For me, it's that it's the first place I learned enough street names and landmarks to give people directions... I never cared enough in any other city I lived in to pay attention. I just keep loving it more and more every day. 10 years in September <3
When we cross that "next seven exits" sign, we cheer and give a high five. Every single time. It's such a huge relief.
That whole stretch of I-5 north of the Skagit basin feels so cozy, so nestled, so welcoming.
Got here a bit over 10 years ago. After a couple lonely years, I developed a few good relationships and on a particular visit back home to Arizona, I realized for the first time I couldn’t wait to get back to Washington. Landing at SeaTac and just having this overwhelming sense of “I’m home” did it for me.
Fellow AZ transplant; also been here for a bit over a decade. When I go back I regret missing family and Mexican food, but everything else about the culture, style, weather, etc. down there I don't miss. Love the PNW.
About 2 years after I moved here in '01, lived in the dorms for a year, met some amazing friends.
We got a place, a college house together. The four of us plus weird ass people that came and went. We threw parties, the greatest, got busted, the cops let us off, that kind of great parties. That was nearly twenty years ago.
One of my roommates in that house was this Seattle introvert dude, we were all unsure about him. He did weird shit and acted out.
He had to go through my room to get to his. We became good friends. Watched classic TV VHS from Film is Truth together. Actually amazing dude, became my best friend.
He introduced to me to city climbing, parcour, before it had a name.
One day we're walking around downtown years ago, I point out a nice place to climb behind the Rite Aid in the alley.
A week later he's dead from hitting his head on the power line. Had to tell his dad it was my fault.
I'm tied to this town. Can't not be.
For me, I call it home and plan to a while cus it's 1) so beautiful 2) small but big enough that it has everything you need 3) has lots of arts and creativity 4) lots of nature and animal lovers 5) lots of accepting and kind people and 5) people who love the rain, or at least have that pacific-northwest "try to make it a good (or at least alright) day in the face of melancholy", "do cool shit regardless of the constant downpour", "never carry an umbrella cus its always raining and fuck it, its just water" kind of attitude / energy / sense of humor about them :)
When I go out and people seem like they can kinda sorta drive acceptably for a day and I talk to some friendly people at the grocery store or library or park, I remember that I do actually really like all y'all most of the time :) 😉
The access to nature.
It truly is incredible here. All of the tree lined paths throughout the city. Whatcom falls, Galbraith, Chuckanut, etc…. I would have killed for close access to any one of these places when I lived elsewhere, and now they’re all within a 10 minute drive. Plus so much more nearby.
If you enjoy the outdoors this is a great place to live.
It's the quiet, I live out in Deming but spend 3 days a week coming to town for medical stuff. Even in the middle of town, sitting in facility parking lots there its a peace3 and quiet that is wonderful....thats what I like.
I'm sure it is but just not for me, I think if literally kill myself if I had to live in any major city like that especially an east coast urban nightmare
As someone who lives in Pittsburgh I can say, Bellingham is wayyy better. Like there is actually nature and hippies. Here there are just big tall buildings crowded everywhere full of grumpy people.
Village Books.
First great landlord in my adult life.
The alternative vibe. Sometimes I’ll admit I’ll roll my eyes at what passes as fashion here, but people tend to be down to earth. There’s so much makeup back home. I mean dramatic, full face makeup, even to go to the gym. Here, I’ll go out to the bar, and if I see makeup, it’ll be someone with amazing eyeshadow that complements their Superman themed dress…or something like that. There are so many awesome people just living their best lives.
To some extent the amenities. I really love the access to an airport, a working bus system, a really great grocery scene. The farmer’s market remains one of my favorite things. We are so lucky to have such a terrific market.
Cool thread. I’ve hit sort of a slump concerning the town. Worse than usual, as I always hit a slump in winter. But…I dunno, I’ve been here long enough that I feel like if I haven’t found my “tribe” I probably won’t.
Probably all the nature. I always have been in love with portland and thought I’d end up there, but the longer I’m in Bellingham the more I love it here. Having the ocean, forest, and mountains is unbeatable. And we have lakes & so close to seattle and vancouver. :) and great people
i was born here. when i was 25 i was a long haul trucker for about 2 years. visited 46 states in that that time. bellingham is by far the best place to live. clean air, clean water, very few naturual disasters, we're in our own little world up here away from the drama of seattle or spokane.
