City of Newcastle & Newcastle Real Estate

Newcastle is located between Lake Washington to the west and Cougar Mountain to the east, making it perfectly situated to take advantage of the local outdoor recreation opportunities. The town is less than 5 square miles and this compact size is one of the reasons residents feel such a sense of community and civic pride. Newcastle has made the list of best places to live by a number of national publications. Combining the convenience and choices of urban living with the comfort and friendliness of a small town, Newcastle gives its residents the opportunity to commute easily for work and return to their close-knit community.

The diversity of the population living in Newcastle makes it a great place to live. A spirit of volunteerism is evident everywhere and local projects have become a city-side effort. Because of the size of the city staff, this is especially important to keep the quality of life maintained.

History

The city of Newcastle was named after Newcastle upon Tyne in England. First settle as Newport Hills, Newcastle did not get its official name until it was incorporated in 1994 and the name was changed. Newcastle was originally settled as a coal mining town in the 1870s when coal was discovered along Coal Creek in 1863. By 1872, over a hundred tons of coal was being produced each day and 60 men worked in the local mines.

The Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad, the first railroad in King County, reached Newcastle from Seattle in 1878 and more people flooded into the area. Many of these were Chinese laborers who worked in the mines and the region still feels the Asian influence in food and community names. As with many other parts of the Pacific Northwest, Newcastle participated in the thriving lumber business of the area, providing support and supply services for workers traveling through the community and as a rail stop for the industry.

Things to Do

Arts and Culture

Newcastle is centrally located to some allow for easy movement throughout the region and its rich cultural and art institutions. The Newcastle Historical Society was founded in 1978 to protect the historical items and sites from the area’s coal mining activities. The city’s development and growth can be directly related to the discovery of coal in the area. As miners flooded into the area, business and support services were established and expanded. The Historical Society maintains a number of local sites.

Baima House is the one remaining building from the coal mining times and is one of the oldest buildings in the county. Built in 1920, the Baima House served as housing for miners working nearby. A nice representative of the small, single-wall house of the time, this home is available to tour. Milt’s Museum has a nice collection of items used by the coal industry. From mining equipment to cooking utensils and stable tools, Newcastle Historical Society has carefully archived and created exhibits designed to educate the public about the community’s coal mining heritage.

One of the most poignant cultural locations of Newcastle isn’t housed in a building. The abandoned coal mines and graves are dotted throughout the area. Hikers often find trail paths wind past closed mining tunnels and caves. The Newcastle Coal Miners Cemetery is a reminder of the thousands of miners who died in this dangerous activity.

Fun learning events for children and adults orchestrated by the newly opened King County public library feature culturally enriching reading lists, lectures and local art displays. The library also maintains an impressive local history section with special events which proudly display information and offers learning opportunities to explore the history of the community from its coal mining days to the present.

The Newcastle Arts Council is an active participant in the local art scene. Local artists are celebrated each year with the Council’s Newcastle Days Art Exhibition. The exhibition features established arts and gives an opportunity for new artist to display their work in a festive atmosphere. Participants offer pieces of paintings, sculpture, pottery, photography and glass works.

Outdoor Activities

The city of Newcastle considered its network of trails to be one of its best assets. The trails are now being integrated into new housing developments and parks to allow front door access to the system. Most of the trail development has been completed by community volunteers in cooperation with the Washington Conservation Corps, sponsored by the city of Newcastle. The trail system is currently connected to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and eventually will lead to Lake Washington.

Newcastle currently has 40 acres of developed parks which are scattered throughout the city. Lake Boren Park is the crown jewel of the system and offers an array of recreational amenities such as playground, basketball, tennis, sand volleyball courts, picnic shelters and restrooms. The park offers beautiful lake views and provides access to the trail system.

The Golf Club at Newcastle is one of the finest golf courses in the Pacific Northwest. From the course greens, golfers can enjoy a panoramic view of the community and Lake Washington. The course features 36 holes of championship golf and players enjoy the challenging course as well as the best view in the area.

Each year the City of Newcastle sponsors it’s Concerts in the Park Series. The concerts are held at Lake Boren Park and from 7 – 8:30pm and residents and visitors enjoy the lovely warm evenings with a picnic on the greens listening to cover bands play favorites from the likes of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, John Mayer and Michael Jackson.

Once the concert series is over, the summer ends with its Summer Movie Night. Each year, the city of Newcastle brings a family friendly movie to the big screen under the stars in Lake Boren Park. Vendors offer shaved ice, ice cream, beverages and the local favorite, fresh kettle corn for movie goers in the party-like atmosphere.

Every fall the community comes together for the annually anticipated Newcastle Days. Held at Lake Boren Park, the weekend celebration starts with a parade followed by great activities. There is a petting zoo, pony rides and a car show. The adults can enjoy the beer and wine garden featuring beverages from the local Newport Hill’s Resonate Brewery.

