Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
One resident said Camber is the best coffee shop in the city and that Lettered Streets is excellent in both vibe and coffee.
“Camber is the best in the city. Lettered Streets is excellent both in vibe and coffee.”
Local hikes named by one poster include Chanterelle Trail, Oyster Dome, Fragrance Lake, and Lily and Lizard Lakes.
The Great Northern Bottleshop and Lounge was recommended as a chill, dog friendly spot with outside food welcome.
From 5 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident is excited about an independent music festival of regional bands within walking distance
“An independent music festival of regional bands located walking distance from my door on a summer weekend for which I have no plans?!”
Read the full commentOne resident says the main venues in town are Mt. Baker Theater for big names and The Blue Room for small local shows
“It seems there are only a few venues in town: Mt. Baker Theater hosts the big names, The Blue Room is making an effort to host small local shows...”
Read the full commentOne resident recommends the Meetup app for finding social groups like board game clubs.
“Try the meetup app. Basically open invites to social groups with various events. I'm down south and it's great for things like board game groups...”
Read the full commentOne resident says volunteering and events like Planned Parenthood happy hours are great ways to meet people.
“Volunteer events with groups of people are a great way to meet people. Orgs like Planned Parenthood also do monthly happy hour events to gather...”
Read the full commentOne resident notes that in decades of living in Bellingham, they have never seen a relationship form between a Seattleite and a local.
“I date. I have friends, and co-workers that date. In the few decades I've lived in B'ham, I've never seen a relationship between a Seattleite and a Hamster...”
Read the full commentOne resident describes a frustrating cycle of being ghosted on dating apps and in person.
“I always match with people on dating apps, get ghosted or I meet someone irl get their social media or number get ghosted it's like atp am I the problem...”
Read the full commentThe Great Northern Bottleshop and Lounge was recommended as a chill, dog friendly spot with outside food welcome.
“Chill Vibes : The Great Northern Bottleshop and Lounge (Great Selection of Beer, Wine, and Cider. Outside food welcome. Dog friendly. No kids).”
Read the full commentOne resident wished they had known the local job market is weak with few good paying jobs available.
“Q: Is there anything you wish you had known before moving? A: The job market sucks, and any hope of a good paying job locally is extremely slim.”
Read the full commentOne resident was surprised at how hard it was to find rental cars, flights, good restaurants, healthcare, dentists and salons after moving.
“When I first moved up here I was shocked at how hard it was to find rental cars, flights, good restaurants, good healthcare and dentists, salons...”
Read the full commentOne resident suggested that nearby Ferndale might offer a similar experience for less money since Bellingham is expensive.
“Bellingham is very expensive to live in but Ferndale or another close town might provide you with a similar experience at a cheaper price.”
Read the full commentOne resident noted that every neighborhood has a park but whether they are good parks is subjective.
“Bellingham is “small” area and the entire town is near trails. Good parks? That is subjective - there is a park in each neighborhood but not all...”
Read the full commentOne resident said the town is highly walkable and bikeable with lots of live music and community events.
“Highly walkable and bikeable. Lots of live music opportunities all over town. all sorts of community events...”
Read the full commentOne job seeker said they applied to at least 50 jobs and were rejected despite strong qualifications.
“i’ve applied to at least 50 jobs, of all ranks. i’ve put in an application the same day a job posting was put out and was rejected, despite being more...”
Read the full commentOne resident explained that Washington's paid family and medical leave job protection only applies to employers with 25 or more employees currently.
“WA PFML only requires the employer to protect an employee's job if they employ 25 or more employees (this drops to 15 in 2027 and 8 in 2028, it...”
Read the full commentPick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
No resident has talked about October yet.
Local hikes named by one poster include Chanterelle Trail, Oyster Dome, Fragrance Lake, and Lily and Lizard Lakes.
“Chanterelle Trail · Oyster Dome · Fragrance Lake · Lily and Lizard Lakes · Raptor Ridge · Nooksack Gold Mine on Sumas Mountain · North Lake Whatcom.”
Read the full commentOne resident said Camber is the best coffee shop in the city and that Lettered Streets is excellent in both vibe and coffee.
“Camber is the best in the city. Lettered Streets is excellent both in vibe and coffee. Next chapter Cafe. Sweet Things bakery and Brys Filipino...”
Read the full commentOne resident said Cafe Adagio is their favorite and that Ashuri baklava cafe has really good coffee.
“Cafe Adagio is my favorite place for. Hammerhead is amazing. Great coffee, employees and food. Ashuri baklava cafe has really good coffee, Best...”
Read the full commentThe Great Northern Bottleshop and Lounge was recommended as a chill, dog friendly spot with outside food welcome.
“Chill Vibes : The Great Northern Bottleshop and Lounge (Great Selection of Beer, Wine, and Cider. Outside food welcome. Dog friendly. No kids).”
Read the full comment“it still has its fair share of homelessness and drug issues”
Within 5 miles of the center of the Bellingham area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Of about 32,864 rented homes in the Bellingham area, 81% rent for under $2,000 a month and 95% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
6 public school districts in this county, with about 23,766 students in all. Which one serves a home depends on its address.
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.