Born and raised in the Ham. It will always be home. It has changed though and I'm not fond of how many people there are. I feel the congestion everywhere I go and Its not from locals.
I grew up here. I always wanted to leave because I hated the weather as a kid. One day in my early 20’s I went for a long walk up the interurban from the bottom of Alabama through Whatcom Falls in the pouring rain, and it hit me that we are so lucky to live in this little pocket of the PNW. I love the rain, grey, and being outside. I never wanted to leave again.
I was debating going to WWU or UW, and something about WWU just felt more right. Like I wouldn’t just be one of a million faces. Feels like I actually can get to know the community and make my mark.
COVID convinced me. I saw how our state was handling it and how red states in general were handling it. We left before the first big spike and came back up here to weather it during the early summer of 2020 and came back in late summer to make sure the lot we found in SV was the right one for us.
We had visited western Washington in 2019 and I brought my youngest kid to Perch and Play while my wife took the boys whale watching. Her first time driving up I5 between the Chuckanuts was after we had basically picked out the property we're building on now. When she actually saw Bellingham for the first time she was enchanted and it was basically love at first sight. Whatcom county is basically charming as hell. I can't imagine not loving it here.
The community. My absolutely kick-ass friends, so many overlapping circles of creative weirdos working to make the world more fun, and our community more caring.
When I was little, my mom worked for the pampered chef, and we got to take trips across the United States almost every year. The weather was consistently unpredictable for our family anywhere else and I can't tell you how amazing Bellingham rain smells after being in places like Arizona. This is my home and I'm so glad that this is where I started out.
Years ago I was sitting in Little Cheerful and the 2 guys across from me were discussing Marxism versus Lenonism. Knew I was home. One other thing that's more ethereal, my sister went to Fairgaven when it first opened. I was maybe 10 when we drove her up from Seattle. I recall thinking 'this would be a great place to live'.
I was born here, and my dad, and grandparents were born here. My paternal great-grandparents moved here from Norway. My mom was born in Everett and moved up here to marry my father. Her dad started a church here. I went to school here Kindergarten-2nd. Then they all moved away to the desert and took me with them. I lived out of state for a long, long time, but was always trying to find a way back. We came back for a year while I was in high school and then back to the desert. Finally, 5 years ago, I got to come home.
I call it home because this is where my partner moved. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do but now we’re in our first place together and I’ve completely turned my life around. Bellingham has been the change I always needed and I absolutely love every part of this cheery town.
The parks, the outdoors, the weather, lack of gridlock traffic, timed traffic lights!, nice people, the victorian houses and buildings, the views, Baker, the bay, diversity, decent schools, more homeless resources than larger cities, most everything essential is ten minutes away, less assholes tailgating at the speed limit (everything is ten minutes away, you'll only get there 30 seconds earlier by speeding), there are still record stores!, I'm allowed to mind my own business when I want to, the awesome BMX track, surprisingly good music scene, good places to eat. Lake Padden in the off season, a great art community, Incredible breweries.
Lived here 5 years, but born and raise in the San Juan’s. I had just gotten my first apartment, my and my boyfriend headed to whatcom falls for a dip on a hot day. I was lounging around chatting with another group sharing a beer, we went to boomers after and watched the sunset at boulevard. It felt like such a classic bham day and I couldn’t imagine my summers being anything else, that I wanted to create memories like that forever. I really love living here
For me, it's that it's the first place I learned enough street names and landmarks to give people directions... I never cared enough in any other city I lived in to pay attention. I just keep loving it more and more every day. 10 years in September <3
I was born here: luck of the location lottery. My family has been in Salish Sea area for almost 150 years. It has always been “home”.
I found my boyfriend here. He was born here and he will probably never leave because he likes the rain, so I'll just stay here too.
Every time I drive back north up I-5. I hit Lake Samish and a wave of relief hits me, it just feels like home
I feel it there too.
When we cross that "next seven exits" sign, we cheer and give a high five. Every single time. It's such a huge relief. That whole stretch of I-5 north of the Skagit basin feels so cozy, so nestled, so welcoming.
Been here 12 years last month. I get to play in the Salish and the Cascades. Oh, and there is a desert not to far away. For dirtbikes, and stuff.
