Welcome to the heart of the Pacific Northwest
When we think about the emerald of the Pacific Northwest, many people turn their thoughts to Bellingham. As the last major town before crossing the border into Canada, Bellingham sits ideally situated 85 miles north of Seattle and 50 miles south of Vancouver, B.C.
Bellingham is home to many recreational opportunities and has been recognized by several outdoor publications as the perfect place to play all year round outdoors. Outside Magazine recognized Bellingham as being the “best paddling destination in the United States,” and Inside Golf Newspaper ranked Bellingham as “a hotbed of great golf” (Inside Golf Newspaper, 2020)
CNN Money Magazine ranked Bellingham as the #5 best place to retire in the country. National Geographic stated in 2011 that Bellingham is a highly recommended “Adventure Town” where you can find endless outdoor activities, great hotels, fantastic hotels, food, and sunsets you will never forget. (National Geographic, 2011)
Included with all this fantastic scenery is nationally ranked Western Washington University. For the past 22 years, according to U.S. News and World Report, WWU has been ranked as the #1 public master’s granting university in the Pacific Northwest. WWU is also ranked as being a best-value university and 4th Top Public University in the West. Karen attended WWU as an undergraduate and can attest that WWU is a great university and a relaxing and stunning place to live while studying. Additionally, in the past five years, an explosion of student housing around the university has made finding a place to live while attending WWU much easier.
Bellingham and indeed all of Whatcom County is tied to the water. The word Whatcom derives from the Nooksack https://nooksacktribe.org/ Indigenous word What-Coom,” meaning “noisy, rumbling water.” (Oakley, 2005) This refers specifically to the Nooksack River, which runs through much of the Eastern part of Whatcom County, but with water all around the county, it also refers to Squalicum Harbor, https://www.portofbellingham.com/199/About-Squalicum-Harbor the second largest in Puget Sound with just under 2,000 vessels moored. Blaine Harbor https://www.portofbellingham.com/197/About-Blaine-Harbor to the North is an EnviroStars-certified clean marina with space for 650 boats.
As mentioned above by Outside Magazine, Bellingham is a haven for kayaking and surf skis. With the incredible and world-famous San Juan Islands beckoning you, one only needs to hit the water and be away from stress and care in a few short hours.
As we are all heading into a world where climate issues occupy headlines worldwide, it is worth mentioning that in 2005 the Bellingham City Council created a climate action plan in 2007 with an updated 2018 greenhouse gas reduction plan. You can view this plan on Bellingham Climate Emissions and Goals webpage. While no place is completely protected from the effects of climate change, Whatcom County is facing our challenges with planned measures designed to mitigate much of the anticipated impacts of what a changing climate may bring to our fantastic part of the world.
See why Whatcom County is catching the attention of those seeking their own space in the lushness of the Pacific Northwest. Bellingham is waiting for you because You Belong Here.
About Kirk
I was born in California, but my childhood was spent right here in Bellingham. After graduating from Sehome High School I attended the University of Washington, where I graduated with a degree in Anthropology and Archaeology.
Culture, language, global perspectives, and a thirst for adventure have always been constants for me, so after graduating from UW I spent months traveling around Europe with a very dear friend. I have since lost this friend and it the laughter and joy of remembering how important it is to create memories that reminds me daily to live life to its fullest.
I met my wife Karen when we were both in our early twenties. We both have a zest for life that became twofold when we met. After time spent working in the Colorado mountains, we longed to return to Bellingham, so we did. After a brief stint in Friday Harbor, we were again called home to the sea and sky that is also mysteriously called “the city of subdued excitement.”
