Newport Woods

Tucked between Bellevue and Renton, just above Lake Washington, is Newport Woods, a small neighborhood in the city of Newcastle.

"It is a wonderful, tight-knit community. You could call it a diamond polished from the rough," says Tony Marrese, a real-estate agent with Windermere Real Estate.

Marrese says it is attractive for many first-time homebuyers on the Eastside because some of the houses are still considered affordable, starting at about $400,000.

This small-town feel is part of the neighborhood's appeal and staying power.

Faye Lermond, who has lived in the neighborhood for 39 years and is the original owner of her home, says people tend to remain in the neighborhood, and those who leave often want to come back.

"We are not a nosy neighborhood, but let somebody be in trouble and we are right there to help them," Lermond says.

"It is very social and outgoing. Everybody watches out for each other. We do three social events a year and two neighborhood cleanups. We get a lot of participation so that is how we get to know each other. There are more people we know than don't know," says Christie LeBar, a travel agent who has lived in Newport Woods for 15 years.

Newport Woods


Population: 9,175

Distance to downtown Seattle: 11 miles

Schools: Newport Woods is served by the Renton School District.

(Parts of Newcastle are also served by the Issaquah School District.)

Recreation: Newcastle has 45 acres of parks in the city limits. Lake Boren Park is the city's major recreational venue, and includes basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, playground areas, picnic shelters, and restrooms.

Fun fact: In 1872, between 75 to 100 tons of coal were produced each day in Newcastle; by the time the mine closed for good in 1963, more than13 million tons had been extracted.

— Seattle Times news researcher Miyoko Wolf

"We try to build a sense of community," says Mike Blodgett, president of the Newport Woods Community Club.

For instance, he says that at their summer event a resident makes the children a wooden toy — this year it was whales and ducks to go with the event's beach theme.

Residents enjoy the convenience of quick access to Interstate 405 and Interstate 90. The community is within walking distance of grocery stores, restaurants, and medical and dental facilities on nearby Coal Creek Parkway Southeast, as well as hiking trails and parks.

In fact, the neighborhood is bordered on two sides by walking trails.

Built in 1967 during the "Boeing boom," the development is made up of 88 homes with a variety of sizes and styles, including ramblers, split-levels and two story homes. The city of Newcastle was incorporated in 1994.

Blodgett, who has lived in Newport Woods for 19 years and was originally opposed to the incorporation, now says it was an excellent decision because the small-town feel allows for more personal involvement.

For instance, when some streetlights went out, he attended a city meeting where he was greeted by first name and the lights were promptly replaced.

Lermond says the neighborhood hasn't really changed very much in her 39 years, mainly because of the strong community ties.

The first year she lived there, she baby-sat someone's goat, and when she took her son for a walk in the stroller once, a cow tried to follow her home.

While there are no more goats or cows, and many residents have updated their houses, the friendly, supportive nature of the neighborhood has stayed the same.

"I wouldn't move for anything. I don't think I could find anything comparable," Lermond says.