Happy Valley
The Happy Valley neighborhood is one of the most popular in Bellingham, and it has even more room to grow. Its 6,000 residents range from students to retirees and everyone in between.
Happy Valley lies between Fairhaven, South Hill, South Bellingham, and Western Washington University. Near the college, apartment complexes abound. Many of these were built in the sixties, seventies, and eighties, but even more are in the works to accommodate the growing university. Further south, homes range from gorgeous, older, well-landscaped homes to cute, recently developed duplexes. All of the neighborhoods are quite safe and are within walking distance of Fairhaven and shopping.
Much of that shopping can be done in Sehome Village on the corner of Bill McDonald Parkway and Samish Road. There, outdoorsy residents can shop at REI, students can find cheap textbooks at the College Store, coffee drinkers (i.e. almost all Northwesterners) can spend the evening relaxing at Starbucks, and night owls can do their grocery shopping at the 24-hour Haggen.
Happy Valley residents are at no shortage of restaurants within walking distance, either. Pho 99 offers a comfortable environment and delicious Vietnamese food, and Espinoza's is popular for their impressive salsa bar. Robek's, a new health food store, sells smoothies, sandwiches, and more.
For those who want to cook themselves, Joe's Garden grows the freshest produce in town. The garden sells everything from flowers to berries to peas, and it even has a cookbook dedicated to local recipes.
Schools and parks provide Happy Valley with plenty of recreational space. Sehome High School has several tennis courts, a baseball field, and a track commonly used by the public. Happy Valley Elementary School is great for children with a playground and enormous field for football games. The Connelly Creek Nature Area is a natural oasis less than a mile from I-5, and Happy Valley Park is a peaceful escape from those long days.
Visit the Happy Valley Neighborhood Web Page: www.hvna.info