Shopping

Newcastle offers all essential shopping and services such as grocery stores, health food stores and beauty salons and fitness centers. There are also a number of small, local boutiques offering unique items for sale. Many residents make the quick drive to Renton to visit The Landing, which offers great shopping, dining and entertainment options. With such stores like Staples, Target, PetSmart and Dick’s Sporting Goods, shoppers can stock up on all the essentials and enjoy a nice meal at any of the restaurants and fast food spots.

Dining and Entertainment

The Golf Club at Newcastle is home to the Calcutta Grill. Located in the spacious clubhouse, the restaurant offers fine dining with unparalleled views. Wooly Toad is the club’s lounge which provides a great way to spend the 19th hole. With a warm, cozy interior and patio seating, guest can enjoy their favorite drinks all year long.

The city has all the traditional dining and entertainment options, coffee shops, national chain restaurants and theaters, but locally-owned places are still the favorites. From sweet treats to local winery tasting rooms, Newcastle residents can be found with family and friends at neighborhood haunts meeting for a quick bite or pick-me-up.

Schools

The city of Newcastle is served by both the Issaquah School District and the Renton School District. Only two schools are actually within the city’s borders, Newcastle Elementary and Hazelwood Elementary, the community support and involvement in local education is remarkably high.

Issaquah School District

The Issaquah School District provides student with a curriculum which emphasizes the incorporation of real-life experiences and learning into the program. Serving an increasingly diverse student population, educators use this resource to create sharing opportunities and bring classroom information into the real life experiences of its students. This culturally enriching environment helps students develop a love of learning and ability to see learning experiences in their everyday lives.

Renton School District

The Renton School District is committed to educational programs which encourage academic achievement and social responsibility. The students of the district are encouraged to think beyond the classroom to apply their education to the needs of their community, region and country. The educational process is aided by community partnerships with families, government agencies and local businesses. With a high priority given to volunteerism, both students and community member are encouraged to participate in local charity and community improvement projects.

The University of Washington is the largest secondary school in the region, but there are also a number of smaller universities including Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University and Northeastern University. Residents are also served by local community colleges and trade schools.

Economy

Newcastle has retained a small-town atmosphere. As a result, most residents commute to one of the neighboring cities for employment. The easy access to public transportation and major highways is one reason so many can easily make the short commute to work each day without sacrificing their home-work balance and lifestyle. Both Seattle and Bellevue are less than 20 minutes away and offer a multitude of employment opportunities in high-tech, medical research, manufacturing and other industries. Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, Nintendo of America and Costco are just a few of the region’s major employers and many Newcastle residents work with one of these corporate giants.

Transportation

Newcastle is close to the crossroads of I-405 and I-90 which makes it easy for residents to get out to see the region’s exceptional shopping and dining venues as well as exploring the area’s spectacular natural beauty. The new Transit Center in downtown provides access to the Eastside transportation link. Public transportation includes light rail, Amtrak and buses which help residents move around town and to neighboring communities.

The City of Newcastle community development department has an aggressive Non-Motorized Transportation Plan. The plan is designed to create a “walkable, bikeable Newcastle.” The plan prioritizes projects to the construction of missing segments of sidewalks, walking and biking trails throughout the city. The primary goal is to link destinations such as schools, businesses, parks, residential neighborhoods and transit stops.

Newcastle, Washington Real Estate

Newcastle has been a quietly growing suburb of Seattle. In 1999, the Golf Club at Newcastle opened and new residents flooded into the community to enjoy the peaceful environment, small town community feeling and excellent schools and parks. Suddenly development started in earnest in the newly incorporated city. Newcastle has ranked a number of times on CNN Money’s “Best Places to Live” list. It was also named as one of America’s “Best Small Town” by Money Magazine and Bloomberg Businessweek called it one of the “Best Affordable Suburbs.”

Featured Neighborhoods in Newcastle, Washington

Dorchester Ridge – Dorchester Ridge is a quiet community located high in the hills of Newcastle. The community offers a peaceful environment with beautifully treed streets and exceptional views of Lake Washington. Residents enjoy easy access to walking trails and local parks.

The Highlands at Newcastle – The Highlands at Newcastle is a premier neighborhood of luxury homes located in Newcastle. The community offers 152 homes which sit on large lots bordering a wooded greenbelt. Multiple parks and trails flow through the neighborhood and most homes have a view of Cougar Mountain. Trails from the community provide access to the 3000 acre Cougar Mountain Wildland Park and its 40 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.

Lake Washington Ridge – Lake Washington Ridge is a neighborhood of 119 upscale homes with generous lots and tree-lined streets. Some homes include panoramic views of Lake Washington, The Olympic Mountains, Seattle, Mt. Rainier and Bellevue lights. Most homes border the surrounding wooded greenbelts.

Olympus – Olympus it a tight-knit neighborhood of 268 homes in the city of Newcastle. Medium sized homes on wide community streets, the development prides itself on safe streets and community spirit. Visitors to this neighborhood will often see block parties and neighborhood events. During the holiday season, homes are lit up with the spirit of the season while kids sell hot chocolate and holiday treats.