Living in Bellingham WA | The Pros and Cons 2024

[@kylesmith475]

Nailed it. My first year here I got spooked by some of these cons, but the pros are so nice that I’m not sure I’ll ever leave.

[@blake.youtsey]

Im glad you are loving it Kyle! Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@robertmunroe3976]

This video is one of the best pro/con types I’ve seen for B’ham. I’ve been here for 8 yrs, from SoCal. The thing about the weather is not really the cold or the rain; it’s the feeling of claustrophobia. The gray sky clouds hang low and it’s rare to see the sweeping horizons that I grew up with. He’s right, most folks skip town for a week in Jan or Feb. He’s also right about the lack of diversity; in fact I believe we’re closer to 85% white. Proximity to Vancouver BC & Seattle do help, especially to experience more diversity. Our locals are friendly, in my experience. Decent place to live as long as expectations are managed.

[@blake.youtsey]

Thank you so much Robert I really appreciate that! That is some great insight as well!

[@Roy__3A]

Thinking of moving here for college! A little nervous about the weather situation but I love the area so much I think it'll be worth it. Seems so beautiful and cozy :)

[@Banzo_]

People aren't as friendly as Bellingham likes to put on. Snobby people who pretend to be open.

[@blake.youtsey]

Its an awesome spot to move for college, many people end up staying here after they like it so much. You definitely get used to the weather after awhile and just have to make sure and have some fun indoor activities to do when the weather is nasty out. As far as snobby people pretending to be open as said below that is actually somewhat accurate however I don't see that being an issue when you go to WWU, that is more something occurring in the post college and older community. Hope that helps and good luck on your move!

[@Banzo_]

@@blake.youtsey Yeah, I would agree that older people are the ones that tend to be more off-putting and judgemental. WWU students are a mix of snobby and good company. They do act entitled and superior though. None of them will "hangout" with you if you don't go to WWU as well.

[@JoshCrownWhatcomCountyHomes]

You’re spot on about the traffic. Super accurate vid !

[@blake.youtsey]

Thank you 🙏 🙏

[@Nusiam]

Great vid with pros and cons. Super excited ... Moving there in a few days from Las Vegas (Totally different vibe lol)

[@blake.youtsey]

Let me know if I can help you in you move in any way!

[@AltitudeActive]

Can you talk more about the rainy/sunless season? I love to trial run and do outdoor activities and can’t find a good response on what that looks like during those months and what those months are

[@blake.youtsey]

Absolutely, both my parents were Triathletes and both have trained and completed Ironman so I’ve seen what that looks like through those months. The short answer is that even though it may be gloomy, rainy, or dark. People still go out and train. My parents would put on the rain gear (ie jacket, those neoprene shoe bootys) and still go out. They trained in the morning before work so a headlamp and reflective gear is a must as well. The nice part is, there is only a couple of months where it is getting below freezing and those months aren’t quite as wet. Also I don’t know where about you live currently but rain is a little different here than other places I’ve lived because there isn’t often a downpour, it’s more drizzly throughout the day when it does rain. Overall, it’s really not as bad as people make it out to be, we do get sunny days periodically throughout the winter months that keep you going until the beautiful summers. A lot of the negative talk about it comes from people who love it here and are out in the rain in the woods having a blast and “don’t want more people to move here”. 😂 December- mid February are definitely hard because if you work a 9-5 it will be dark before you go to work and dark when you get home. But that’s when the headlamps come into play. The benefit to that is our summer days are extra long which is when you want to be outside the most.

[@Jason-hg1pc]

Looks like you might need a fireplace poker, brush and pan, AKA the house set.

[@dt58kc]

It's so funny that you list gray and dark as a con. Some individuals such as myself prefer that. Everyone is different and maybe thats just extremely rare in person.

[@blake.youtsey]

That’s a very great point, I was just talking to someone recently who was saying that exact same thing. I appreciate you pointing that out!

[@dt58kc]

@@blake.youtsey hey, thanks for the stream buddy! Keep up the great work!

[@artpatron719]

Good review. thx

[@blake.youtsey]

Thanks for watching!

[@Lokisqueen22]

There's more diversity here in Bellingham, than there is in Wenatchee, where i grew up. I relocated to Bellingham 2 years ago, and I love it here!

[@blake.youtsey]

100%, so glad you are enjoying it here!

[@CornerCamper]

Very well made video. What do you think of Blaine?

[@blake.youtsey]

Blaine is really nice, my Dad lives in Birch Bay and absolutely loves it. You get a lot more bang for your buck in the housing department as well!

[@CornerCamper]

@@blake.youtsey, that’s great to hear. It’s a long term goal of mine to move up that way (born and raised in Florida). Thanks for putting this video together and replying.

[@Banzo_]

​@@CornerCamperIf you're in your 20s and not attending Western, I wouldn't move to bham or Blaine. Especially Blaine. Blaine sucks. I could see Blaine being alright if you're in your retired years, but not in your 20s. Other than that, anywhere in the PNW has undeniable beauty though.

[@CornerCamper]

@@Banzo_, thanks! I’m in my late 30s and I’m not planning on moving for at least 10 years so it may be perfect.

[@thatdirtbikekid1017]

Blake I loved this video. Tesla superchargers

[@blake.youtsey]

Thank you so much!

[@akauknowbetta]

My biggest con of bellingham is BO(personal hygiene). Everyone smells

[@blake.youtsey]

Hahaha well the all natural deodorant is 17 dollars right now so that checks out 😂

[@Dietghostscp2107]

Ayo lmao wasnt expecting that.

[@hunterhopson8534]

Would you have any additional opinions on moving here as a remote worker?

[@blake.youtsey]

Absolutely, what are you most curious about?

[@MartinRamirez-oi8rq]

Good info.

