Newport's natural beauty and quiet setting are its major draws
On the border of Washington and Idaho is Newport, the seat of Pend Oreille County and a city surrounded by beautiful outdoor recreation. Families have lived here for years, while others have just moved in for the quiet setting. The city may be on the outskirts of the greater Spokane area, but some residents make the commute for work. Driving longer isn’t as much of a task when you have a laid-back place full of mountain and river views to call home.
How Newport homes compare to those just next door in Idaho
Michael Schmidt is a Realtor and broker with Northwest Ranch Properties, a group with John L. Scott Real Estate. He says Newport has a mix of families that have been in the area for generations and new ones who moved in to raise their kids in a rural setting. “It’s beautiful,” Schmidt says. “It’s got small-town charm, and then, access to recreation. It’s a true American small town. ... Newport is on the Washington side of the boundary of Idaho. Real estate around Newport is considerably cheaper than in Idaho. We see a lot of clients looking in Idaho who end up buying on the Washington side. It’s beautiful, just as nice and cheaper.”
When it comes to prices, cottages and manufactured homes tend to sell in the low $100,000s to the mid-$300,000s. Craftsmans, split-levels and contemporary builds usually range from the mid-$300,000s to the lower $700,000s. Properties that sell closer to $1 million are usually more expensive because they have acres of land, but homes in Newport have large lots in general. Residents who live within the city limits have access to public water and sewer. Schmidt also predicts Newport will have a residential boom in the next decade or so since Deer Park, an area about halfway between Spokane and Newport, has exploded with growth. As growth radiates from Spokane, Newport could see a population bump.
It's easy to get out and explore nature in the area
When you want to get out of the house, there are community events at Newport Library, and the Newport Rodeo hosts events at the fairgrounds from March through August. Schmidt highlights destinations that are nearby, like:
- Diamond Lake, which is open for boating and fishing
- Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, where people go for snow tubing and skiing
- The Pend Oreille River, a waterway that kayakers can follow
Newport is also along the International Selkirk Loop, a scenic driving route that circles through Washington, Idaho and Canada. You can bring your passport to do the full loop or head into northern Washington or Idaho.
Newport made county history with its high school
The city has the highly rated Newport School District, which manages four schools. Newport opened the county's first high school in the early 1900s. After a fire, the building was remodeled into the current Newport High School. Students can apply for the school’s Career and Technical Education programs, which cover topics like biomedical sciences and financial literacy.
Despite the rural setting, residents can commute to Spokane
Newport has been involved in the logging industry since its early days as a settlement. Some residents own and operate their own farms, but others work in Spokane or Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. U.S. Route 2 leads into downtown Spokane, about an hour away by car. Coeur d'Alene is also about an hour away when driving down State Route 41. The commute can be longer than an hour during the winter when it snows. Of course, if you want to say you visited Idaho, you can walk along the sidewalks to the Northwest Coffee shack on North State Avenue.
Supporting local businesses and restaurants in the city
While life in the city moves slowly, there are plenty of things to do close to home. “It’s got restaurants and bars, a Safeway and hardware stores,” Schmidt says. “Then, just across the bridge, there’s more infrastructure.” Dining out in Newport means supporting local businesses, including popular spots like:
- Audrey's Restaurant
- Kelly's Bar & Grill
- Mi Pueblo II
- Double Barrel Craft Kitchen and Taphouse
The Safeway is the main grocery store. There are boutiques and shops along South Washington Avenue, from the Shanty clothing store to Owen’s Grocery, Deli, & Soda Fountain, the first brick building erected in Newport.
