Just outside the metropolis of Seattle, home of the iconic Space Needle and, of course, the coffee lovers’ favorite spot, Starbucks, lies a lesser-known majestic city called Newcastle. While it isn’t as famous as its neighbor, Newcastle is growing, and with good reason.
A visit to Washington isn’t complete without a stop in Seattle, but tourists often go through Newcastle to reach their destination. What they find is a city that grabs their hearts, and frequently turns a short stop into a search for homes for sale in Newcastle, WA.
What’s so amazing about this city that it turns visitors into residents? Here, we’ll share 7 reasons you’ll love it in Newcastle, tempting you to give it a try and see if you can resist its charm!
1. It’s Peaceful Here
While the hustle and grind of a big city can be a fun way to pass a day, living in the fast pace of this type of lifestyle isn’t for everyone. For those who like to have access to the amenities of an industrial area, like major malls, big chain restaurants, and more job potential, finding a small town within convenient driving distance to those larger places is a happy medium. That’s where Newcastle steps in.
The city was only recently incorporated in 1994, but it has existed since long before Washington became an official state. Newcastle started out as Newport Hills, a successful coal mining town, helping to encourage people to visit and stay around the Puget Sound. With the end of that era, Newport Hills became an incorporated city, soon becoming Newcastle.
The town grew up, and the population keeps rising, but the atmosphere has remained the same peaceful, slow-paced residential community ideal for getting to know your neighbors and basking in the majestic scenery, then making a quick trek to your job in the Seattle metropolitan area.
2. It’s Family-Friendly
Looking for a place to live where not only will your family feel safe, but they’ll have things to do to keep them busy? Newcastle answers this request, too.
Family-friendly, the city boasts various parks and playgrounds where you can bring bikes, frisbees, and kites, or enjoy a picnic in the fresh air. Recreational facilities and daycares with excellent reputations are conveniently located within walking distance of many of the parks and residential areas.
Easy day trips to Seattle fill the time and teach your little ones about culture, art, and history. If nature is calling, the Coal Creek Falls Trail and Lake Boren are nearby. Newcastle is near the Issaquah Alps and gives you convenient access to Cougar Mountain and Mount Rainier in the distance.
There’s something for every family member to do in Newcastle, and if you’re still looking for more, a short drive will take you where you want to go!
3. Transportation is Flexible
Unless you work out of the city or prefer to travel a lot, you could save a lot of money by not having a personal vehicle. Newcastle is pedestrian-friendly, with residential communities that have nearby amenities like restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores. But if you need to go further than your feet (or a bike) can take you, public transportation abounds here, too!
The local public transit bus is a popular way to get from place to place without incident. Newcastle alone hosts 11 Metro Transit bus stops. Life here is slow-paced; however, you can easily get where you’re going quickly once you master the transit system.
4. The Job Market is Growing
Many people who live in Newcastle work in the Seattle metropolitan area, but the smaller city is making its way up the rails in terms of economics. The average income is higher than the national average, unemployment is lower, and the rate of jobs available continues to rise with the increase in population.
Newcastle is full of white-collar tech, management, healthcare, finance, and retail trade workers, with a ratio that exceeds the national average. But everyone is welcome, and the seafood and manufacturing businesses in nearby cities are booming!
5. The Schools Are Great
When you’re raising a family, the public school system options matter significantly. In Newcastle, education is a priority, and the results show. The city is known as one of the best places to go for a strong education, with nearly 70% of adults moving on to receive advanced degrees. Not only is this important for those who grow up here, but all who move to the area can rest in the knowledge that their children will be surrounded by role models who believe in higher education as a way to advance one’s opportunities in life.
6. Driving and Biking/Walking Are Safe, Too
We all understand that accidents happen everywhere, but they are more likely to occur when the roads and sidewalks aren’t taken care of. In Newcastle, the ever-expanding sidewalk system gives bikers and pedestrians a safe place to travel, and 40 miles of paved roads are cared for by the city.
In addition to caring for the concrete, the city’s Public Works department handles all things related to storm water management to keep residents safe, and the Coal Creek Utility District takes care of water and sewer conveyance systems. Electricity is provided through the reputable Puget Sound Energy, which also controls most of the city’s streetlights. Waste Management handles garbage removal, and recycling is encouraged!
7. Diverse Neighborhoods Welcome Everyone
One of the best parts of living in Newcastle is that it hosts a range of diverse neighborhoods. In fact, the city was ranked by Money Magazine as one of the best small towns to live in America because of its vibrant residential communities. Low crime, impressive schools, and top-rated healthcare systems attract people to the area every year.
Newcastle City Hall focuses on keeping the values that built the town going strong, encouraging community participation in all decision-making steps. If being in a city where you feel valued and appreciated is important to you, head to Newcastle.
Newcastle, New Life
Whether you’re trying to leave the fast pace of the rat race behind, or you’re moving from a peaceful home and you want to find something that matches what you already have, Newcastle does the trick. Visitors to this area say there’s just something different about Newcastle. It works a magic that gets in your soul and makes you want to stay there and become part of the town’s friendliness yourself.