Meridian

Meridian is the neighborhood Bellingham locals love to complain about — and then drive to every weekend. It is, frankly, the strip. Guide Meridian Road is lined with the same big-box retailers, chain restaurants, and parking lots you would find on any American commercial corridor. It is the antithesis of Bellingham’s carefully cultivated indie-town identity, and that tension is part of what defines it.

Bellis Fair and Reinvention

But Meridian matters. Bellis Fair Mall has had a fascinating recent arc. After its previous owners defaulted on a $77 million loan, new owners bought it for $44 million in 2022 and have been reimagining it with local tenants: Bellingham MakerSpace, a wrestling academy, an intergenerational high school, and a planned library branch. The 18-hole disc golf course at Bellis Fairways, which opened in 2023, is a genuinely fun addition.

Living in Meridian

Living in Meridian means accepting a tradeoff: everything you need is within a five-minute drive, but the streetscape is not inspiring. The residential areas are tucked behind the commercial strips and tend to be more affordable than Bellingham’s walkable neighborhoods. For families who prioritize convenience and short commutes over walkability and charm, Meridian is practical.