Once a significant contributor to the coal mining industry for nearly 100 years, Newcastle has brushed away the soot to create a suburban community near the shores of Lake Washington and Coal Creek. This King County city is still relatively new, having been incorporated in 1994, but in the three decades it has been an official municipality, it has transformed into a vibrant city. "It's a wonderful small community," says Vicki Heck, who has served as the librarian of Newcastle Library for about 10 years. "We have community groups committed to art and nature, fun events and a vibrant town center with beloved local businesses.” The city is partially bordered by Lake Washington and also features scenic mountain views and stunning seasonal foliage. Newcastle is also walkable, thanks to quality roads and an extensive sidewalk system, and its proximity to two interstate highways make it a great spot for commuters working in the Seattle metro area.
Tucked at the southern end of Lake Washington in Renton is Kennydale.
Newcastle is known for having a number of trails for residents to take advantage of year-round.
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Newcastle's plentiful parks
At Lake Boren Park, casual outings can mean fishing in the lake, playing basketball and tennis or having fun on the playground. Hazelwood Park includes a boardwalk that takes pedestrians through a forested wetland. And while the city has several formal parks, its many trails offer plenty of outdoor recreation. The dog-friendly Coal Creek Trail leads into the deep forest of Coal Creek Park. Newcastle Golf Club is a world-class golf course that spans 350 acres and impressively perches in the hilltops. The city is also known for its trail system. The system is maintained by Newcastle Trails, a non-profit group made up of neighbors dedicated to preserving, creating and expanding trails throughout the city. Plus, just 7 miles outside of the city, is the immense Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park with over 3,000 acres of diverse habitats and trails.
Lake Boren Park is a scenic spot in the Newcastle neighborhood.
Hazelwood Park is a favorite of Newcastle hikers.
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Events that bring out Newcastle neighbors
The community events around Newcastle demonstrate its homegrown spirit and tight-knit community. Heck says, "They have a Fourth of July fireworks show every year, and a wonderful event in September called Newcastle Days, where art vendors and local businesses come together, and it's just a really nice community-building event." Lake Boren Park is the venue for both of these festivities. The city also holds an annual Restaurant Week in January, showcasing the culinary talents of the local eateries.
Shopping and dining locally in Newcastle's town center
Newcastle's town center takes care of many shopping and dining needs. For example, Coal Creek Village has several retailers and restaurants, including Mexican eatery Tapatio, which Heck says locals will frequently visit to celebrate special occasions. "Newcastle Fruit and Produce is a jewel of a small businesses," says Heck. "It's just a wonderful staple of the community." The farmer's market has been serving the community for more than 30 years, providing fresh produce, plants and seasonal items like pumpkins and Christmas trees.
Dinning options in Newport range from the inexpensive to world class eateries.
Locals have lots of shopping and dining at Newport shopping center in the Newport community.
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Mid-century homes on tree-lined streets
Winding residential streets are lined with mature pines and firs, surrounding homes on quarter-acre lots. Single-family homes include a large mix of midcentury ranch-style, split-level and bi-level properties, with the occasional contemporary Craftsman. Some of Newcastle’s neighborhoods have particularly stunning views. The Reserve and Rainier Crest neighborhoods hug the local golf course and include rolling hills and sweeping mountain vistas. The median price for a home in Newcastle is $1.7 million, and it takes approximately 24 days for a property to sell, compared to the national average of 45 days.
The large custom homes of The Reserve are just minutes from a hike through nature.
Some homes on the hills of Rainier Crest utilize wraparound porches to soak in the view.
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Issaquah and Renton School Districts
Schools in the city are zoned for two school districts. First is the Issaquah School District, which is rated A-plus by Niche and is ranked in the top five school districts in Washington. The other is the Renton School District, which has a B-rating from Niche.
Newcastle Elementary School is home to around 485 students.
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bellevue, WA is a top private middle and high school for girls in the Seattle area.
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Two major interstates and nearby Seattle metro cities
The city is bordered by Interstate 405, which is a connection to Interstate 90, the best route for crossing Mercer Island into Seattle. Bellevue is 7 miles to the north while Tacoma lies 41 miles to the south. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is 14 miles away. Buses run along 123rd Avenue.
Increased crime rates and climate trends for Newcastle
The Newcastle Police Department serves the city. Its 2023 data reported to the FBI included a 16% increase in violent crime and a 5% increase in property crime. The city also has a moderate wildfire risk and a severe air quality risk, according to data collected by First Street.
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