Bellingham Accolades

Bellingham and Whatcom County have been consistently recognized among the nation’s most desirable locations to live and work.  In recent years Bellingham has found favor with many top publications and organizations in regards to "best places" to live, best places to retire, Best air, best trails and best place to kayak!

In May of 2007, Mother Earth News claimed the city one of the 8 "Great Places You Never Heard Of!" Claiming, "Beautiful scenery, access to an abundance of local food and a strong commitment to water and energy efficiency makes the city really stand out."

In May of 2007, Wiley Publishing released a book, Cities Ranked and Rated: More Than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. & Canada”, ranking this city 2nd overall in the nation and 1st in the nation for "empty nester" baby boomers!

In December of 2006, after considering crime statistics, extreme weather, environmental hazards, risks of natural disasters, terrorism threats, and job losses in 379 other metro cities in the US, the city was ranked 4th in the nation in the Third Annual "Most Secure Places To Live" from the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies.
In 2006, CNNs' Money Magazine rated the city 2nd in Washington state among the "Best Places To Retire". Based these towns with top-notch health care, loads of culture, lots of green space and low taxes. Their online article noted about the city, "the great outdoors and a sophisticated community all at your doorstep," and has "metropolitan ambitions without big-city hassles."

In August of 2006, Outside Magazine rated the city “best paddling town in the USA!”

The Bellingham/Whatcom County area is among the 25 cleanest cities in terms of air pollution, according to data collected by the E.P.A. as reported by the American Lung Association. (May 2000)   In May of 2006, in a nationwide study by the American Lung Association, the city was named among 11 other cities as having the cleanest air 6 years in a row!

Also, in May 2006, Inc. Magazine rated the city as 5th "hottest boomtown" under 150,000 in population, based on recent job growth.

In April of 2006, the League of American Bicyclists lists the city as a "silver" level Bicycle Friendly Community. It is the only city in the Pacific Northwest with that designation.

In February of 2006, Where to Retire Magazine did a story on Bellingham as a place for active seniors to live.
In November of 2005, Dog Fancy listed the city as one of the top 10 "dog-friendly cities" in the USA.

The American Hiking Society and the National Park Service have designated Bellingham as a “Trail Town USA.”
In March 2005, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance named Bellingham one of the top retirement cities in the nation
In September of 2004, the city was named as one of the 10 top "Adventure Towns" in the nation by the National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

In May of 2003, Men's Journal calls it one of the 50 best small cities in which to live.

Skiing magazine rated the area’s Mt. Baker ski area highly in several categories in 2002, with similar honors bestowed by Snowboard Life magazine for the same period. This magazine also awarded top ratings in such categories as challenge, snow quality, and scenery.

In its November 2002 issue, Golf Digest rated Bellingham as the seventh “best little golf town in America” from a list of more than 300 other candidates. With 16 public golf courses, Whatcom County has more golf courses per capita than any other county in the Pacific Northwest. The region is frequently referred to as "Monterey North."
Forbes Magazine ranked Bellingham in its “Top 15” list of smaller cities for business and investment in 2001.

AARP's Modern Maturity rated Bellingham as one of the best 50 towns in which to retire and live. Bellingham was ranked 4th in their 'clean and green' category. (May/June 2000)

 Numerous spots around Bellingham/Whatcom County have been listed as the "Best Places to Kiss in the N.W.," including Schnauzer Crossing Bed and Breakfast and Chuckanut Drive.