Retire Here, Not There: Bellingham, for the left-leaning sportsman

Whether it's skiing or whale-watching, hiking or fishing, experts say retirees can find it in Bellingham, which is nestled between the Puget Sound on the west and Mt. Baker on the east. Mt. Baker, which is a little over an hour from Bellingham, has 38 trails, gets more than 700 inches of snow on average per year and accommodates all levels of skiers. The San Juan Islands, which are just a short ferry ride from Bellingham, are a huge draw as well. These islands are known for their whale-watching (three orca pods are frequent summer visitors) and kayaking.