Bellingham or Tacoma? (Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver: best suburbs, homes, good schools)

[CT_trackstar]

I have some job opportunities in WA: either Tacoma or Bellingham. I'll be making low 6 figures, steady job. I don't know much about either city, so I'm trying to research. But first and foremost I need a suburb which has great schools and a good family friendly community. Can anybody point me in the right direction?

[Bill Loney]

There are some nice communities around Tacoma that fit the bill. Gig Harbor for example, is really beautiful and a really nice small town.

Bellingham is a college town in a spectacular setting. I happen to live in Bellingham having moved from Seattle because of the superior schools.

I have two teenage daughters in the schools here. The schools in the south end of Bellingham are very good.

The access to recreation here is pretty tough to beat as well. And the pace for a family is a very healthy one. Traffic is not a problem here. 80 miles from Seattle, 40 or so from Vancouver. An hour to Mt. Baker Skiing, 40 minutes to the North Cascades National Park. 35 minutes from the Anacortes Ferry (To the San Juan Islands) or even closer if you have your own boat.

[CT_trackstar]

I forgot to add Spokane to that list. (I can't edit my OP for some reason).

[Blindtom]

Originally Posted by CT_trackstar

I forgot to add Spokane to that list. (I can't edit my OP for some reason).

I would first narrow the list to Bellingham/Tacoma or Spokane.

[CT_trackstar]

Originally Posted by Blindtom

I would first narrow the list to Bellingham/Tacoma or Spokane.

I'm not sure what you mean...is it because the 2 areas are so vastly different?

[Ira500]

If the salary were the same in all three cities, your money would go the furthest in Spokane.
But as far as quality of life, both Bellingham and some of the Tacoma area are great. Everybody's needs/desires are different. Gig harbor is awfully nice, but so is the Proctor District within Tacoma itself. Doesn't feel like the big city, feels like a friendly small town, has a farmer's market and nice restaurants.
Another nice Tacoma suburb with good schools is University Place.

[Blindtom]

Originally Posted by CT_trackstar

I'm not sure what you mean...is it because the 2 areas are so vastly different?

Yes. Which side of the mountains do you want to live on. Do you want rain and more moderate temps, or do you want drier and more variations in temperature?

[CT_trackstar]

Originally Posted by Blindtom

Yes. Which side of the mountains do you want to live on. Do you want rain and more moderate temps, or do you want drier and more variations in temperature?

Ah. Well, I honestly don't really care. Just want a good community with good schools first and foremost.

[CT_trackstar]

In doing further research, I'm strongly leaning towards Bellingham. Can anyone identify the best suburbs in terms of school quality and community, so that I can continue researching?

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by CT_trackstar

Ah. Well, I honestly don't really care. Just want a good community with good schools first and foremost.

With an income bracket of the million plus annually that you stated in your OP, I was going to suggest Bainbridge Island. Many exquisite waterfront homes there with fantastic vistas, excellent schools, many neighbors with similar incomes, etc. This location would also provide easy access to Seattle with all of its cultural ammenities: first rate symphony orchestra, high end dining, sporting events etc. The downside is it would involve commuting to Tacoma (although you didn't say where in the Tacoma area your job was). I suppose you could a driver and let him worry about the traffic!

Bellingham? Sorry, I'm not a well versed in that area. I'm sure someone else will jump in on this.