TimL Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 I might be moving to the area and am interested to hear how you like living in Bellingham. How are the people, access to climbing, climbing gyms, cost of living, climbing community, etc? I'm in the final interviewing stages for a job in the area and am looking for a little beta on the area before I commit to moving. Thanks for any and all information. Quote
HeadSpace Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 you're actually going to get a job, are you kidding? come on, move to bellingham, what the hell? oh, by the way how was canmore? Quote
COL._Von_Spanker Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 B'ham rox if you ask me. I lived there for 5 years and still go up often. The YMCA actually has a decent plactic gym, for a YMCA in bellingham. It's no vertical world in terms of size, but they just expanded. For the cost of a membership at a rock gym you get the whole YMCA membership. There's always fun stuff to do. The beaver inn has deep fried pickles. The cost of living is cheaper than redmond. As for outdoor climbing, there is bouldering at larabee and a cool slab to boulder on at this little cove on the water right before there, not sure what that's called. Oyster dome has a few climbs on it, though I've never climbed the wall I've sat atop watching after riding up the trail from the I-5 side (blanchard hill trail). You will be close to darrington as well as squirmish (about 2hours methinks). And dont get me started on the mountain biking. I would probably move there if I could get a decent job. Quote
dberdinka Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Hi Tim. We've actually met. I jump-started your car in the parking lot of Index a month ago. Climbing access: Squamish, Darrington, Index are all just over 90 miles from town. Erie is often times good all year long and is 45 to 50 minutes from town. Some people hate it. But the climbing is decent and the views are amazing. Good for a spring afternoon. Bouldering at Larrabee State Park (10 minutes from town) can be a pleasant diversion as well. There are other areas near town but they're all pretty much chossy and forgotten (sorry Jason). Alpine climbing in North Cascades is obviously closer than Seattle. Lots of stuff in BC is close as well (i.e. Slesse's less than 70 miles away) Cost-of-living: Been here to long to compare. Rent is cheap. Buying a house is ridiculously cheap compared to Seattle. Covers at bars are generally non-existent to cheap. Milk is about $3 a gallon. If you've got a decent paying job (most don't) you'll be just fine. Climbing Gyms: There are two in town. The YMCA just installed a riduclously huge wall (70+ feet tall?)and plans on running it as a real climbing gym rather than a daycare. It will cost you though. Definitely a good place to get a pump. Community, Climbing and otherwise: This is the city of subdued excitment. It tends to be kind of quiet around here. Maybe it's just me but any sense of climbing community is fractured to nonexistent. The climbing gyms have certainly never been an epi-center. That said, most people here are very open and friendly, we just all tend to stay home at night. Other perks: Excellent system of trails and parks. Chuckanut Mountains have extensive trail system 10-20 minutes from town. Including a cool cave with an underground lake. Great mountain biking, good beer, good food, blah, blah ,blah. Curious to see what others have to say...... Quote
TimL Posted January 7, 2003 Author Posted January 7, 2003 Yeah, I guess all good things have to come to an end sometime. But its not the end yet. Canadian Rockies were good. Did 2 O'clock Falls, SAR's on Ice thru 5.7.0., Grotto Falls and Professor Falls. Fun stuff. Wanna get back up there soon. Lets get out soon. Maybe you, JG and I can head up to Little Wet. Quote
RuMR Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Hey Tim...craz polish bob lives up there...I'll pm you his contact info...he's a great climbing buddy... Quote
TimL Posted January 7, 2003 Author Posted January 7, 2003 Right on dberdinka. Thanks for the jump and the info. Quote
allthumbs Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Right, but don't bend over in front of him. Quote
RuMR Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 (edited) He doesn't match his screen personna in real life... He's a good partner cuz he's into every facet of climbing...so, no matter what your game is, he's good for it...Except you trask, you probably got some sick games he wouldn't be interested in... Edited January 7, 2003 by RuMR Quote
RuMR Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Nope...different guy... CrazyPolishBob=Agent Orange Necro = some other dork... Quote
allthumbs Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Whatever - I'll pass on the psycho partners, thanks. Quote
allthumbs Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 No way - a pervert maybe - but a fun, harmless one. I'd just as soon buy you a beer as look at you. Quote
Necronomicon Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Bellingham blows. I'd never live here. I don't even climb. Quote
Necronomicon Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Necro = Hardman. Fucking double post . Quote
dberdinka Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 Necro's actually a pretty nice guy, if a bit on the ugly side... Quote
COL._Von_Spanker Posted January 7, 2003 Posted January 7, 2003 So they are running the new Y wall as a seperate entity? That's too bad. I used to volunteer there and it was free. Quote
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