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HAPPY VALLEY: Finding a balance with a wide mix
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| The Whatcom Transit Authority bus stop outside Happy Valley Elementary School was painted by Western Washington University students in 2003 and depicts what the community means to people. RACHEL E. BAYNE HERALD PHOTO
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Kira Millage
College students and the elderly, families and bachelors, homes and apartment buildings, residential and commercial - this densely populated neighborhood is incredibly diverse.
Smaller homes are positioned closely together on smaller lots and large apartment complexes surround Western Washington University's campus. Many of the larger houses have been converted into duplexes and one portion rented out to college students. Families live here too, sending their children to the three public schools in the neighborhood: Larrabee and Happy Valley Elementary Schools, and Sehome High School.
A large section of the neighborhood is reserved as the Connelly Creek Nature Area, and the Connelly Creek trail runs the length of the neighborhood.
The Fairhaven business district is close by, and Sehome Village and the Viking Plaza provide many shopping amenities. Some businesses line Old Fairhaven Parkway and spread into the Happy Valley neighborhood. People walk around the neighborhood, although many of the streets do not have sidewalks.
Average age: 35.5 Housing units: 3,078 Assessed median home value: $105,910 Median home size: 1,242 square feet Schools: Happy Valley /Larrabee Elementary, Fairhaven Middle School, Sehome High School Shopping: Sehome Village shopping center; several restaurants, hotels and mini-marts on Samish Way. Nearest major grocer is Haggen at Sehome Village Parks: Happy Valley Park, Connelly Creek Nature Area and Trail Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Jeff Sawyer On the Web: www.hvna.info City Council members: Terry Bornemann, Barbara Ryan Police calls in 2003: 1,842 Residential burglaries: 39 Vehicle prowls: 165 Population of neighborhood: 5,755
JEFF GLOVER Age: 24
Lives on: 23rd St.
Lived here: 2 1/2 years
Lives with: His girlfriend
What he does: Math teacher at Squalicum High School
Why did you move to the area? "Originally it was close to the university and the price was definitely right: cheap. That was the main reason and we ended up kind of staying in Bellingham, and it was just really affordable and all our stuff was here."
What do you like about the neighborhood? "It's kind of fun being around a bunch of other students and it's close to a lot of things. It's close to downtown, close to grocery stores, and it's close to Fairhaven, which is kind of nice."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "Well, it's called Happy Valley, which is kind of unique. If you're in the right part of town, you can see the bay, you can see Blanchard Mountain, you can see Sehome Hill."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'A neighbor in need is well taken care of'
- KIRA MILLAGE
DUNHAM GOODING
Age: Over 50
Lives on: 24th Street
Lived here: 28 years
Lives with: Wife
What he does: President of American Alpine Institute
Why did you choose to live here? "The neighbors we've had here are resourceful and ingenious people who have led really interesting lives. A neighbor in need is well taken care of. Their skills also translate into informal teaching."
What was your favorite neighborhood moment? "When the Happy Valley neighborhood plan was accepted by the city council. There's a real clear sense of community and it really came out when we were doing the neighborhood plan. It took a long time, partly because a lot people participated."
Are there any amenities in the neighborhood you take advantage of? "The trails. We've got Connelly Creek Trail and the Interurban Trail right there."
- KIRA MILLAGE
ERIN DOMMES
Age: 25
Lives on: 20th street
Lived here: 2 1/2 years
What she does: Co-manages Express at Bellis Fair
Why do you like the neighborhood? "I like the area because when you get farther away from campus, across town by the mall, there's a lot more traffic. In my particular apartment, we have a great view. We live on the top floor. It looks out over the whole neighborhood and Mount Baker."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "Obviously, there are a lot more students there than in other areas in Bellingham, because you're right next to campus. Most who live there are students."
Why did you move there? "I was looking for an apartment and I had a friend who was in that building. It was a walk to campus and at other places I was looking at, I had to take the bus. It was more convenient for not that much more money."
- MARY LANE GALLAGHER
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