plus too doggone cold.

I moved off east of I-5 off 236 exit, an past the speedway! I can relate too snow an rain with pictures of 2ft snow on roof. My best memories of area was on Skagit River in my 22ft aluminum jet boat. Even with V-8 an really heavy boat, salmon school so thick, not enough water in river, where fish actually lifted my boat out of the water, bouncing it like a toy! (Note: Skagit water level was above average, just too many fish in school. Making river shake like a dragon passing underwater!?)

This video completely overlooks THE major con. No doubt about it, the homeless situation is a tremendous, unavoidable con. Trespass, break-ins/crime, car/bike theft and indigent dudes just laying about. Downtown Bellingham is quite depressing due to Opportunity Council + homelessness. Solutions like 1022 N. State are dangerous and neighbors know the terrible consequence of irresponsible oversight. Try to open your eyes to this decline and reality. Meth + fentanyl (openly used in front of 1022) have made matters extremely serious of late. I don't know that I want to live in Bellingham anymore. Additional funding for no-barrier housing in downtown seems a dreadful albeit likely idea. It's sad! but I think you should tell the truth about it.

Good to visit for a day or two, mainly for outdoor activities. Downtown looks pretty rough imo.

You nailed all the pros but didn’t mention these cons: high crime rate, common smash and dash at all the parks and trailheads, growing homeless population, large population of drug addicts downtown that carry weapons and break into cars, and very high property taxes.

Bellingham will be our base next year when we celebrate our 30th. We plan to visit the San Juan islands, Mt. Baker, Vancouver, and discover the local amenities. I like the idea that the town has a significant airport too.

Wow, this place looks amazing. I'm a student from the UK thinking of moving to Bellingham after my degree (2 years time). I live in North Wales and the outdoor stuff is very reminiscent of over here. Luckily my dad is from California and so I automatically have US citizenship.

Nice presentation. Did you shoot everything in this video yourself? How many residential transactions per year there? Thinking of moving back that way. Been away since the 80's.

One hour to Seattle???!!! What the heck are you driving?

17-year resident. Pro: the way the town has grown without going crazy (housing prices nothwithstanding). Con: Major con! The explosion of homeless people and the drugs and crime they bring. There's an entire story about said explosion, bottom line being, IMO, the city isn't moving fast enough to resolve it.

I know the cost of apartments and other housing is high but how much higher is staying in an RV park compared to somewhere like Portland, Oregon?

Hey, great video. We are looking into moving there and will visit to test the waters for a month. Any recommendations on neighborhoods or towns that are close to nature want mt baker in particular? I heard the road to Mt Baker is full of sketchy towns.

Min. 2:23 I thought Bellingham was to the South of Victoria BC, but to my surprise, in this map of the area i see Bellingham is to the Northeast of Victoria BC! How long it takes a drive from Bellingham to New Westminster, BC? (Note: I want to emigrate to BC)

I've lived in the Bellingham area my whole life, and it has really gone down hill in the last 5 years. Housing is completely unaffordable, crime and homelessness is getting out of control, and taxes are way to high. If you have the money to live in the rich areas you might be ok, but for working class people and families things are getting tough out there. I pretty much stay away from the city these days because of the crime and homeless drug addicts on every corner. It's a shame because it is a very beautiful city and used to be a great place to live. Hopefully it cleans up someday.

I lived in Bellingham WA in 1978 when the three-story house I rented a room in -- corner of Holly and High streets -- sold of only $100.00 down. WOW!!! I knew it was for sale but being young and stupid, I did nothing. I left in 1980 -- a week before Mt. St. Helen's blew -- because of family in Texas. Next year needed me. But I new regret leaving. I plan to return to Bellingham in April and make it my home again. But now I live in a van! (Don't guess that helps you much.)

Canada is now open

My Pro's and Con's of living in Bellingham WA. About 6 and a half years from 2015 to 2021 I have lived there. Well what I noticed is most locals are to themselves and don't initiate communication much. I've walked those streets been to the farmers markets joined clubs gone to many bars a whole lot and I mean a WHOLE LOT. And noticed that I'm rarely greeted or noticed so if your an introvert with no friends I would HIGHLY Say don't live in Bellingham unless you got friends or lots of family, or Really a Social butterfly who can wooooo these type of people. Its not like i did not try though. okay Anyways I won't recommend college up there either. Although tourists or people that just moved there are better than that. and if your a kid you probably won't have this problem So that's my HUGE CON as an adult that moved there. Yeah the only communication I was getting really was just from my brother. 6 YEARS... and now I'm more quiet then ever after that experience yeah I know covid also put more of a damper on it to. Pros Great scenic areas, Great parks, Nice Circus performers, Great trails, awesome Art, just a lot of Great views in a historical city. Great Beer infact some of the best IPA beer I've ever had.

