Fairhaven vs. Columbia vs. Sehome: Which Bellingham Neighborhood Fits You?
Three walkable, historic neighborhoods that get compared constantly. Here's how they actually differ in price, housing stock, and daily life.
Fairhaven
The village feel, the ferry terminal, the boardwalk. Prices run highest of the three — expect $750k–$1.3M for a detached home — and inventory is thin. Best for people who want to walk to dinner and don't mind paying for it.
Columbia
Grid streets, big trees, and the most consistent craftsman housing stock in the city. $600k–$900k. Walkable to downtown and Whatcom Falls; the neighborhood most Seattle relocators end up loving once they see it.
Sehome
Hillside lots, WWU next door, and homes ranging from student rentals to immaculate tudors. $550k–$850k. More variation street to street than the other two — Irena will tell you which blocks feel like which.
How to choose
Spend a Saturday morning in each. Then tell Irena what you liked; she'll show you the homes in that neighborhood that match your budget and the ones nearby you haven't considered.
