Section Image

Samish

Samish

Neighborhood in Bellingham, Washington

Whatcom County 98229

$951,628 Average Value
$434 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

Scenic neighborhood near mountain and lakeside trails

Located on the outskirts of Bellingham, Samish includes the massive Lake Padden Park, which features an 18-hole golf course and miles of lakeside trails. Homes here sit on quarter-acre lots or higher elevations with views of Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands. Interstate 5 forms the neighborhood's western border, creating noise problems for neighbors living nearby. “You get more bang for your buck than on the west side of the freeway,” says Julian Friedman, owner and real estate agent with Julian & Company, of the Muljat Group. “It’s not cheap by any means, but you get more house for your money than in Fairhaven or Edgemoor, plus you have access to a lot of the natural beauty that people come to Bellingham for.” Samish is purely residential, with no mixed-use commercial space. Shopping and restaurants are only a few miles away, but locals do have to cross the highway to get there.

Ranch-style and Modern Craftsman-style homes on quarter-acre lots

Most of the housing in Samish was built on the neighborhood’s west side, along narrow sidewalk-less streets running parallel to the freeway. Minimal Traditional ranch-style homes, bi-levels and bungalows from the 1970s and ‘80s are most common, usually set on quarter-acre lots with vinyl siding and shingle-tile roofs. Modern Craftsman-style properties built in the 2010s have covered front porches supported by stone pillars and prominent two-car garages. Quarter-acre lots are uncommon in many other parts of Bellingham, especially the core neighborhoods close to downtown. “There’s not a lot of wide-open spaces in Bellingham,” says Sally Farrell, Bellingham native and real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Bayside Realty. “Samish is one of the only places with more space. There’s lots of big, beautiful homes on large lots.” Three-bedroom ranch-style homes can sell for between $550,000 and $750,000, while larger four-bedroom Modern Craftsman-style homes go for $750,000 to $1 million. Five-bedroom properties on lots larger than a half-acre can cost as much as $1.5 million. Neighborhoods near the freeway have the most noise, while homes on the east side have bay views because of higher elevation.

Your dream home awaits in the sought-after enclave of Samish.
Your dream home awaits in the sought-after enclave of Samish.
Create lasting memories in this inviting Samish property.
Create lasting memories in this inviting Samish property.
1/2

Drama program and other after-school clubs at Bellingham schools

Local kids may attend Wade King Elementary School, rated B by Niche. After school, students can attend PTA-organized activities, including coding and robotics, chess and mountain biking clubs. After that, students can move on to the B-rated Kulshan Middle, which offers improv and Pokemon clubs and seasonal athletic programs like track and field and volleyball. The A-rated Sehome High, which moved to a newly constructed building in 2019, has an extensive drama department that started staging musicals and plays in the 1960s.

Kulshan Middle School provides excellent education and prepares students for High School.
Kulshan Middle School provides excellent education and prepares students for High School.
Sehome High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
Sehome High School prepares students for graduation and beyond.
1/2

Interstate 5 runs south to Seattle

Samish is bordered on the west by Interstate 5, which extends north 43 miles to the Canadian Border and south 90 miles to Seattle. Whatcom Transportation Authority’s Route 533 bus loops around the neighborhood's perimeter and takes passengers 3 miles to downtown Bellingham. Peace Health Saint Joseph Medical Center, the town's only major hospital, is about 6 miles away, while Bellingham International Airport is about 9 miles away.

Restaurants and grocery stores a few miles away in Sehome

Samish is removed from most of the city’s commercial spaces; the nearest Haggen supermarket is about 2 miles away in Sehome Village. Locally owned restaurants in Sehome include casual eateries like Blue Fin Sushi, a local favorite for bento boxes with over 60 sushi variations to choose from. Tandoori Bites serves authentic Indian cuisine with a full-service bar and offers catering and takeout options.

