possible move to Washington, some questions
 

Hey guys,

I'm tossing around the idea of moving to NW Washington state this summer to be closer to a loved one who recently moved to Vancouver. I'm a senior at Georgia Tech, I'll be on an internship this spring semester and I'm close enough to graduation where summer classes would make my fall/spring easier but aren't necessary. So I'm gonna have a decent amount of cash and some potential free time.

Looking on a map and doing some quick searches, it looks like Bellingham would be my best option? Anyway, I just had some questions about cost of living and how easy it is to cross the border. Basically I'd be living for three months as cheap as I could and just driving up to Vancouver whenever time/schedules would allow.

I know its a completely crazy idea but its my last summer of being a college student and I haven't done anything too adventurous yet. So what do the locals say, is Bellingham my best bet? Is there cheap housing (think student apartments, roommates available, etc)? Would it be pretty easy to find a part time job (nothing big, would prefer not to work in retail or food but would if I had to)?

Anyway, like I said, just tossing around the idea and figured I would get the input from some local guys. There seem to be a lot of rotor heads in the state too, so it can't be all bad!

Bellingham is best described as a drinking town with a small college problem.

To cross the border easily, it would be best to pay $70 at the post office and get a passport. with a passport, you can cross easily. otherwise, you used to only have a birth certificate at most, but they have tightened up a bit in the past year. getting a passport would be worth it, and then your guarenteed no issues.

CJG

Sounds like fun to me :)

Already got a passport (spent the new year in Vancouver). I guess what I meant by ease of crossing, is it much of hassle to cross while driving? Do I basically just pull up , flash my passport and keep going? I've only been to Canada once and that was flying and there was little hassle in customs.

Thoughts on living expense? This is my primary concern. I'll have some cash saved and I would get a job of sorts, but I don't want to spend all my money on staying alive and driving to Vancouver, I'd like to have fun once I'm there.

no idea about the living expenses in bellingham, but here in olympia its cheaper than it was in phoenix, az by about 200-400$ if that gives you any idea...

My girl and I went hunting for an apartment. Most everything is 600-800 a month, everything was nice though.

Jobs are everywhere. Yatamo engines(if ur into cars) is a good employer, I worked there for awhile, but too many hours (i didnt want a transfer to a different department).

Its a good place to live, ALOT of hot girls (bagged myself a hottie) theres a few FD's running around up here (including mine) alot of nice people.

For driving accross the boarder, its not too bad. sometimes there can be long lines, but most of the time, you pull up, they ask a couple questions, like what your reason is for going over and where your going etc. you flash teh passport and your on your way. so not too bad.

CJG

Just so you know Bellingham is a VERRRRRRY LIBERAL LEFT WING TOWN. Just thought I'd let you know incase it was an issue for you. I am very consevitave right wing, and I love the town, so it's not really an issue unless you get into it. It is a really fun town and it is the fastest growning town in Washington. (My bro works for DOT)

Gosh some of the posts in this thread crack me up.

My little sister lives in b-ham. I think that she live with 4 other girls and pays 250 a month + utilities. Not bad at all.

Rx7weee, you are correct a lot of women to see. So that is great for that.

there was a pretty good article in outside magazine this last year, naming b-ham as a top 10 place to live. you could prob dig it up online somewhere, if i can find it. I'll post a link
(as soon as I get un lazy)

there ya go:

http://outside.away.com/outside/dest...109towns_2.adp

If you don't mind having college roommates Bellingham is CHEAP! I spent 3 years there for college. I shared a 3 story house with 3 guys. Rent was $230 a month. That is CHEAP, especially for a CITY in washington.

It's alright. about 17-20 minutes freeway driving to Blaine border crossings. I actually live in Lynden. If you like to drive, there are alotta good roads in the surrounding mountains too.

Thanks for the advice so far, if I do this it looks like Bellingham would be the best fit for me. It doesn't seem like the drive to Vancouver would be too awful and the town sounds pretty neat overall.

I'm also kicking around the possibility of actually living in Vancouver, but that is a little more involved since its a different country.

Zach