Publications and Organizations Favor Region

Publications and organizations that have recently shone a favorable light on Bellingham:

2008

• February 2008, CityDog Magazine (Winter edition ‘07/’08) highlighted Fairhaven as a great dog-friendly destination spot, including local shops, hotels, cafes and dog parks.

2007 and older

• May 2007, Wiley Publishing releases "Cities Ranked & Rated: More Than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. & Canada” ranking Bellingham WA second overall in the nation and first in the nation for "empty nester" baby boomers.

• December 2006, Third Annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, Bellingham ranks 4th in the nation in metropolitan areas of 150,000-500,000. The rankings, compiled by the researchers at Sperling’s BestPlaces, took into consideration crime statistics, extreme weather, risk of natural disasters, environmental hazards, terrorism threats and job loss numbers in 379 U.S. metro areas.

• August 2006, Outside Magazine ranks Bellingham Best Paddling town in the USA.

• May 2006, Inc magazine rates Bellingham as fifth hotest boomtown under 150,000 in population, based on recent job growth.

•May 2006: Bellingham is among 11 cities with the cleanest air nationwide in a study by the American Lung Association (sixth year in a row).

• April 2006: the League of American Bicyclists lists Bellingham as a "silver" level Bicycle Friendly Community. Bellingham is the only city in Northwest with that designation.

•February 2006, Where to Retire magazine did a story on Bellingham as a place for active seniors to live.

•November 2005, Dog Fancy lists Bellingham as one of the top ten dog-friendly cities in the USA.

• September 2004, National Geographic Adventure magazine names Bellingham in the top ten "Adventure Towns" in the nation.

• CNN and Money magazine rates Bellingham among the eight best places to retire. The online article says Bellingham offers "the great outdoors and a sophisticated community all at your doorstep," and has "metropolitan ambitions without big-city hassles."

The article lauds the city’s trails and natural beauty, Western Washington University’s drama department, Fairhaven district and the city’s close access to snow skiing.

• Spring 2003: AARP The Magazine lists Bellingham second among 15 "dream towns" for boomers looking to settle down in a new locale. Citing the city’s "natural charm, affordable neighborhoods and recreational opportunities," the May/ June issue rated Bellingham second only to the Fort Collins/Loveland area of Colorado.

• May 2003: Men’s Journal calls Bellingham one of the 50 best small cities in which to live.

Bellingham ranked 33rd among the "hippest, healthiest, and most adventure packed" small cities in America.

• November 2002: Golf Digest ranks the Bellingham area No. 7 nationally for quality public golf. The state’s next highest golf destination was the Tri-Cities, at No. 80.

• November 2002: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine calls Bellingham one of the best places in the nation to retire. It cited access to cultural and recreational activities, plus Bellingham’s lack of congestion, crime and high-living costs.

• September 2001: Outside magazine calls Bellingham one of its 10 "Dream Towns," noting its close access to shorelines, rivers, the San Juan Islands and the Cascade Mountains.

"Don wool socks and sandals for a night on the town; plant rhododendrons in your yard; shoot your own indie film," advised the magazine.