Input on Newcastle area (Seattle, Bellevue: for sale, to rent, homes)

[crimson4154]

Anyone have some thoughts on the south east side of Lake Washington? Newcastle? Is the area considered similar to Renton? We're currently looking at Issaquah but I see some homes for sale in this area that are of interest. ALL INPUT appreicated!

[scirocco22]

No, Newcastle is not considered similar to Renton at all. Newcastle is a relatively new city in that it incorporated in 1994. It's a definite bedroom community as there is no real economic base. It's downtown area consists of two strip-mallish shopping centers on the south side of Newcastle Way at its intersection with Coal Creek Pkwy.

Its residential area, however, is considered to be middle-upper class family areas of above-average incomes. No real "low-income" areas per se.

It is much smaller and less established than Renton.

[crimson4154]

Great - and if you were to compare it to Issaquah? Greenbelt access for hiking and mountainbiking? Coffee shops, playgrounds etc? (Will visit in April!)

[scirocco22]

Ah, The only park I can think of off the top of my head in Newcastle is Lake Boren Park (http://www.ci.newcastle.wa.us/ch_cds_pw_pet_parks_Lake_Boren_Park.asp - broken link).

Oh, and the Cougar Mountain reserve (http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/parks/cougarmountain.html - broken link) is close. I think you'll like that park.

Newcastle is quite a bit smaller geographically than Issaquah and is relatively dense in its residential areas.

I think there's a Starbucks in one of those shopping centers I mentioned before.


edit: hah! I guess there's a Starbucks on each side of the Coal Creek Pkwy in those shopping centers... so typical of the Seattle area.

[crimson4154]

As for the Starbucks on each corner... that's just typical Starbucks!! (Same in SoCal!)

[drewba]

Newcastle is a nice area and very conveniently located. It is definitely more upscale than most of Renton. As scirocco pointed out, the Cougar Mountain park is only a few miles north-east of Newcastle and features 36 miles of hiking trails: King County Parks and Recreation Cougar Mountain, Washington (http://www.metrokc.gov/parks/parks/cougarmountain.html - broken link)

If you have children, I'd recommend looking for homes in the Issaquah school district instead of the Renton school district. Unfortunately, it seems that most of Newcastle is in the Renton SD, so that definitely cuts your options.

[MaikeerinWA]

Trust me, you'll see many more Starbucks here than in Socal. One of those Coal Creek Starbucks is in Safeway, I think.

I also like Newcastle's location, but folks may want to note that access to Renton will be cut off on Coal Creek Parkway/Duvall for one year due to construction. It's going to be an issue for those commuting between Renton and Bellevue. More traffic on 405, probably.

It's sad to see all those trees coming down along this pretty thoroughfare, but it's the price of progress and growth, I guess. Hopefully Newcastle is preserving some of the land.

Originally Posted by crimson4154

As for the Starbucks on each corner... that's just typical Starbucks!! (Same in SoCal!)

[Pittgal]

Originally Posted by drewba

If you have children, I'd recommend looking for homes in the Issaquah school district instead of the Renton school district. Unfortunately, it seems that most of Newcastle is in the Renton SD, so that definitely cuts your options.

Yes, I'd only live there too if it the part that is in Issaquah SD! Good Luck!!

[crimson4154]

Great input - I do have 2 kids under 2 so schools will become increasingly important in the coming years. Thanks!!

[wsugrad03]

Newcastle has some great areas to live, and the best views in the region if you have the $$$. The homes in Newport Hills area are a bit older and, on average, they're about 100K more than your typical home in Renton, so it's kinda expensive. The true gem neighborhoods in Newcastle are the more northern parts like Somerset and Lakemont, although part of these areas are technically considered Bellevue and are uber expensive. Scirocco is right in saying that it's basically a bedroom community. Not a whole lot of business infrastructure, which is why the city sustains itself off of property taxes.