Urban San Franciscan girl going to Bellingham, WA (Seattle: rental, houses)

[Foggybeach]

Hi there...

I'm from San Francisco, in my late 30's and am probably going to relocate from San Francisco to Bellingham, WA. I have a job offer there. I've lived in New York, Chicago, and several international destinations. I'm used to going to the gym late if I have to, or going to the grocery store at 11 pm because I work late. I like having things open late if I need them, because I can't always get things done during the day.

I've never been to Bellingham, and really have only been to Washington state a couple times. It's beautiful!!

I'm wondering how life would be for an Urban single woman to live there. I need to research the demographics of the city, but is it pretty remote? Similiar to Seattle? 24 hour stores? I know I'll miss the Urban life, but change can be good. As with most new cities, making new friends, dating, finding a place to live can make a person nervous.

Any input or advice would be greatly appreciated. I like to default to locals to get the best information.

[Ira500]

There are a couple of gyms open all night in Bellingham, 24 Hour Fitness and Anytime fitness, and at least one all night diner, the Horseshoe cafe, one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the US. The atmosphere is old diner cool, the food nothing to write home about. I'm sure there are other late night places I don't know about.

[CoastieTX]

We have a Gold's Gym and local grocer, Haggen's, that are open 24 hours so making late night runs to either is no problem. The great thing about Bellingham is there is an abundance of what are called inner-urban trails that wind through the city which are perfect for running on. There are also several running clubs you can join that meet weekly. I don't even go to a gym anymore; while some may disagree with me, I find the climate here almost a luxury for running - it sure beats heat and humidity.

I wouldn't call Bellingham remote or "hickish." The best way to describe it is to say it's like a mini-Seattle. While it can't compare with San Francisco's nightlife, there are a lot of restaurants and clubs here, and it is a university town. It offers enough that all the university grads want to stay rather than leave, which says a lot.

By far, the biggest problem we have here is housing. It is a very sore subject with me, indeed. You'll be able to find decent, smaller rental houses for around $1250 a month and up, and there are a lot to choose from. This is a renter's city. Buying is an entirely different matter. We're still included in the nation's top ten of overpriced housing markets so if you're looking for bargains, this isn't the place.

I'd say if you've already secured a good job here, you've already won half the battle. This is a great place to live if your income can keep up with the cost of living.

[nwrain]

I'm in my 30's, but I'm a sahm.... my idea a fun night is getting to sleep through it. Besides the college crowd, I would NOT describe b'ham as having a fun night life for the mature crowd. Sure, we have a few gyms open at night, but some of the 24 hr stores are closing at night because of the economy.