Dawn Durand - Windermere's Best

Whatcom Locales
Bellingham
Blaine
Sumas
Fairhaven
Semiahmoo
Mt Baker
Ferndale
Lynden
Sudden Valley
Birch Bay
Everson

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Bellingham TOP DOWN

Traffic is still easy to navigate
in this active small City

Population 61,000

Bellingham is the largest city in Whatcom County and serves as the county seat. It's variety of shoreline, rolling hills, lakes and an abundance of trails and parks offers a natural balance to it's bustling downtown area and mega-shopping mall at Bellis Fair.

The city's extensive and award winning parks system consists of 70 miles of trails and more than 2,200 acres. Interwoven with the new remains the old--the Whatcom Museum with tales of the logging, fishing and gold mining days, the Mount Baker Theatre, perfectly restored, where you can catch a live theatre or dance performance, book stores, galleries, and antique malls.

Bellingham's waterfront is framed with parks and promenades connected by a series of foot and bicycle trails. The full scale marina houses a fine fishing fleet plus the Bellingham Yacht Club and many fine restaurants.

Sehome Hill in the center of town is topped by one of the finest education facilities in the state--Western Washington University. St. Joseph's Hospital offers the latest in top-notch medical care for the entire community. this is a thriving town with a positive attitude that is receptive to change but based on a solid foundation of conservatism.

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Fairhaven UP TOP DOWN

The restored Historic District
provides a pleasant urban experience

Included as part of Bellingham at it's southern end, is the historic Fairhaven District. This area has recently seen a rejuvenation of activity with the restoration of many of the original brick buildings and cobblestoned streets from the turn of the century.

A favorite destination for visitors and locals alike to listen to authors giving live readings at the famous bookstore or stop by the corner coffee or ale houses to meet with friends. Lots of great restaurants, gift shops and markets.

The Fairhaven Station & Cruise Terminal, located at the foot of Harris Avenue, offers ferry service to Alaska, Victoria and the San Juans. Amtrak & Greyhound bus conections are also available there.

Fairhaven is an amiable blend of all ages, from University students, to growing families, to retirees. The view of the Bay is spectacular and the ocean breeze is always fresh.

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Ferndale UP TOP DOWN

View from “The Hill”
with Mt Baker in the distance

population 6,830

The town of Ferndale lies approximately 15 mins north of Bellingham on I-5. Homes on the "hill" have an excellent view of Mt. Baker to the east and the San Juan Islands to the west.

In the lower areas, surrounding town, zoning is generally one home per 5 acres so everyone has the elbowroom that seems to be in demand. Raise horses, cattle, corn or berries or just relax in the peaceful surroundings. Schools are award winning and teachers renowned.

The Nooksack river winds its way through the city on it's way to the Bay. The deep water port at Cherry Point just west of Ferndale is considerad a prime area for development as a major industrial and shipping site.

Ferndale is home to three of Whatcom County's largest employers--the ARCO refinery at Cherry Point, TOSCO, and the INTALCO aluminnum plant provide employment for nearly one third of Ferndale's residents.

A new branch of a well-known grocery store and also a famous fast-food restaurant have recently opened in town--both excellent signs of projected growth for this community. New homes start as low as 130,000 for 3 bedroom, 2 bath.

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Birch Bay UP TOP DOWN

View across Birch Bay
from the shoreline

population 2,657

The small resort community of Birch Bay comes alive during the summer months. It is located just five miles south of the Canadian Border in the far north-east corner of the state.

Driving time to downtown Bellingham is 30 mins or to Vancouver, B.C. International Airport just 40 minutes.

It is well known for its shallow, warm waters and crescent shaped bay with miles of beaches ideal for wind surfing, beach combing and bird watching. Birch Bay State Park is also an official Audubon Sanctuary.

There are five golf courses in the area, a growing number of time share and full-time condo dwellers, an abundance of beach cabins, and a beautiful gated community on the waterfront at Birch Bay Village. Homes range from 120,000 to 650,000. A sunny summer destination, a quiet getaway in winter, a great place to live all year round.

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Blaine UP TOP DOWN

A seagull stands watch
over Drayton Harbor

population 3,125

Blaine is the last stop before crossing the Canadian border. Duty free shops, antique stores and galleries attract visitors from across "the line".

The city follows the natural curve of Drayton Harbor and was once a thriving fishing and processing center.

