Everson has peaceful living between Bellingham and the North Cascades
In the northwest corner of Washington state, Everson is a small countryside community that offers a peaceful lifestyle on the edge of the North Cascades. “It’s a little bit of a cheaper area. It’s a small town. It’s mostly farms, one grocery store and three or four restaurants,” says Jim Skerjanc, a broker at HomeSmart One Realty with over 30 years of experience. “It’s a great place to have a mini farm and have a horse or two.” Open fields and farms give way to subdivisions and a small downtown on State Route 544. East of the community, the terrain turns rugged as the roads lead towards Mount Baker, the third-tallest mountain in the state. Bellingham is the closest large city, offering shopping, dining, and employment about 16 miles from Everson.
Homes from the early 1900s to the 2020s are available in rural Washington
Everson has a mix of semi-rural and suburban settings. Lots range from tight subdivisions with homes close together to spacious 2 and 3-acre properties. Housing styles include early 20th-century Craftsman and Victorian houses, midcentury ranch-style homes and 21st-century contemporary properties. Some modern townhouses are also available. Because of the nearby Nooksack River, much of the area is prone to flooding, and Skerjanc says many homeowners must purchase flood insurance. Single-family homes can cost between $360,000 and $800,000. Townhouses range from $220,000 to $450,000.
Mountain adventures and city parks in Whatcom County
The North Cascades and Mount Baker have a wide range of recreation east of Everson. Mount Baker Wilderness offers several hiking trails and campgrounds, plus opportunities for hunting and fishing. Mount Baker Ski Area is about 43 miles from Everson and is one of the top-rated ski destinations in the state, due in part to Mount Baker having one of the largest snowpacks on west coast. "One day, the snow lodge got 14 feet of snow from one day to the next. It’s a snowboarder’s paradise up there,” Skerjanc says. Multiple parks within Everson offer recreation closer to home. Riverside Park has two baseball fields, a playground and walking paths to the river. Everson City Park also has a playground, plus basketball and tennis courts. The Nooksack River provides fishing opportunities for species like salmon and steelhead.
Main Street is the place to be for shopping and dining
Main Street in Everson has a few shops and restaurants. “Herb Niemann’s Steak House is a really good steak place. There’s the Smokestack Diner. Most of them are mom-and-pop kinds of places,” Skerjanc says. The steak house serves a variety of meat and seafood, plus schnitzel, in a rustic dining room. Smokestack Diner has traditional breakfast fare and sandwiches for lunch. Groceries are available at Everson Market. Other stores include auto parts shops and a pharmacy. Bellingham is home to big-box stores like Target, Macy’s, Home Depot and Costco.
Nooksack Valley schools offer highly rated education
Everson Elementary School serves the west side of the community and gets a B-minus from Niche, while Nooksack Elementary School serves the east side and is rated a B-plus. Nooksack Middle School earns a B and Nooksack Valley High School receives a B-plus. The high school offers college credit through the Running Start program in collaboration with Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College.
State highways and buses provide transportation around Whatcom County
State Route 544 serves as Main Street in Everson, leading east-west through the region. Bellingham is about 16 miles southwest via State Route 544 and Everson Goshen Road. The Whatcom Transportation Authority operates one bus route in Everson, connecting to Whatcom Community College and the communities of Nooksack and Sumas.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
