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SOUTH HILL: Sweeping view from classic homes
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| Taylor Avenue (right) and Bennet Avenue rise away from Bellingham Bay in the South Hill neighborhood. RACHEL E. BAYNE HERALD PHOTO
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Kira Millage
Situated between Western Washington University and Bellingham Bay, the South Hill neighborhood boasts some of the more elegant historic homes in Bellingham, as well as schools and churches.
At the northern edge are a few college rentals, but most of the neighborhood consists of quiet, family homes with sweeping views of the bay. Because of its proximity to the university, many WWU professors call this neighborhood home.
The neighborhood is lined with sidewalks, and people can be seen out walking at any time of the day. Small, sloping yards boast colorful flower gardens because there isn't enough room to do much of anything else with them. At the top of the hill are some more secluded homes set in the woods. Driving in the neighborhood can be difficult due to the very steep and narrow roads.
Along the water's edge is Boulevard Park, one of the city's most popular parks. A long strip of grass with trails leading to and from it, Boulevard Park is popular for sports, sun bathing, fishing, art and walking.
Lowell Elementary School is also in the neighborhood, making walking to school possible. Although there aren't many businesses in South Hill, the Fairhaven business district is just to the south, and downtown isn't far to the north.
Average age: 37 Housing units: 1,458 Assessed median home value: $206,350 Median home size: 1,637 square feet Schools: Lowell Elementary, Fairhaven Middle School, Sehome High School Shopping: Fairhaven Business District has shops, restaurants and galleries, plus Red Apple Market on 12th Street; Sehome Village, downtown Bellingham are nearby Parks: Boulevard Park, South Bay Trail, Taylor Street Dock, Forest and Cedar Park Mayor's Advisory Committee member: Donna Auer On the Web: shna.ws City Council member: Terry Bornemann Police calls in 2003: 498 Residential burglaries: 23 Vehicle prowls: 42 Population of neighborhood: 3,249
TIM CRANDALL Age: 43
Lives on: 12th Street
Lived here: 4 years
Lives with: His wife Wendy, their four daughters and their female cat. "I'm seriously outnumbered."
What he does: Works as a project manager for a company based in Canada and as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
Why do you like the neighborhood? "Because we're so close to so many services, we tend to walk a lot, more than we did in other places we've lived. We often run into our neighbors while we're out and can spend a few minutes catching up on things that are happening in our lives."
Why did you move there? "We moved to the South Hill area to be close to Lowell Elementary School, our church, and the Fairhaven Library. We love that we can walk to all these places and also to the market and all the shops in Fairhaven."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'Living on a hill gives you some unique perspectives'
SCOTT HIGHLEYMAN
Age: 44
Lives on: 16th Street
Lived here: 4 years
Lives with: His wife Emily and their three children, as well as one dog, one rabbit and two gerbils
What he does: An environmental consultant working on projects to protect oceans and forests
Why do you like the neighborhood? "It's a mix of old and new houses with sidewalks on most streets so people can actually get out and walk around the block and interact with each other."
What makes your neighborhood unique? "Living on a hill gives you some unique perspectives and access. From the top of the hill you can look down onto the bay in one direction and Mount Baker in the other."
What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "Heavy snowfall shutting down the streets and bringing out all the kids and adults to sled down Taylor Avenue."
KRISTINE SMITH
Age: 38
Lives on: North Forest Street
Lived here: 10 years
Lives with: Her husband Jeff and their children, Maya, 6, and Reed, 4
What she does: Stay-at-home mom and board member of Reed's co-op preschool
Why do you like the neighborhood? "The community is probably the first thing. We have lots of families with young children."
What's your favorite neighborhood moment? "On our street it seems like if there's someone standing on the sidewalk, talking to another neighbor, that's sort of the green flag to say, 'There's a social moment.' "
What's the biggest thing that's happened there? "Taylor Dock. It's a new running route and walking route. Just the other day, I met some friends at Boulevard Park and had an errand to run in Fairhaven. The kids and I just walked. It adds so much to be able to be close to the water."
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