Enjoy delicious Thai food with excellent service at Busara Thai Cuisine in Samish.
Enjoy delicious Thai food with excellent service at Busara Thai Cuisine in Samish.
For grocery needs and more, Samish residents head to Haggen.
For grocery needs and more, Samish residents head to Haggen.
1/2

Trails and boat launch points at Lake Padden Park

Samish is on the city's outskirts, close to all the outdoor activities and athletics Bellingham is known for. Lake Padden Park is a sprawling 745-acre facility encompassing miles of lakeside and forested hiking and horseback riding trails. The park also has a disc golf course, pickleball courts and a boat launch point that allows for paddleboarding and canoeing. Lake Padden Golf Course takes up 205 acres of the park, with 18 holes across rolling grassy hills. Samish is also close to nearby mountains. “This is a major area for mountain biking, and Samish is very close to that,” says Farrell. Galbraith Mountain has over 70 miles of trails overlooking Bellingham Bay.

Meet up with friends or a special someone for a lovely walk at Lake Padden Park in Samish.
Meet up with friends or a special someone for a lovely walk at Lake Padden Park in Samish.
Lake Padden Park in Samish is the perfect spot for all water sport activities.
Lake Padden Park in Samish is the perfect spot for all water sport activities.
1/2

Competing in the annual Padden Triathlon

Bellingham’s outdoorsy spirit is on display at the annual Padden Triathlon. Held every June at Lake Padden Park, the three-leg race has two distance options: a competitive track that takes about three hours to complete and a shorter recreational track that is about half as long. Spectators can watch from the sidelines as hundreds of competitors race to the finish line.

Andi Sink
Written By
Andi Sink
Jake Chaplin
Photography Contributed By
Jake Chaplin
Luke Basinger
Video By
Luke Basinger

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cherie Kukhahn, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bellingham International

13 min drive

Bus

Samish Way & Evergreen Motel

Bus

Lincoln Creek Park & Ride

Bus

Samish Way & Yew St

Bus

Samish Way & Cody Ave

Bus

Samish Way & Taylor Ave

Bus

Samish Way & 40th St

Bus

Samish Way & Lindsay Ave

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Samish US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 6 4
Assault with Weapon 3 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 6 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$990,000
Median Single Family Price
$975,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$434
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
49
Months of Supply
1.20
Median List Price
$997,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
21%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,336
Median Year Built
1994
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,161
Above the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
948
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
551
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890

Open Houses

  • Friday, Apr 25
    2 - 6pm

    1501 Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98229

    $649,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,856 Sq Ft
    • 1501 Samish Way
    • New 1 day ago

    Million-dollar views for only $649K. Vintage 70's 3bed/2bath home w/solid bones but in need of cosmetic TLC. West facing home on a landscaped 1/3-acre. Garden spot, fruit trees & fully fenced backyard. The home does have a newer roof. Basement is set up as a MIL suite w/a separate outside entrance & garage. Has been rented out in the past. Panoramic views of Puget Sound from both levels. Huge

    Dan Pittsenbarger Keller Williams Western Realty

    Section Image
  • Saturday, Apr 26
    11am - 1pm

    4204 Harrison St, Bellingham, WA 98229

    $525,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,170 Sq Ft
    • 4204 Harrison St
    • New 1 day ago

    Incredible chance for homeownership in the highly coveted Samish neighborhood! 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home on a shy 1/2 acre lot! Close to Lake Padden, Galbraith Mountain & southside parks & trails - plus near I-5, WWU, downtown & Fairhaven. Solid recent improvements includes newer roof, high-efficiency furnace, and updated windows. Bring your vision inside & remodel to create instant sweat equity.

    Gerry Santillan John L. Scott Bellingham

    Section Image
  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1:30 - 3:30pm

    900 40th St, Bellingham, WA 98229

    $740,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,862 Sq Ft
    • 900 40th St
    • New 3 days ago

    Welcome to 900 40th Street in the Ridgemont subdivision of Bellingham’s Samish neighborhood! This mostly original 1970s split-level home offers 3 bedrooms, 2.25 bathrooms, and peek-a-boo views of Bellingham Bay. Enjoy a flexible layout, spacious deck, a fully fenced backyard, attached 2-car garage, and mature landscaping. Move in and embrace its retro charm or remodel to make it your own. Located

    George Geer Coldwell Banker Bain

    Section Image

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Cherie Kukhahn, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
4,173
Median Age
40
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$111,197
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$132,184

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.1%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
59%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.3%
% Population in Labor Force
62.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
34''
Average Winter Low Temperature
34°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
2''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

29 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

17 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

31 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Samish neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Samish