UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
| liv score 660 How We Calculate Our Data |
|
|---|---|
| Civics | 60 |
| Demographics | 48 |
| Economy | 57 |
| Education | 66 |
| Health | 65 |
| Housing | 34 |
| Infrastructure | 55 |
#33. Bellingham, WA
Just take a look around Bellingham and it’s obvious why people want to live there: Pacific coastal access as well as picturesque views and hiking trails at nearby Cascades National Park, as well as a quirky and thriving arts scene. But beyond the scenery and the amenities, Bellingham is a college town (home of Western Washington University) that is rapidly growing, with Whatcom County experiencing a faster rate of growth than the rest of the state.
And with short commute times and an abundance of opportunity in education, healthcare and agriculture (Whatcom county is the biggest producer of raspberries in the country), you might want to ask yourself why you’re not already here.
Top Industries and Employers: Education and healthcare are the top industries in Bellingham, with Western Washington University and St. Joseph Medical Center as major employers in the area.
Best Coffee Shop: Quaint patio seating and chill vibes are what Black Drop Coffeehouse offers to caffeine fiends.
Best Local Beer/Brewery: Try the multiple award-winning Frances Farmer Saison from Aslan Brewing Company.
Must-Have Meal: Okay, so technically it’s not a meal, but the coconut chocolate chunk with almonds from Mallard Ice Cream is legendary — and we fully support the decision to eat ice cream for dinner.
Best Co-Working Space: Invent Coworking, located downtown, offers a photography studio as well as special services for tech startups in addition to all the standard co-working amenities.
Best Meetup Spot (When Meeting Up Is a Thing Again): The Temple Bar is a comfortable spot where you can drink wine and eat cheese alone or with a group — it’s just that kind of place
Creative Hub: Village Books and Paper Dreams is the literary hub of the city, hosting more than 300 events with superstar authors from all over the globe.
Favorite Weekend Activity: Admiring the four sets of waterfalls while hiking around Whatcom Falls Park.
Free Way to Have Fun: Being a coastal community, Bellingham free fun is easy to come by thanks to all of its beautiful beaches, like Locust Beach, a hidden gem where you can spend the day kayaking, or just listening to those Pacific waves crash down.
Local Dream Job: A grower at Smith Gardens, one of the top 100 growers in the country for annuals and perennials.
Read More:
Why Bellingham, WA is a Great City for Fall Libations
Moving to Washington? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
8 Washington Landmarks Every Music Fan Needs to Visit
– Jamie Birdwell-Branson