Bellingham waterfront development condos (Seattle, Everett: cul-de-sac, for sale, new home)

[rkcarguy]

Our "income tax free" situation is made up for by high sales taxes and property taxes, and Inslee and his cronies in Olympia are forever trying to ram through new and increased taxes. There is, and won't be, any free lunch here in that regard. There is a "total tax load" calculator by state, where you can enter your information and see how things end up. In several income tax states, my total tax load would be almost halved, leaving me much more disposable income even if I had to take a large pay cut to move there.

Regarding Bellingham's downtown, as it sits now it's more or less a dump. There is more crime per square mile in Bellingham's downtown core than in Everett and this is based on 2018 information before it got really bad. Just look at Bellingham's information page right here on City Data.

https://www.city-data.com/city/Bellin...ashington.html

The redevelopment of the waterfront would be wonderful and I'm really hoping it goes, but the last time it was put forth they dilly dallied so long that by the time things were approved and the GP site was razed, the great recession hit and everything sat there for almost a decade before things started moving again.

[rkcarguy]

Some concerning excerpts from the Bellingham C-D page. Keep in mind these are nationwide ratings so being up there in the top 100 for anything bad...is bad.

#1 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the lowest maximum monthly sunshine amount (population 50,000+)"
#1 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the lowest minimum monthly sunshine amount (population 50,000+)"
#1 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the lowest average sunshine amount (population 50,000+)"
#1 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the highest average humidity (population 50,000+)"
#62 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the highest number of thefts per 100,000 residents
#42 on the list of "Top 101 cities with the highest maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity (population 50,000+)" #43 on the list of "Top 100 cities with highest percentage of college students (pop. 50,000+)"
#58 on the list of "Top 100 cities with highest ratio of median house value to median household income (pop. 50,000+)"

Read more: https://www.city-data.com/city/Bellin...ashington.html

[jerzdevil]

Cornwall st has become the permanent skid row of bellingham with tents and rvs jacked up permanently occupying the sidewalks. I walked by a couple stripped cars with an engine sitting in a wheelbarrow on the pavement and a guy basically selling parts and drugs. When I moved to the area in late 2018 it was a nice industrial st. Now it's the location of choice for homeless because of the newly located base camp and waterfront where they can bathe and wave to the new condo owners overlooking them. Since the city has enforced no camping in parks, many have settled in town and random field areas that aren't technically in a park.

[xPlorer48]

As far as health care in Whatcom County, many Canadians use our health care system as they have longer waits for appointments and care in Canada. This strains our hospitals and health care providers and locals have difficulty obtaining help. Of course, with the border closure, this has not been a problem.

At our business, we have a number of medical personnel using our services. One told me in March of 2020 that the virus was going to be a very very bad one. They are caring and top notch. Many of them moved here for the recreational opportunities so this attracts some excellent people. For very specialized care, you need to seek medical help in Seattle which has world class providers.

[xPlorer48]

Bellingham wants to redevelop Old Town (off Holly Street) but now the Lighthouse Mission wants to substantially enlarge its building and services to the homeless.

https://kgmi.com/news/007700-9/

This location is at F Street and Holly Street in Old Town. I would not want such a facility in my neighborhood but then, I had to live next door to a “homeless” individual who made violent threats and was continually harassing us.

[kavm]

Thank you very much xPlorer48! Our decision has been pushed out for now as the units they are trying to sell right now are not what we are looking for. Also, the prices are at the higher end of what we want to pay. Even though that’s a self-imposed target - relaxing it brings other options into play as all. It can still work out - and the agent will be in touch as the project moves forward.

Our reservations are mainly in two areas:
- Health care quality. Your information was reassuring but it remains a question mark and a point of hesitation.
- Weather. Both of us know what we are taking on, but neither has experienced it. That might not preclude moving there but perhaps with a rental / long term tryout first.

We remain interest in both the area and the development.

[rkcarguy]

Originally Posted by xPlorer48

Bellingham wants to redevelop Old Town (off Holly Street) but now the Lighthouse Mission wants to substantially enlarge its building and services to the homeless.

https://kgmi.com/news/007700-9/

This location is at F Street and Holly Street in Old Town. I would not want such a facility in my neighborhood but then, I had to live next door to a “homeless” individual who made violent threats and was continually harassing us.

I commented on this and took a lot of heat for it, suggesting that the mission get moved out next to the dump on Slater Rd. The waterfront has tons of redevelopment potential for more housing, little shops, and restaurants, but unfortunately it seems more important that we don't displace the homeless who are ruining it.
Furthermore, I see the expanded/new building being chock full of Gov't pork from unneeded architectural features to 6-figure staff, instead of focusing on stretching the homeless budget as far as possible like what has been done with the "homes now" tiny house camp by the ball field.....or possibly go a different route and erect a large pole building....out by the dump.

[jerzdevil]

The tiny homes are a joke I would argue. A bandaid on causes with no remedy in sight, only more and more assault from government causes. But I noticed some development behind that big mural, they dug a square hole and are grading it for some large building between the mural/park and docking/canal.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

Originally Posted by rkcarguy

I commented on this and took a lot of heat for it, suggesting that the mission get moved out next to the dump on Slater Rd. The waterfront has tons of redevelopment potential for more housing, little shops, and restaurants, but unfortunately it seems more important that we don't displace the homeless who are ruining it.

The homeless people might want to use businesses now, who knows if that area will ever get redeveloped (and it'll be a lot less likely if there's a homeless shelter there). Are there even bus routes way up there?

[xPlorer48]

Originally Posted by jerzdevil

The tiny homes are a joke I would argue. A bandaid on causes with no remedy in sight, only more and more assault from government causes. But I noticed some development behind that big mural, they dug a square hole and are grading it for some large building between the mural/park and docking/canal.

The Homes Now model (tiny homes) is helping people without the 6 figure salaries like what the city council wants to bring in. We are becoming more and more like the cesspool that is Seattle.

The Lighthouse Mission has been there as far back as I can remember which goes back to the 1960s. I liked Old Town when there were these small antique shops and other small businesses. I guess it will gentrify like Fairhaven. I liked the seedy atmosphere.