This valley might not have happened suddenly, but the town sure did. It was a place simply called "the Ranch" until it was developed as a master-planned private community in the 1970s. Fans of the television comedy Arrested Development will recognize the name -- Sudden Valley is what the Bluth Company called their flagship development project.
The former ranch set in the hills along the southwest shores of Washington's Lake Whatcom is now a fairly secluded private area that is overseen by a homeowner's association
This valley might not have happened suddenly, but the town sure did. It was a place simply called "the Ranch" until it was developed as a master-planned private community in the 1970s. Fans of the television comedy Arrested Development will recognize the name -- Sudden Valley is what the Bluth Company called their flagship development project.
The former ranch set in the hills along the southwest shores of Washington's Lake Whatcom is now a fairly secluded private area that is overseen by a homeowner's association. With the lake to the northwest and forested hills to the south and west, there's not much really close by to disturb that seclusion. If you're looking for a town with a happening nightlife, this isn't it! Of course, the much bigger city of Bellingham borders Sudden Valley to the northwest and it's just a hop, skip, and jump across the border to Vancouver, British Columbia. A little bit more than a hop -- about 90 minutes -- to the south and you are in Seattle. Close to 7,000 people call this peaceful little burg home. Whether lakeside or in the hills, this is an idyllic place to settle.
Moving to Sudden Valley
It's not an incorporated town, but a census designated place that is its own entity. The homeowner's association has rules and regulations governing the entire community. For some, that serves as a guarantee of a lifestyle that is free from some hassles and the backbone of a thriving town. For others, it's more like a unneeded constraint. It's important to know what's best for you before deciding to settle in Sudden Valley. Once you have decided to move here, make a list of available properties and go through it methodically, looking for townhouses or apartments for rent. There are also usually several single family homes on the market. Be prepared to pony up your first and last month's rent, and a security deposit and a good credit report will more than likely be required. With some forethought and a smidge of proactive planning, you can land your perfect pad.
Sudden Valley Neighborhoods
It's more a single community than a collection of distinct neighborhoods, but there are parts of the town that have different features than others. Near Lake Whatcom are homes with backyards that border the water. Some even boast boat docks. Further inland, the streets start to weave up the slight hillsides, with green space and a golf course in the mix.
East and west of the main drag: For descriptive purposes, you could divide the town into two sections on either side of Lake Whatcom Boulevard. To the west are the homes with larger lots that are in heavily wooded areas. You aren't likely to find a studio for rent up here unless it's in a larger house. On the east side are the homes close to the water and those that are on the golf course. The much smaller Lake Louise is at the south end and the marina at Dutch Harbor is at the north.
Living in Sudden Valley
This entire region is one of the most vibrant anywhere when it comes to outdoor recreation and the grandeur that is the Pacific Northwest. In town, there isn't much in the way of recreation as it's almost completely residential. That said, nearby Bellingham has great eateries like Cafe Rumba or Old World Deli, both of which are on State Street. The magnificent Puget Sound and San Juan Islands beg to be explored. You can catch a ferry ride out of Bellingham that goes all the way to Ketchikan, Alaska. For a city experience that's part Pacific Northwest and part European, a day trip to Vancouver fits the bill. The weather is generally mild with little snow in the winter but a lot of rain, while summers are simply awesome.