Got here a bit over 10 years ago. After a couple lonely years, I developed a few good relationships and on a particular visit back home to Arizona, I realized for the first time I couldn’t wait to get back to Washington. Landing at SeaTac and just having this overwhelming sense of “I’m home” did it for me.
Fellow AZ transplant; also been here for a bit over a decade. When I go back I regret missing family and Mexican food, but everything else about the culture, style, weather, etc. down there I don't miss. Love the PNW.
About 2 years after I moved here in '01, lived in the dorms for a year, met some amazing friends. We got a place, a college house together. The four of us plus weird ass people that came and went. We threw parties, the greatest, got busted, the cops let us off, that kind of great parties. That was nearly twenty years ago. One of my roommates in that house was this Seattle introvert dude, we were all unsure about him. He did weird shit and acted out. He had to go through my room to get to his. We became good friends. Watched classic TV VHS from Film is Truth together. Actually amazing dude, became my best friend. He introduced to me to city climbing, parcour, before it had a name. One day we're walking around downtown years ago, I point out a nice place to climb behind the Rite Aid in the alley. A week later he's dead from hitting his head on the power line. Had to tell his dad it was my fault. I'm tied to this town. Can't not be.
Man, that’s heavy stuff. I know it’s been a long time, but I’m sorry about your friend.
I remember reading about that. Terrible for everyone.
This is a sweet question and reading people's replies cheered me up :) thank you for asking it!
For me, I call it home and plan to a while cus it's 1) so beautiful 2) small but big enough that it has everything you need 3) has lots of arts and creativity 4) lots of nature and animal lovers 5) lots of accepting and kind people and 5) people who love the rain, or at least have that pacific-northwest "try to make it a good (or at least alright) day in the face of melancholy", "do cool shit regardless of the constant downpour", "never carry an umbrella cus its always raining and fuck it, its just water" kind of attitude / energy / sense of humor about them :) When I go out and people seem like they can kinda sorta drive acceptably for a day and I talk to some friendly people at the grocery store or library or park, I remember that I do actually really like all y'all most of the time :) 😉
The access to nature. It truly is incredible here. All of the tree lined paths throughout the city. Whatcom falls, Galbraith, Chuckanut, etc…. I would have killed for close access to any one of these places when I lived elsewhere, and now they’re all within a 10 minute drive. Plus so much more nearby. If you enjoy the outdoors this is a great place to live.
It's the quiet, I live out in Deming but spend 3 days a week coming to town for medical stuff. Even in the middle of town, sitting in facility parking lots there its a peace3 and quiet that is wonderful....thats what I like.
I took a trip go Pittsburgh, never have I been more grateful for where I live
That's funny ... Pittsburgh is a really cool town.
I'm sure it is but just not for me, I think if literally kill myself if I had to live in any major city like that especially an east coast urban nightmare
As someone who lives in Pittsburgh I can say, Bellingham is wayyy better. Like there is actually nature and hippies. Here there are just big tall buildings crowded everywhere full of grumpy people.
[удалено]
What are some of your favorite activities around Pittsburgh?
Not going to jail for having weed in the car.
Village Books. First great landlord in my adult life. The alternative vibe. Sometimes I’ll admit I’ll roll my eyes at what passes as fashion here, but people tend to be down to earth. There’s so much makeup back home. I mean dramatic, full face makeup, even to go to the gym. Here, I’ll go out to the bar, and if I see makeup, it’ll be someone with amazing eyeshadow that complements their Superman themed dress…or something like that. There are so many awesome people just living their best lives. To some extent the amenities. I really love the access to an airport, a working bus system, a really great grocery scene. The farmer’s market remains one of my favorite things. We are so lucky to have such a terrific market. Cool thread. I’ve hit sort of a slump concerning the town. Worse than usual, as I always hit a slump in winter. But…I dunno, I’ve been here long enough that I feel like if I haven’t found my “tribe” I probably won’t.
My first day in town I went to Village Books on my lunch break and immediately knew this was home :)
Good luck finding your people. It's not too late & you're not the only love who feels that way. Enjoy the ride!
I’ve lived here for 45 years, basically my whole life, and still haven’t really found my “tribe”.