Family is everything to us both. Our two sons, Riley and Reed, are blessed to be residents in a place rich with outdoor opportunities. As experienced parents we can share all that Whatcom County has to offer. Our now adult children are an integrated part of our lives even to this day. Our oldest son is a professional sailor who loves getting people out on the water and our youngest is a talented sewist, SCA participant, and works at the local Bellingham Food Coop as their wine manager. Reed is also an out and proud transgendered human being. We have traveled this journey with him in love and support. It is why our tagline “you belong here” is not just a catchy phrase. We want everyone to know that Bellingham welcomes you. Please click the Pflag link at the bottom of our page if you are in need of any of the multitude of services offered here. Please feel free to ask us any questions that you might have about inclusion. We are here to help, to listen, and to offer you assurances that while no place is perfect, Bellingham takes PRIDE in being one of the most liberal cities on the West Coast.
I am foremost a proud parent and partner to my wife of over 30 years. It is my dedication to living a life of integrity and honoring that every family is seeking their own sanctuary that I am also proud of my 25 year career in real estate. Your home needs to fit your specific needs, not mine. Experience matters when choosing where your family lives and I have that experience.
What does my experience look like outside of the real estate world? I am a passionate mountain biker, hiker, adventure motorcyclist, and dog rescuer. Currently, we have three rescued fur children that will be featured often in our weekly blogs. If two wheeled adventures are your calling, I will be writing about a trip I have planned with friends motorcycling through Norway later this year. Like to mountain bike? I live at the base of Galbraith Mountain and can share the best trails and answer any questions you might have.
Your life deserves to be embraced. If you are seeking open spaces and open minds, there is a spot waiting for you. We look forward to welcoming you.
About Karen
I was born and raised on the West side of Washington State. After leaving Issaquah to attend Western Washington University, I married Kirk after completing my studies. We have always had an adventurous spirit filled with many stories centered on living in the Pacific Northwest. One of these adventures was moving to San Juan Island shortly after we were married. Real estate is quite expensive on the island, but with imagination and creativity, we were able to secure a tiny piece of land; with another creative bank loan, we had a tiny house. Our first son was born on the island. The story of how we started the journey of home ownership is now being repeated by our son Riley. There truly is a way, but you have to be creative and willing to make sacrifices.
We moved from San Juan Island when Riley was 2. Bellingham was calling us back and we have been here ever since. Our son Reed was born in Bellingham and has lived here his entire life.
We made the decision early on that I would be a full time stay at home mother. If living on one income is hard, not having an outside career to be a parent is harder. I never regretted my decision and am incredibly thankful that I was able to be home with my children. We have built a life here. It is a life spent learning the language of the forest, understanding that we need to respect nature and being creative.
My passions include restoring abandoned orchard trees, hiking with my three dogs, collecting very eclectic artwork, researching climate mitigation techniques, and recently, graduating from Johns Hopkins University with an MA in Culture, Heritage, and Nonprofit Management. I am a restless person who rarely sits down. I read a lot, write a lot, cook interesting food, and am passionate about other cultures. I deeply enjoying hearing about other people’s passions. I hope you take the time to share your passions with me as I will with you through our weekly blogs.
Owning a home is about more than a financial investment. It is where your soul resides. It is where you seek sanctuary; it is the frame that holds the sculpture that is you. We are here to help you frame yourself into the right space because, “you belong here.”
References
History Link Staff. (2003). History Link. Retrieved February 5, 2023, from Milestones for Washington State History — Part 1: Prehistory to 1850: https://www.historylink.org/File/5366
Inside Golf Newspaper. (2020, June 2). Retrieved from Bellingham: A Hotbed of Great Golf: https://www.insidegolfnewspaper.com/bellingham-a-hot-bed-of-great-golf/
National Geographic. (2011, August 9). National Geographic. Retrieved from Adventure Town: Bellingham Washington: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/bellingham-washington
Oakley, J. (2005, July 31). History Link. Retrieved from Whatcom County — Thumbnail History: https://www.historylink.org/file/7327
Western Washington University. (2021, September 16). U.S. News Ranks WWU as Top Public Master’s-Granting School in Pacific Northwest for the 22nd Straight Year. Retrieved from Western Washington University: https://westerntoday.wwu.edu/news/us-news-ranks-wwu-as-top-public-master-s-granting-school-in-pacific-northwest-for-the-22nd
