Affinity at Bellingham

Pros

• Residents appreciate the responsive and friendly management team at Affinity at Bellingham, contributing to a pleasant living environment.
• The facility is praised for its cleanliness and well-maintained amenities, creating an inviting atmosphere for residents.
• Many enjoy the variety of community activities and social events that foster a strong sense of belonging among residents.
• The apartments are updated regularly with new paint and carpeting, ensuring a fresh living space for each resident.
• Residents value the convenience of having utilities included in their rent, allowing for hassle-free living.
• The community feels vibrant and lively, with residents engaging in self-organized activities that enhance their quality of life.
• Overall satisfaction is highlighted by long-term residents who express happiness with their living experience at Affinity at Bellingham.

Cons

• The waiting list at Affinity at Bellingham operates on a first-come, first-served basis, causing frustration for potential residents who may miss out due to missed emails.
• The lack of meal services is a significant drawback for some individuals, as the community requires residents to cook their own meals.
• Since the pandemic, many amenities have been suspended, and management appears to be cutting costs by limiting offerings like Happy Hours and holiday potlucks.
• There have been complaints about maintenance issues, with broken equipment and facilities that took too long to repair or remain unfixed.
• The increase in charges for additional residents in a unit has left some feeling dissatisfied with the value provided.
• Some units are perceived as too expensive for prospective tenants, leading to disappointment in finding affordable options.
• There are concerns about management's responsiveness regarding resident needs following the return of amenities post-pandemic.

Review

Affinity at Bellingham has been a residence that many have come to appreciate for its blend of independence, community, and comprehensive amenities. With over five years as a resident, one individual noted their satisfaction with the pleasant neighbors and the autonomy afforded by the living arrangements. This independent living facility is designed primarily for seniors and boasts a range of services managed largely by its residents themselves. The management team has received significant praise, particularly for their responsiveness and professionalism; residents can often expect same-day service from the maintenance team when issues arise. Cleanliness is prioritized throughout common areas, ensuring that spaces remain inviting and well-maintained even during challenging times like the COVID pandemic.

Despite its many strengths, Affinity at Bellingham does have some aspects that may not appeal to everyone. A significant barrier for potential residents like one reviewer’s sister was the requirement to prepare their own meals—a factor that led her to favor communities offering more comprehensive dining options. While Affinity fosters an active lifestyle with organized activities such as movie nights, happy hours, and clubs—like woodworking—some feel that the lack of on-site meal services detracts from what could be an even more appealing atmosphere.

On a brighter note, those who have toured Affinity generally express admiration for its facilities. Apartments are refurbished thoroughly between tenants with fresh paint and new carpeting, contributing to an overall clean and contemporary environment. Common amenities also seem impressive: features like a saltwater pool, hot tub, game rooms with pool tables and soccer board tables create a vibrant social hub for residents seeking entertainment. The presence of friendly staff further enhances this sense of community; visitors frequently comment on how engaging and supportive staff members are during tours.

However, some residents have raised concerns regarding changes in amenities due to economic constraints identified by management. Since 2019 there have been additional charges added per person in units intended for two occupants. Following pandemic-related suspensions of various activities—like fitness classes or Friday happy hours—there exists apprehension among residents about ongoing access to these cherished features as management communicates limitations based on costs rather than reinstating services integral to community life.

Nevertheless, many current residents attest to enjoying their time at Affinity due purely to affordability.relative ease of living within this well-managed environment. Utilities—including electricity and water—are conveniently bundled into rent payments allowing attendees less hassle associated with managing multiple bills while still enjoying numerous recreational opportunities available on-site without needing off-location memberships.

Overall impressions highlight how important it is for potential new Residents like oneself or family members looking into communal living arrangements state preferences about cooking services when deciding where they might thrive best socially or financially given location preferences . It’s clear from varied experiences shared amongst reviewers that Affinity promotes an uplifting neighborhood atmosphere filled with warm hearts aimed towards recreation amongst older generations seeking companionship—all while maintaining independence through self-management principles across multiple facets within shared living spaces!

Pharmacies

• Hoagland Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• Haggen Food Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Haggen Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Can Drug USA (0.7 miles)
• Hoagland LTC Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Hi-School Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Rx Mart Pharmacy (1.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Cruisin Coffee Lakeway (1.5 miles)
• Woods Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Marlins Cafe (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.7 miles)
• Caffe Adagio (1.7 miles)

Restaurants

• MOD Pizza (0.5 miles)
• Jalapeños (0.5 miles)
• Scotty Browns (0.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (1 miles)
• Panda Express (1 miles)
• Jack In The Box (1 miles)
• Applebee's (1 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Barkley Village IMAX & RPX (0.5 miles)

Physicians

• Barkley Boulevard Dental Care (0.6 miles)
• Ingrid Carlson, MD (0.6 miles)
• North Sound Family Medicine (0.6 miles)
• Bellingham Bay Opthalmology (0.6 miles)
• Bellingham OB/GYN (1.3 miles)
• Dr Lisa A Kaepernick, MD (1.3 miles)
• Wakefield, William Dr - Peacehealth Medical Group (1.4 miles)

Parks

• Whatcom Falls Park (1.1 miles)
• Cornwall Park (1.5 miles)
• Broadway Park (1.5 miles)
• Galbraith-Birch St Park-N-Ride (1.6 miles)
• Waypoint Park (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• St Joseph Cancer Center (1.3 miles)
• Bellingham Surgery Center (1.5 miles)
• PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center (1.5 miles)
• Peacehealth St Joseph Child Birth Center (1.5 miles)
• Mount Baker Kidney Center (1.8 miles)
• St Joseph Hospital Center For Rehabilitation (1.9 miles)
• St Joseph Hospital Foundation (1.9 miles)

Transportation

• WTA Bus Stop (1.5 miles)
• WTA Bellingham Station (1.7 miles)