Hackney's Houses

Bellingham bumped up from 38th to #2 on this most recent Best Places to Live ranking.  It sure is fun to live in such a desireable area, especially when it's based highly on the quality of life and natural setting elements. 

It's A Good Life...Sean

May. 10, 2007

MEDIA

Bellingham rises on top-spots list

City is No. 2, up from 38th in ’04

Bellingham has made another “best places to live” list — ranking No. 2 in the nation behind Gainesville, Fla.

Oregon-based Fast Forward Inc., owned by Bert Sperling, released the second edition of “Cities Ranked and Rated” on Monday.

The Vancouver, Wash.-Portland, Ore., area ranked No. 3. The next highest Washington state area was Olympia at No. 16.

The list, part of the 848-page book, takes into account a city’s cost of living, median home cost, crime, climate, education spending, health care, transportation and arts and culture, among other factors.

Bellingham ranked 38th the last time the list was released in 2004.

The ranking is one of a series of accolades for the area in recent years. Bellingham regularly has been named a top recreational city by Outside, Paddler and National Geographic Adventure magazines. It’s also been named a top spot for active retirees and emptynesters by various publications including AARP The Magazine and Kiplinger.

Drew Graham, development director of the Bellingham/ Whatcom Chamber of Commerce, said Bellingham’s low unemployment levels and proximity to so many amenities help the area place high on these sorts of lists.

“We’re so close to so many things,” Graham said. “(Bellingham is) 45 minutes to some of the best skiing in the world and 85 minutes to Seattle and 65 to Vancouver (B.C.), two cultural meccas.”