[@blake.youtsey]

Glad it was helpful!

[@julianwicker]

A lot was left out but plenty of good points. The only thing i dint really like here is the cost of rent as a late 20s person. And theres a pretty hoght crime rate. My house has been robbed and its just hard to deal with that.bita good to know where its safe to live in Bellingham

[@blake.youtsey]

Appreciate it! I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had that happen, I’m curious where in Bellingham that happened to you. Hard to fit it all in one video let me know what I should cover next!

[@blake.youtsey]

And yeah rent here is insane for the job market no doubt about that

[@SpenceCurry]

Less street homeless than other cities in wa. More people living in their cars with jobs. Too bad most bike trails are off trail and hilly. used to the endless blacktopped trails in the prosser wa. area. Better weather and scenry

[@blake.youtsey]

All preference, glad you found somewhere you like!

[@kurtdunbar912]

The traffic is bad. But is now MUCH worse thanks to some really stupid "planning." The most glaring example of this is the mutilation of Holly Street for bike lanes. BIKE LANES!!! *&%$#! Honestly, tell me fellow Hamsters how often do you see a bike on Holly...or Chestnut for that matter (also mutilated)? Almost never. As a consequence, downtown is now a nightmare tangle of traffic and interminable traffic lights. I avoid going downtown much more than I used to and so do most locals I talk to about this. The City blew it on this one...big time!

[@funkymonk8240]

You could cycle there? I come from Europe and the increase in biking infrastructure over the decades grew the amount of people who bike.

[@Banzo_]

I cycle AND drive down holly all the time. There are multiple ways to get into and through downtown than just Holly - Even though it's really not bad and you're being a drama queen about it, in my opinion. Anyway, i'm more concerned about people being safe from being injured and not about if I get to an outing with friends at some clicky brewery a few minutes late. Hop on a bike and ride through downtown/around Bham sometime. Gain some perspective on what cyclists have to deal with and you'll be a little more understanding.

[@bonificent76]

Haha, I wish my rent was that cheap!

[@blake.youtsey]

Where are you living?

[@bonificent76]

@@blake.youtsey Hawaii

[@Jennifer-i3b9q]

I mean wear more layers next to a fire

[@blake.youtsey]

😂 Not enough you don’t think?

[@zenpool1]

Hour and a half to Vancouver ?! What , are you walking ? ;-) Maybe if you're stuck at the Peace Arch... I'd have to list as cons , the homeless population being large for a city this size , the rapid population growth (It's not only the highways that suffer ) the cost of housing (I know people paying over $1000/mo. for a studio apt.) , and not being a great place for anyone with allergies to tree pollen , grass... I agree with the traffic . If you've been here more than a decade, you think this place has exploded . Of course , with every 5000 jump in population , which has happened in a single year , those people come in from SoCal and think the traffic's great in comparison .

[@blake.youtsey]

😂 That’s what google maps said, definitely depends on the border for sure. All very great points, I definitely agree!

[@KairiHearts]

The PNW is the best, that's why I've never left. As someone who is half White and half Hispanic I disagree with the diversity con. WA is pretty diverse compared to the rest of the PNW, moreso in Seattle than Bellingham for sure though.

[@blake.youtsey]

I appreciate the insight! It’s definitely gotten a lot better over the years!

[@Banzo_]

Wait, do black people live in Bellingham?

[@brisky__]

This is probably a stupid question, but is it pointless to move up there from Texas who averages $20 an hour? Lived here all my life. Sick of the heat, sick of the politics, and sick of the ugly scenery lol.

[@blake.youtsey]

I don’t think it’s stupid at all. Why not at least try it? I moved to across the country to FL and ended up moving all the way back, so if it doesn’t end up working out at least you don’t have a 54 drive back home 😂

[@tranger4579]

Tell me about it. I live in south Texas. Sick of the heat.

[@islandbee]

I had a tenant from San Antonio who rented at my house in Seattle. He loved the days that rained. It was like paradise to him. Coming from Texas.

[@tranger4579]

@@islandbee the scenery is a lot better up there. My cousin lived in Seattle and loved the weather. She is from south Texas.

[@collagecult]

Lack of diversity is not a con, that means it's probably very safe. It's probably a very peaceful place to live because of the lack of diversity, and less racial tensions, conflict, crime, etc.

[@blake.youtsey]

Assuming a place lacking diversity is safer is not only racist but it is also ignorant, untrue and not a viewpoint tolerated in Bellingham. We celebrate all differences here even though it may not be diverse at the moment or even historically. I would suggest you avoid moving here because those sort of ideals are not welcome in this city in any way.

[@realjohanngoethe]

@@blake.youtsey you are the one incorrect. Ethnic diversity is a source of strife everywhere it appears, that's nothing new under the sun. You're certainly not in the position to ban people from the town. Nor can you chastise people for racism when you present white population as a "con". You should be ashamed of yourself, sir.

[@ryanhansen8312]

We don't have a ton of diversity here. This is true. But unlike some states, we celebrate over 1,789,908,890 different genders...

[@blake.youtsey]

Very true, it is a very accepting place for the queer/nonbinary community

[@michaelluckmann9773]

Trying to determine the tone of this comment ....

[@awesomesauce-r6z]

Culture? lmaooo

[@blake.youtsey]

I believe what you are talking about is diversity or the lack there of, which I talked about later in the video and is a separate aspect of a community. Hope that helps clarify!

[@ericbeemer8947]

Smellingham is Commiefornia Jr.

[@daddysavvypatty]

Coming from Texas to go to college up there and now I'm lowkey rethinking my decision😅

[@blake.youtsey]

I definitely feel it 😂 I will say I’ve tried to leave a couple times to CA and FL but both times I end up wanting to come back for all the pros. What part of Texas do you live in?