Tasteful Friends - The Orchard - One of the “Famed Golden Age Summer Cottages” is For Sale in Newport, RI

Every few months I like to take a stroll through some Newport real estate porn during a lunch break or something. I've seen this home and love it, but I have the same question as OP. Whose even living in Newport these days. It seems like the Hamptons or MV are the way to go if you want to rub shoulders with the relevant wealthy families of today. Newport sounds old, boring, isolated and full of families trying to unload their expensive pile of bricks to preserve the remnants of their dwindling trust funds.

I'd love some of DL's insider knowledge on the happenings of Newport's aging society.

Fabulous. Let’s chip in and buy it (furnished) as our clubhouse.

I like it but it doesn't have a strong pull about it. The property with its mature trees is the nicest thing about the place I think. The exterior is a bit correct and dull, maybe dull by association because there are so many less timid expressions within a very short distance of comparison. Likewise it starts off a bit poorly inside with the glacial entry hall and large dining room and living room (though the library is nice), the stuff of paid wedding receptions. Beyond the public rooms, I like it much more; it's an interesting mix of spaces and more interesting in its somewhat personal informal side than in its poorly furnished grand rooms.

Newport is a great place to live, no longer to be in the thick of a social whirl but to be away from it, or away enough from it. Newport isn't the summer retreat it was from around 1820 to 1920, but who has the stomach for that level of social parade?

I'd be interested in the coffee table in photo #16!

That kitchen needs . . . subway tiles.

I love Newport. Love to walk around town, walk along the scenic shore, look at old mansions, eat in cafes, etc.

I freakin love it. Nothing going on there is a plus. Easy trip to Boston or short hike to NYC and if your chauffeur is doing the driving, bonus!

Beautiful place. But it's not on Bellevue Avenue? Hmm... I'll have to think about that.

Rully top drawer, OP!

It’s charming. I would consider purchasing it, but I couldn’t really cope with having to remember how to spell Narrangansett.

Serious question. Is that a pool or some kind of water feature/pond? I see they already have a lap pool. It appears to have stairs going down into it from the picture taken at night, but I don't see any cabanas, chairs, etc. near it so I'm not sure.

I prefer Newport to most of the Hamptons now - most of the towns have become over-run with wannabe Kardashian, new money trash. Don't even start me on Montauk. It has gone from a sleepy, family, surfer town to Bro and Hoe central. I now prefer the North shore, the CT shore, Newport and parts of Cape Cod (and no, not P-town).

In the Age of COVID, perhaps a nice mansion with decent acreage and mature landscaping in a non-crowded area is the way to go.

If, like me, you're the type who prefers the beach in winter, off-season travel, and could not care less about rubbing shoulders with people I know I won't ever like, an estate like this is perfect.

I've lived here for nearly 12 years now and love it. It's a beautiful city, lovely restaurants and shops and beautiful beaches. I love the village atmosphere in that I can walk downtown for a night out, or walk to the beach and be completed untethered by a car. The island itself is breathtaking and the bike riding is amazing. Ironically it's exactly the same size as Manhattan. I really don't think it's much different than any other resort community in that there are very wealthy people, but they really just socialize with each other, and most of the community is middle class or poor. I have volunteered for art associations such as Christmas in Newport and the Black Ships Festival, and although there are many old monied people active, and they are nice, you aren't one of them and you won't be invited to their homes.

It's not waterfront?

My family is from/still in Tiverton, RI. I love going to Newport but could never afford to live there. This helps me live vicariously for a 5 minutes.