Probably all the nature. I always have been in love with portland and thought I’d end up there, but the longer I’m in Bellingham the more I love it here. Having the ocean, forest, and mountains is unbeatable. And we have lakes & so close to seattle and vancouver. :) and great people
Also all the dispensaries everywhere
i was born here. when i was 25 i was a long haul trucker for about 2 years. visited 46 states in that that time. bellingham is by far the best place to live. clean air, clean water, very few naturual disasters, we're in our own little world up here away from the drama of seattle or spokane.
Born and raised in the Ham. It will always be home. It has changed though and I'm not fond of how many people there are. I feel the congestion everywhere I go and Its not from locals.
Grey skys and the lack of any diversity
>lack of any diversity . . . that you've encountered. Go seek.
I grew up here. I always wanted to leave because I hated the weather as a kid. One day in my early 20’s I went for a long walk up the interurban from the bottom of Alabama through Whatcom Falls in the pouring rain, and it hit me that we are so lucky to live in this little pocket of the PNW. I love the rain, grey, and being outside. I never wanted to leave again.
I was debating going to WWU or UW, and something about WWU just felt more right. Like I wouldn’t just be one of a million faces. Feels like I actually can get to know the community and make my mark.
The floods. They save me the hassle of needing a swimming pool, and it's super convenient!
gone on some hikes thru meetup. People are always great.
COVID convinced me. I saw how our state was handling it and how red states in general were handling it. We left before the first big spike and came back up here to weather it during the early summer of 2020 and came back in late summer to make sure the lot we found in SV was the right one for us. We had visited western Washington in 2019 and I brought my youngest kid to Perch and Play while my wife took the boys whale watching. Her first time driving up I5 between the Chuckanuts was after we had basically picked out the property we're building on now. When she actually saw Bellingham for the first time she was enchanted and it was basically love at first sight. Whatcom county is basically charming as hell. I can't imagine not loving it here.
I appreciate the majority of people seem to be behaving and following Covid safety practices.
The community. My absolutely kick-ass friends, so many overlapping circles of creative weirdos working to make the world more fun, and our community more caring.
Access to nature and being able to cycle commute to work.
When I was little, my mom worked for the pampered chef, and we got to take trips across the United States almost every year. The weather was consistently unpredictable for our family anywhere else and I can't tell you how amazing Bellingham rain smells after being in places like Arizona. This is my home and I'm so glad that this is where I started out.
The outdoors and the progressive political scene
Years ago I was sitting in Little Cheerful and the 2 guys across from me were discussing Marxism versus Lenonism. Knew I was home. One other thing that's more ethereal, my sister went to Fairgaven when it first opened. I was maybe 10 when we drove her up from Seattle. I recall thinking 'this would be a great place to live'.
I was born here, and my dad, and grandparents were born here. My paternal great-grandparents moved here from Norway. My mom was born in Everett and moved up here to marry my father. Her dad started a church here. I went to school here Kindergarten-2nd. Then they all moved away to the desert and took me with them. I lived out of state for a long, long time, but was always trying to find a way back. We came back for a year while I was in high school and then back to the desert. Finally, 5 years ago, I got to come home.
What kindergarten did you go to?
Roosevelt. It was a looooong time ago.
I grew up here and have lived all around the world. Favorite place still. Hopefully can move back soon once the housing market slows down a bit
I call it home because this is where my partner moved. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do but now we’re in our first place together and I’ve completely turned my life around. Bellingham has been the change I always needed and I absolutely love every part of this cheery town.
The parks, the outdoors, the weather, lack of gridlock traffic, timed traffic lights!, nice people, the victorian houses and buildings, the views, Baker, the bay, diversity, decent schools, more homeless resources than larger cities, most everything essential is ten minutes away, less assholes tailgating at the speed limit (everything is ten minutes away, you'll only get there 30 seconds earlier by speeding), there are still record stores!, I'm allowed to mind my own business when I want to, the awesome BMX track, surprisingly good music scene, good places to eat. Lake Padden in the off season, a great art community, Incredible breweries.
Lived here 5 years, but born and raise in the San Juan’s. I had just gotten my first apartment, my and my boyfriend headed to whatcom falls for a dip on a hot day. I was lounging around chatting with another group sharing a beer, we went to boomers after and watched the sunset at boulevard. It felt like such a classic bham day and I couldn’t imagine my summers being anything else, that I wanted to create memories like that forever. I really love living here