Salmon fishing and whale watching charters are available and it is a relatively inexpensive and very low key place to retire or to raise a family. Schools are excellent and I'5 access easy from anywhere in town.

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Semiahmoo UP TOP DOWN

The approach into the private
saltwater marina at Semiahmoo

Semiahmoo is an 1,100 acre master planned , gated community located near the city of Blaine. It includes the luxurious Semiahmoo Inn on the Spit, a private 300-slip saltwater marina and an 18-hole championship Arnold Palmer golf course.

The community offers a variety of waterfront, view and golf course homes and home sites. All amenities have been completed including a $4 million clubhouse tennis courts, swimming pools, miles of hiking and cycling trails and other recreation facilities.

To date, over 225 luxury homes and condominiums have been built. The master plan guarantees quality architecture and landscaping, environmental and marine biology protection and an attractive residential neighborhood. Lots are large and privacy respected.

Vancouver, B.C. and Vancouver International Airport are 40 mins away, Bellingham is 30 mins away.

For info packet call or E-mail Dawn Durand.

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Lynden UP TOP DOWN

The Dutch heritage of Lynden
creates a European flair

population 7,315

Lynden is located about 20 minutes directly north of Bellingham in north central Whatcom County. It is a farming community of Dutch heritage and residents still practice many of their ancestors' traditions.

Dutch bakeries, specialty shops and wooden shoes abound. Produce includes dairy, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, corn, ginseng, potatoes, apples, plums, pears, tulips and numerous other flowering tubers and just about anything else you'd like to try to grow.

Whatcom County's mild climate offers lots of opportunity. Shops in Lynden are closed on Sundays. The town has a reputation of having a church on every corner and for having a very tidy appearance. No matter how humble, almost all homes show excellent pride of ownership. Yards are manicured, streets and sidewalks are clean and safe. Schools have excellent ratings and parent participation is high.

The Northwest Washington Fair, held every August in Lynden, is known for its big-name grandstand entertainers, horse races and carnival attracting more than 200,000 people annually.

In the last 2 years housing has rapidly increased providing homes in all price brackets. Some new communities such as Homestead have excellent golf courses and other recreational ammenities.

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Everson UP TOP DOWN

A revitalized commercial district
from a Community that cares

population 1,800

Everson & Nooksack are neighboring towns which service the quiet, green, agricultural communities which surround them. Farmers raise dairy cattle, blueberriers, raspberries, strawberries, potatoes, corn, peas, apples and even mushrooms!

The town of Everson has recently undergone a revitalization with the restoration of some of the original building features and the additon of sidewalks and streetlights. Both of these towns are approx. 20 minutes from Bellingham and property values will undoubtedly continue to rise.

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Sumas UP TOP DOWN

The Sumas Post Office
provides a main social hub

population 973

This sleepy little community on the Canadian border is a good investment. Property values have just begun to reflect the boom in Bellingham. Sumas is 30 minutes from downtown Bellingham and located at the base of the Coastal hills in the Northeast corner of the county.

It is currently a farming town with one main street and most residents drive to Bellingham to do any major shopping. Homes are reasonably priced and the countryside is beautiful --flat farmland merging into rolling hills at the base of the Coastal Range. Schools are excellent and buses transport children safely to either the Nooksack or Mt Baker School District.

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Mt Baker UP TOP DOWN

Mt Baker at sunrise...
view from the valley

Deming • Acme • Kendall • Maple Falls • Glacier
Hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, birdwatching, camping, fishing, photography...all this and more on your way from the valley to Mt. Baker National Park. Small communities along the way provide a big welcome for tourists with bakeries, antique stores and small shops, "home-cookin'" restaurants, a vineyard, berry and Christmas tree famrs. Residents enjoy the peaceful serenity of being anywhere from 30 - 60 minutes from I-5.

For Recreation Info in this area call or E-mail Dawn Durand.

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Sudden Valley UP TOP

A lake shore walkway
in this resort-like atmosphere

population 3,500

If you're fed up with urban living but not quite ready to move to the back-country, this resort-like community may be for you. Nestled between lakes and hills, with nature still intact, are 1245 homes, 243 condos, an 18 hole championship public golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and miles of scenic walkways.

Sudden Valley is situated on the southwest side of Lake Whatcom (15-20 mins from Bellingham) on 1,800 acres of prime waterfront and senic forest land. Children are bussed to Bellingham Scools and there are restaurants, a general store/gas station, etc. available without driving to town.

For an info package on this community call or Email Dawn Durand.

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