Lived there once. Wouldn't live there again if you paid me to. Most boring, unfriendly and uptight place I've ever lived in 70 years.

My favorite part of Bellingham is Whatcom Falls. Some of the best swimming holes around this part.

You had me at outdoor activities.. I'm sold.. was debating on whether Bellingham or Bothell. Thoughts?

Con it’s definitely the high cost of housing Bellingham’s rising home values were the main reason the city was named one of the 50 worst in America to live in Pro Water. Mountains, beaches, rivers, lakes, the standard of living by FAR surpasses the southwest in every aspect. The lack of hurricanes, sandstorms, flash floods, tornados, mosquitos, rattlesnakes, scorpions and deadly animals of most kinds also strikes me as pretty great But with every place theres positives and negatives it's all on perception in what someone wants out of life if you can stand 1/3 of the year of winter then live in Washington if you can stand 1/3 of the year of heat live in Arizona (Phoenix Arizona native who live in Bellingham for 15 years)

Great video and info about Bellingham. Our son lives in Sudden Valley and he is trying to convince us to move up there from So. Cal. We've been there twice to visit and love the area. It was in September and this past June. We also visited Vancouver, BC. Love how close the border is from Bellingham, which is open now. Anyway, we have not been there in the colder months yet. So, we may wait until winter to make another visit. Thanks for the video.

Man you brought a lot of wonderful memories :/ I used to be student over there, and I can’t wait to visit again!!

I moved up here from California a few years ago to escape the crowds and extreme heat. I absolutely LOVE the dynamic weather and the fact that high temps are rare. I even love the little snow we can get in the winter. So weather, plus the green beautiful forests, nearness to the ocean, lakes, and rivers makes this the perfect spot for me.

So true about any crash not bothering B'ham. Back in 2008.... houses kept going up in price. It's really amazing. I believe the average income per household is around 60 thousand... average price of house is around 600,000... how can people afford to move here to work? yep... that's why I rent rooms in my house. This place is CRAZY but cool.

Is there anything to do if you aren't a pasty white hipster?

The food scene here is overrated. Most restaurants here are too expensive for what you get. Also the homeless crisis isn't just a random problem that's happening to Bellingham, it's a symptom of decades of neo-liberal policies coming home to roost. Y'all demonizing homeless people in the comments need to do some more thinking.

We do not have the ocean here in bellingham. We have the bay.

You forgot to throw in the homeless contently being the decay of bellingham!

Something I'm curious about the city's plans of climate change and what will climate change effect in the city

How are housing prices not dropping a pro? lol thats a con. How does anyone afford a $650k house? Insane.

the bellingham city council allows homeless people with weapons to camp on the sidewalks here. they also allow out in the open drug dealing of fentanyl

Job opportunities ❓

Sorry, but coming from SoCal, and working in the restaurant industry, the restaurants are not exciting. Every time that a good place opens, it goes out of business within two years. Otherwise, I agree with most of what this guy reports.

the uiversity,

Seattle, WA = Vancouver, BC; Bellingham, WA = Nanaimo, BC

What is the crime rate? Maybe you forgot to mention it. Maybe for you it is out of sight out of mind?

Yo! I'm a local!

what are the politics in Bellingham? Is it more Liberal or more Conservative ?

Bro don’t tell people about the bagelry !!!! And shiiiitt this video makes more people want to come = house prices go up !

Most of the cons have been addressed by either Mr. Mutchler or in the comments, and unfortunately they are pretty spot on. Bellingham's pro's however far outweigh the cons. One bonus to B'ham that wasn't mentioned is the fact that it's a college town (Western Washington University). Of course, college students can contribute their own brand of mayhem, but all things considered, Bellingham benefits from the young, dynamic and progressive-thinking crowd that the university attracts.

The cons you failed to mention are skyrocketing crime, drug abuse, homelessness, and mental illness.

The homeless population is a huge problem. From petty theft/crime, litter and just the unsightliness.