Luanne Highlander

I discovered Sudden Valley in 1990. I was living in the rural Whatcom County growing organic raspberries for a few years, and after getting the “Green Acres” lifestyle out of my system, went looking for a place with both elbowroom and neighbors.  Happily, I discovered this magical community and lived there for the next 13 years. This is not just for the retirement set, but I can’t think of a better place to retire for those who love nature and also an active lifestyle.   Sudden Valley is located on the Southwest shore of Lake Whatcom-the fourth largest lake in Washington State . It is approximately 1500 acres and was originally designed as a resort and vacation community, populated mostly by Canadians in the Vancouver B.C. area. In those early days (1969) there was an airstrip for small planes, which has now been given to groves of alder trees.

Moving on to the other aspects of this magical place, let’s talk about the other recreational opportunities. Sudden Valley Live Theater Performances. Cast calls for various performances are on-going and all of Bellingham is invited to see them. A fine art show featuring local artists is also an annual event in one of the three recreational buildings (Barns). There is also a large outdoor pool which is open all summer and an adult center with fitness room, sauna or area for those who want to kick back and play a favorite card game with friends. Tennis courts can be found in several locations along the lake as well and are open all year.

Restaurants in the community are a local Italian restaurant called Tony’s, a deli for a quick bite at the Valley Store, or a casual meal with stunning views of the front 9 of Sudden Valley Golf Course and Lake Whatcom at Bob’s Burgers and Brew, a local chain which offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with Sunday brunches. Local musicians can been seen at night in the Cheer’s Bar/Sports Bar within the restaurant. This friendly gathering spot is a great place to talk over the golf game and hosts tournaments regularly. I almost forgot… downstairs, adjacent to the Pro-Shop is another snack shop for cleat-wearing patrons. Stop by and see Greg Paul for lessons and information about green fees. He is the local golf pro and shop owner. Real Estate in the area is priced slightly less than the city limits of Bellingham . Condos and homes with views of the lake, golf course and large evergreens make this a lovely and serene location to call home. Condominiums start in the low $200,000 range with views of the golf course and lakes, homes with views start in the mid to upper-$300,000 range. There are many areas with entrances called ‘Gates’ so be sure to get a realtor or a friend who knows the area to show you around. It is easy to get lost if you are unfamiliar with the many streets and Gates. Gates 1 & 2 are adjacent to Lake Whatcom , Lake Louise and most of the recreational areas. Gates 3, 5, 9, and 11 are in the more wooded areas. As with most areas throughout the US , it is a buyer’s market and a great time to purchase your retirement home. There are also a few lake view lots for sale, most of these lots are priced between $150,000-$300,000. Forested lots can be purchased for $50,000 to $100,000 and for the most part, are all serviced with city utilities. Some areas in the woods rely on propane for cooking and heating. There are just a few water view lots left and these have a bit of slope to them. Builders in Sudden Valley tell me costs to build remain at about $135-$200 per sq. foot, and fortunately we have many good quality craftsman in the area to create your dream home. We also have Green Built homes and home builders here.