Bellingham Freeze (Seattle, Vancouver, Lynden: homes, luxury, income)

[kynight]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

It's a 6-year-old thread. The OP is long gone.

I was hoping to bump up more on this topic. Do you think the Bellingham Freeze is real? I read somewhere its the cloudiest city in the lower 48.

[Ruth4Truth]

The OP's description makes it sound horrific! And yes, I'd heard it's the cloudiest and rainiest, but some residents disagree. I think the OP's main problem was that he didn't give it a good try. He was only there 2 months, spent most of his spare time in bars, and judges the city by that experience, which is a weird thing to judge a city by, IMO. The kind of people h'ed like to meet probably don't go to bars, or not much. I know a lot of women in the NW who don't step inside bars.

He didn't ask the forum, how people go about meeting new people. If he had, he'd have learned how, and his experience might have turned around 180 degrees. There's an active bookstore scene, I learned from this forum. And hiking clubs are always good, in the NW, and typically have singles hikes. There's a strong boating culture, so the local kayaking club could be helpful for making friends, or taking sailing lessons. The NW isn't known for people who chat up strangers in public, in stores, etc., which is what he was expecting. Being from CA, I've found that disappointing and frustrating, too. The NW has its own m.o. for making friends, and it's important to learn what that is.

[Swampoid13]

You'll get a smile, nod and a hello, but not much else from us.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Swampoid13

You'll get a smile, nod and a hello, but not much else from us.

That's a lot more than people get in Seattle.

[PartIrish]

This is all quite different from the experiences my family and friends have had--we have a standing joke about how friendly people are in B'ham. Maybe this is an age thing, or maybe it is where you spend your time. We have had very good chats with people out on the urban trails, and at local events based specific interests, such as environmental events. Common interests help break the ice in any environment.

[kynight]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

The OP's description makes it sound horrific! And yes, I'd heard it's the cloudiest and rainiest, but some residents disagree. I think the OP's main problem was that he didn't give it a good try. He was only there 2 months, spent most of his spare time in bars, and judges the city by that experience, which is a weird thing to judge a city by, IMO. The kind of people h'ed like to meet probably don't go to bars, or not much. I know a lot of women in the NW who don't step inside bars.

He didn't ask the forum, how people go about meeting new people. If he had, he'd have learned how, and his experience might have turned around 180 degrees. There's an active bookstore scene, I learned from this forum. And hiking clubs are always good, in the NW, and typically have singles hikes. There's a strong boating culture, so the local kayaking club could be helpful for making friends, or taking sailing lessons. The NW isn't known for people who chat up strangers in public, in stores, etc., which is what he was expecting. Being from CA, I've found that disappointing and frustrating, too. The NW has its own m.o. for making friends, and it's important to learn what that is.

It's better not to move with many expectations. Bars are depressing, basically a sanctuary for those stressed out from work or home life. It's not an entertaining place unless it's a sports bar.

I go to bookstores or library more than once every week, so that's nice to know. There's always a hiking club where u have famous mountains. I don't usually chat up strangers either unless we're seen sharing a hobby.

[kynight]

Originally Posted by Swampoid13

You'll get a smile, nod and a hello, but not much else from us.

I think that's almost everywhere. Occasionally someone will talk your ear off, at least on the east coast.

[blktoptrvl]

Go down to Bow and hang at the Skagit, or up at the Silver Reef, they have a good dinner and you can meet plenty of folks there.

[Jiff]

"Bars are depressing?" I always have a good time at bars, but I only go if they're hosting live music or for a game on TV. If I want drinks I can do that at home. What looks depressing is people in one on a beautiful day. I go to casinos for dancing and live music. Just as depressing looking is seeing multitudes of people smoking and staring at slot machines in casinos. I hardly ever see someone smile doing that. Do they ever win?

Bellingham freeze. Haven't been there much since a couple quarters at Western in 1977. My mom grew up on a farm outside Bellingham. Used to go to a coffee shop on Railroad with my grandpa as a little kid and listen to him shoot the bull with his buddies at the counter. They didn't freeze me. Okay, not much help.

[Returning2USA]

Originally Posted by EastMeetsWest7

I've been living here for a couple months and have found it a tough place to meet people. I am in early-mid 30s and it seems people here are either younger (college-aged) or older and married. One thing I am noticing is people here are quite reserved and more often than not will turn their face rather than say hello to you when walking down the street. I have not experienced this in any of other places I have lived. It seems the most friendly people I meet here are transplants from other places.

Anyway, I was just wondering if anyone had good suggests of how a single 30-something non-college student male could go about meeting people in this very reserved town. I've been feeling a little bit depressed about the situation. I am sick of hanging out at bars and it seems that alcoholism and drug abuse are major problems here. Especially, alcoholism. I've never seen a place where people drink so much and so quickly. I do notice that the shy-personalities many people have when they are sober do open up a bit when they are saturated with booze. However, I would much rather make friends in a sober, clean environment. I have neither the money or desire to do lot of drinking, but that seems to be the only option here.

I've attempted to look into activities, groups and such, but there does't seem to be much going around here except loud music and drinking events. Meetup for Bellingham seems to only have groups centered for women and gay people.

Anyway, I am thinking of packing my bags and leaving this town. I subletted a temporary rental for the Summer. This town really is beautiful and the surrounding area, which is the one big thing I will miss about it and that makes me want to stay. However, I really don't find the people that friendly. There are some nice people I meet around town, but considering the reserved nature of the people and lack of events it is really tough to meet people. I am not rowdy, drunk and boisterous enough to survive in the bar scene here, which I don't like.

Also, I am not a Christian, so church activities won't help me.

I have heard the term "Seattle Freeze", well I feel like I am experiencing something similar, that I am coining as the "Bellingham Freeze". At least in Seattle there is social groups, activities and other types of things you can do to meet people. Not to mention all the transplants in the area who are new and looking for others in the same situation.

I am also growing very tired of the college element here. The loud, rowdy and rude college students are annoying. Also, so many of them are unfriendly and act like they are uber-cool and special. I just hate the arrogant attitude, although I remember back in my college days I may have had a little bit of this myself. I'd rather not have to go back in time and be around that element again.

I know I will encounter some very "passive aggressive" responses by locals for sharing my opinion about the place. The passive aggressiveness here is also very alarming. I've never been to a place where people get so offended for little things and give you these looks of death, like they want to tell you to drop dead, but do so in other ways like slamming your change on the table. One bartender rudely slammed my money at the table because I was complaining about the Wifi not working and said in a polite way I would have to find a place that had decent Wifi. He got mad at me and then acted real anal trying to pay me back. It is hard to explain, but I really feel I have encountered this "passive aggressiveness" that many talk about being so prevalent here.

Oh well, this town is really beautiful and if I didn't feel empty I would stay. Who knows, maybe I can just get use to the solitary living. I'm thinking Seattle though would have a better environment to meet more down-to-earth people. It seems the local element here doesn't have a lot of love for outsiders. The town is quite cliquey. The locals and college kids seem to hang among their own.

I lived in B'Ham 21-25 years ago.

It's was a bit clickey if you're not a student.

People are chill but reserved in ways you mention, IMO.