Tell me about Newport Hills. (Bellevue, Renton: HOA, houses, neighborhood) - Seattle area - Washington (WA) -Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

Just-Mom · 08-09-2012, 06:00 PM

Hello everyone! Can you please give me some info on Newport Hills in Bellevue, Wa. I have found a few houses I like in the area. We have three kids under 8. I drove by and saw there is a local swim and tennis club. Are there young families in this neighborhood? I am really loving the neighborhood's proximity to the freeways and shopping. Most of the houses have large yards. The houses are in the Renton School District, but our kids attend private school. We are not looking to be in the high end area of Bellevue. We are looking to give our children a balanced life with exposure to diversity in ethnicity and incomes. Please tell me the good and the bad. I really appreciate it.

Thank you!

Seacove · 08-09-2012, 06:26 PM

Older split level homes built in the 60s owned mostly by retirees. Big yards but when I last saw the homes they mostly needed updating, very dated finishes with things like chiclet small tile entries, pink bathrooms and such. As an investment, I would think the homes are great because the location is so good and the yards are large by today's standards.

It's close to Lake Washington and the boat launch is right by there. Factoria Mall is close by and there's a thread about that on this page. Factoria Mall is full of discount stores and apparently a Walmart is coming there. In my mind, that would be the biggest risk to home values. Maybe it's just me but I've never seen a Walmart improve a neighborhood. It totally does not go with Bellevue and I'm amazed they approved it. I haven't been over there in a long while but there used to be a market and a full service gas station which is so rare as to be extinct anymore.

Ira500 · 08-09-2012, 07:07 PM

I like Newport Hills.
Pluses: I like the 50's-60's style of houses common there. Some of them have been fixed up/updated, and some need some help. The houses often have tall ceilings and large windows. It's a pretty area, and safe. Big trees, and a nice feel.
Pretty convenient location, yet out of the way. Big yards. Has a library branch.
Cons: The small retail district at 119th is a shadow of it's former self. The supermarket is closed, and you'd need to go to Factoria for food shopping. Not too far, but not something you'd want to walk home from with groceries. There's an OK tavern with decent food, but the pharmacy and supermarket are gone. No places to go hang out.

Seacove · 08-09-2012, 07:17 PM

The market's gone? Is it empty now or did something else move in there?

Ira500 · 08-09-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seacove

The market's gone? Is it empty now or did something else move in there?

It's empty. That little mall is like a ghost town.

Just-Mom · 08-09-2012, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the info. I drove by that depressing shopping center today. It had me worried. A perfect spot for a new Trader Joes!! Most of the houses that I would want have already be remodeled, they just need some personalization, or some yard work.

Are there families with small children? For the price and promixity to the freeways and commuting it seems great. I think the Newcastle shopping area isn't very far either.

I am really excited about the lot size. Everything that is a new build is on a postage size stamp lot.

Is there an HOA? Just curious.

I appreciate the information!

Thank you.

Seacove · 08-09-2012, 07:32 PM

I bet there's not an HOA but Ira would know. That makes me sad about that market and all, it was pretty homey years ago. A Trader Joes would be perfect there. I'm sure there are families there, I would swear there was an elementary school right there and a YMCA down the hill.

Hemlock140 · 08-09-2012, 08:57 PM

A lot of the families there have kids heading off to college, and retirees have stayed due to the prices dropping so have not yet been replaced by people with kids. Other than the lack of shopping the hill can be nasty on those few snow days. I doubt Trader Joe's would go in there as it's not really enough people to support it, and they are putting one not that far away near Target in Issaquah. Probably will close the small one by Costco.

Just-Mom · 08-09-2012, 09:05 PM

Thanks for the info Hemlock. They are closing the trader joes by Costco. Just wishful thinking they would put one there.

we used to live in Snoqualmie Ridge years ago, so a few bad snow days are ok with me!

Thanks for the info!

Ira500 · 08-09-2012, 10:17 PM

Newport Hillls does not have an HOA. There is a tennis and swim club, which people in the neighborhood are eligible to pay for and join. There's a nearby YMCA, so there must be some kids around.