Newcastle

Less than 8 miles from Bellevue, Rainier Crest provides a relaxing environment only a matter of minutes from major employers like Google, Amazon, Chewy and Expedia. Because the neighborhood is part of Newcastle, much of its growth began in the 1990s when it became an incorporated part of King County. With the boom in population came the construction of several subdivisions, each with slightly different amenities and price points. The neighborhood's most well-known and densely populated subdivision is China Creek, a highly sought-after association with well-manicured lawns, ornate shrubbery and a vibrant array of trees. Behind walls of junipers, find contemporary, traditional and tri-level homes over 2,500 square feet. Meadowview Park is another subdivision of single-family homes with comparable housing styles. Its community regularly connects with residents of China Creek through groups like Women in the Neighborhood and annual events like the Spring Egg Hunt. For those looking for attached living or lower-cost options in the neighborhood, Tamarind offers a community with streets lined by two- and three-bedroom town houses, all around 1,200 to 1,300 square feet. Homes in China Creek and Meadowview Park typically cost between $1,400,000 and $1,700,000, though the occasional expansive home in the community can reach up to $2,775,000. On the other hand, town houses in Tamarind range from $600,000 to $665,000. For those living in the China Creek Homeowners Association, a play area and surrounding field await you at the park directly between the golf course and local trails. If living outside the China Creek HOA, accessible green spaces surround the neighborhood in three directions. Tee up at the Golf Club at Newcastle just north of home, its courses featuring views of the mountains and Seattle skyline. To the south and east of the neighborhood, find CrossTown, Terrace and Ballybunion Trails, each offering paths of varying lengths and terrains. For a relaxed afternoon by the waterside, venture a mile away and cast a line on the pier at Lake Boren to catch some Rainbow Trout, its waters stocked regularly to promote fruitful fishing trips. When the snow begins to fall, enjoy indoor recreational opportunities less than 2 miles away at Coal Creek YMCA, home to multiple swimming pools, gymnasiums and fitness classes, or check out a book at the 11,000-square-foot library a mile away. When it comes to academics, students in the neighborhood attend Issaquah School District, the 5th-best district in Washington, according to Niche. Students benefit from all A-rated schools, beginning with Newcastle Elementary. From here, students transition to Maywood Middle and graduate from Liberty Senior High, which ranks as the 20th-best public high school in Washington and features more than 30 extracurricular activities, including Students for Change, First Nations Culture Club and Chess Club. Liberty also boasts a 97% graduation rate per their state scorecard. On the weekend, take your pick of shopping and dining options to stock your closet with fresh fits and fill your stomach with delicious meals. With Coal Creek Village and Marketplace about a mile away, gain access to multiple grocery stores and retailers like Safeway, QFC, the UPS Store, Pet Pros and GNC. For larger shopping trips, the Marketplace at Factoria is less than 4 miles north, making it easy to find new shoes for back-to-school at Nike or fresh blazers for job interviews at Nordstrom Rack. When hunger strikes, access all of Newcastle’s eateries within 2 miles as well. Enjoy Mexican cuisine at Tapatio for dinner, sandwiches at the Coalman Café for lunch or ice cream at Frosty Barrel for dessert. If you want to get dressed up and dine along the bay, reach downtown Seattle in less than 15 miles. While Interstate 90 covers your commute to the Emerald City, Interstate 405 connects you to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in less than 13 miles. Should the unexpected happen while you’re home, you can check into the emergency room at Overlake Medical Center in less than 8 miles and Banfield Pet Hospital in less than 2 miles. No matter where you’re headed, Rainier Crest keeps you close to your next destination.

Offering an escape into nature combined with the luxury of golf course living, The Reserve is a desirable, vibrant community in the Seattle suburb of Newcastle. “If you’re looking to upscale, high-end homes on a golf course, this is the neighborhood you’re looking for,” says Roger Bintner, a broker with Windermere Bellevue South. “It backs up to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. The houses are either on the golf course or against the park.” With natural wonders on one side and a top-rated golf course on the other, living in The Reserve can feel like you’ve found a home in a Pacific Northwest resort. The mountainous, tree-lined streets of The Reserve are home to luxury custom houses. You can find Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes with tile roofs and stucco siding. Some houses incorporated castle-like stone turrets into the façade. There are plenty of modern Craftsman homes with wood siding and stone columns flanking the front door. Most homes are close together, making it easy to get to know your neighbors, but there are some with more spacious lots. Intricate landscaping adds to the curb appeal, featuring vibrant shrubs and colorful plants. Most houses in the neighborhood have built-in garages that fit two or three cars. Homes in The Reserve typically cost at least $2 million, with some costing more than $3 million. Natural beauty is one of the perks of living in The Reserve, and there are plenty of ways to take advantage of the surroundings. Multiple parks within the neighborhood offer a small slice of nature for residents to enjoy. Gleneagles Park is a small 1-acre park with walking paths and floral gardens. Ballybunion Park has a playground and swing set that kids will enjoy playing on. The neighborhood backs up to the 3,000-acre Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which has more than 35 miles of trails that traverse across wetlands, cliffs and second-growth forests. The Marshall’s Hill Trail is accessible from a trailhead on 154th Avenue SE, and you can make your way to the Red Town Trail from 155th Avenue SE. Golf lovers will enjoy living next to The Golf Club at Newcastle, one of the Seattle region’s premier courses. GolfLink has rated the course as one of the best in the area, citing its sweeping views of the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Mountains. The club has two courses, the championship Coal Creek course and the shorter and slightly easier China Creek course. Once you’re finished with your round, you can head to the elegant stone-clad clubhouse for English pub-style food with a Pacific Northwest flair. Students might attend Newcastle Elementary School, Maywood Middle School and Liberty High School, each receiving an A overall rating from Niche. Liberty High School offers several programs for students to prepare them for college and careers, such as the Running Start program, which offers tuition-free college courses. The school also has successful STEM programs, like a robotics club and science Olympiad. The Naval JROTC offers Sea Perch, an underwater robotics program that teaches students to build and operate remotely operated vehicles. Liberty has also had plenty of success in athletics and is the alma mater of three-time World Series champion Tim Lincecum. You’ll have to travel out of the neighborhood when you want to dine out, but there are some good options nearby. Bintner recommends Tapatio Mexican Grill and Yea’s Wok. Tapatio serves traditional Mexican dishes like enchiladas and tacos in a colorful, casual space. Yea’s Wok is known for its expansive menu of traditional Chinese food, including favorites like General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef. If you’d rather cook for yourself, a QFC and Safeway are conveniently located nearby. You can also shop for local seasonal produce across the street at Newcastle Fruit & Produce Co. This fruit stand is open six days a week and also sells trees, plants and gardening accessories. The Reserve’s location puts residents in the middle of many destinations they may need to visit throughout the Seattle region. “It’s centrally located about 15 to 20 minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport,” says Bintner. “It’s about 15 to 20 minutes to downtown Bellevue and Seattle. It’s an hour from the mountains.” Interstate 405 is nearby, but you’ll likely use Coal Creek Parkway frequently, as it runs north to south parallel to the interstate and is closer to the neighborhood. Although the neighborhood feels like a nature park, if you want to escape to a ski resort or mountain town for the weekend, Interstate 90 is just a few miles north and takes you straight east to Snoqualmie Pass.