Neighborly air persists despite growth

By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Despite more people working outside the home, neighborliness still exists in these two communities. Empty nests in Newcastle and Newport Hills refill quickly.

"A lot of kids are moving back into the houses they grew up in, buying homes from their parents or whatever," says Zee Straight-Wright, president of the Newport Hills Community Club. "We've seen that a lot. I conclude from that trend that the kids consider this a good place to live and raise their own families."

Those returning to the neighborhoods of their youth have some changes to face, however.

New housing developments, with homes priced from $350,000 to beyond $1 million, are sprouting up on Newport Hills' flanks and ridges -- a big change from three decades ago when an upscale home sold for $18,000.