Western Washington University Bellingham ???

[MT930]

Going to tour Western Washington University in Bellingham Wa

Any thoughts or experiences on the school, anything else we should see in or around Bellingham.

Seattle area is the family's favorite vacation spot but have not spent much time in Bellingham. Recommendations would be appreciated.

[Rick Lee]

My sister lives right down the street from the school. I'm not a PNW kind of guy, but B'ham is a lot more laid back than Seattle, less crowded, zero traffic and has a small town vibe to it. It's pretty close to Vancouver, BC and I-5 is a litte less ridiculous up that way than at points south where it can be a parking lot. Cost of living is not low. You have a lot of folks with advances degrees, making good money and driving the RE prices. If you're into old school, mom and pop hardware stores, B'ham has one that can't be beaten.

[RANDY P]

I love Hongcouver

[Schrup]

Awesome golfing, tons of stellar courses.

[island911]

Chuckanut Drive

[J P Stein]

Back in the day, WW was known as party central.

[arcsine]

I went to school at WWU and now years later work there. Waddya wanna know?

Cannot call Hardware Sales which Rick alludes to a vacation destination but it is a wonderfully great hardware store. Some good, some funky and good restaurants in town. I think we have 5 or 6 brew pubs in town now as well. For olde school B'Ham, Fairhaven is a good place to spend some time (and it is at the north end of the cannot-miss Chuckanut Drive that Glenn mentioned). Seattle is 90 minutes south. Vancouver about the same north (figuring in border crossing times). Mt Baker and lots of deep woods hiking an hour to the east. The Stupendous San Juan Islands 60 minutes to the west. Galbraith Mountain is a world class mt biking place about 5 minutes out of town (near Lake Padden which has hiking trails all around it). If you are looking for elite culture, keep moving. If you like a smaller, engaged, overeducated community that really likes to get outside, it is a great place to live. The school is beautiful, very well respected. If nothing else, the outdoor sculpture collection is worth the walk around campus alone. Let me know if you need more information.

[MT930]

Daughter is interested in the school, looks like a good one. The town of Bellingham Is nice sized and looks safe.

The outdoor opportunities look good which is a big requirement for her. The proximity to the Sea is also a real + for her. She Loves the PNW Weather and Islands.

Should be fun to explore. Any dining recommendations family casual, brew pubs are great.

[island911]

Daughter, eh? If the demographics are what they used to be she will have few men to choose from (as potential husbands) . Of course if she's looking for a potential wife, then she'll be all set.

[ledhedsymbols]

I live about 40 minutes south of B'Ham in the Skagit River Valley. I can't speak to WWU, but Bellingham is a neat little college town with lots of interesting places. It's a little interesting shall we say... Think mildly Portlandia.

Bellingham is a pretty nice little city from my experience. No place is perfect, but it's lack of proximity to a major metro makes it somewhat insulated from the crime bleed-over from a large city.

If you are into electricity/electronics and antique radios (and who isn't) this place is pretty cool. They have a spectacular radio collection and a 1 Megawatt Tesla coil!
SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham, WA

The Skagit River Valley plays host to a large population of bald eagles in the fall and winter months. It's a beautiful drive starting about a half hour or so south of Bellingham on Hwy 20 in Burlington.

PM me if you have any questions. I'm not intimately familiar with Bellingham, but would be happy to help you in any way I can.

Brew Pubs:
http://chuckanutbreweryandkitchen.com/

http://www.bbaybrewery.com/

In Mount Vermin:
http://www.porterhousepub.net/

http://www.empirealehouse.com/

Next to The Porterhouse if you want great HOT Thai food. It's literally a lunch counter type place.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rachawadee-thai-cafe-mount-vernon

[arcsine]

In addition to the aforementioned brewpubs:
Kulshan Brewing Company
wanderbrewing.com/
www.facebook.com/pages/Gruff-Brewing/766913276669962
Aslan Brewing Co.

Dining:
Soy House Restaurant
Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant
The Fork at Agate Bay
Scotty Brown's
Pepper Sisters Restaurant
Bayou on Bay
D'Anna's Italiano Cafe
Mambo Italiano Cafe
Home | Anthony's Home Port
The Copper Hog Gastropub

[MT930]

Originally Posted by island911

Daughter, eh? If the demographics are what they used to be she will have few men to choose from (as potential husbands) . Of course if she's looking for a potential wife, then she'll be all set.

Lack of males works for me, there are plenty back in Montana

Great Info !!!

[Rusty Heap]

Originally Posted by island911

Chuckanut Drive

This.


As you're posting this on a Porsche Website, you may like to carve up a twisty coastal sinusoidal curvy road.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jemc2Yxwyu0&feature=player_detailpage#t=111



I invented a new rule on this fun filled curvy road, it's 35 mph............"per lane" was my motto, if you start to dip into the other lane on the fast hot corner exit off the apex..........you can do twice the speed limit if you use both lanes.

[tedg04]

[gatotom]

B ham is a fun town and good eats everywhere, never have a bad time there. A killer rest. on Lummi island, kinda expensive but good.

What can I say about the islands, we are sailing them almost every other weekend.

[LWJ]

Two family members currently attend. They seem pleased. They had other (more prestigious) options but WWU got the nod.

Larry

[HardDrive]

Bellingham is a wonderful town. I would send my daughter there without hesitation.

*sigh*.....I miss Seattle.

[arcsine]

Originally Posted by tedg04

This I find funny considering the VERY conservative philosophy of areas of Bellingham and most of Whatcom County.

[MT930]

Had great visit to Western Washington and Bellingham WA daughter liked the school. Neat town with lots of outdoor stuff. It's a strong contender.

Had dinner at the Loft at the Marina & did the Chuckanut drive south. Very good experience overall.

The moss will grow on you if you stop moving though.

[RSBob]

Stepson went there and really enjoyed the experience. Liked the instructors, the community, and curriculum. The campus is quite nice.