Bethesda vs Kensington?

[Anonymous]

We are looking at Kensington as an alternative to Bethesda. What are the differences in culture/people/prices? We are a young family with young babies/toddlers. TIA

[Anonymous]

I live next to Kensington and it seems really nice. I think it's a good place to raise a family and you can save quite a bit of money vs living in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Another huge plus for Kensington is you can look forward to Woodward opening in a couple years which will mostly improve on current options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another huge plus for Kensington is you can look forward to Woodward opening in a couple years which will mostly improve on current options.

Is that definitely a plus? I worry that we might get stuck in Einstein. I'd love to get districted to Woodward but it's such a gamble.

[Anonymous]

I'm a resident of Kensington and have never lived in Bethesda, so while I can't compare I can tell you about Kensington with small kids (ours are two and three now). We have lived here for almost two years and love it so far. It's very kid-friendly and convenient. For the kids and family, there are several great parks and playgrounds within a few blocks, fun events in the summer (bike parade on the Fourth, once a month kid movie on the green), food truck night near the MARC station every other Thursday in the summer, summer concert series, model train show at town hall, book fair, fall fest, etc. There just always seems to be a ton to do that is free or nearly so.

As for convenience, we find we can walk to many things (CVS, starbucks, wine store, take out, groceries, auto repair, vet, dentist and doctor) and have a three -five minute drive to others (costco, target, post office). I take the MARC which is a short walk or sometimes drive the 1.3 miles to the metro (there is also a bus line) for work. We find we don't need the car for many errands.

In all, we've found it welcoming, with more of a small town feel and a lot of community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a resident of Kensington and have never lived in Bethesda, so while I can't compare I can tell you about Kensington with small kids (ours are two and three now). We have lived here for almost two years and love it so far. It's very kid-friendly and convenient. For the kids and family, there are several great parks and playgrounds within a few blocks, fun events in the summer (bike parade on the Fourth, once a month kid movie on the green), food truck night near the MARC station every other Thursday in the summer, summer concert series, model train show at town hall, book fair, fall fest, etc. There just always seems to be a ton to do that is free or nearly so.

As for convenience, we find we can walk to many things (CVS, starbucks, wine store, take out, groceries, auto repair, vet, dentist and doctor) and have a three -five minute drive to others (costco, target, post office). I take the MARC which is a short walk or sometimes drive the 1.3 miles to the metro (there is also a bus line) for work. We find we don't need the car for many errands.

In all, we've found it welcoming, with more of a small town feel and a lot of community.

I love it too - although we live in the Parkwood neighborhood. There is definitely less of the Bethesda vibe. Likely because we are the poor relations but I also think it is somewhat self-selecting. My neighbors are all well-educated professionals, many with interesting DC jobs but they almost all seem down to earth and fun to be around. We take part in all the events that the PP listed above and there is a nice small town feeling when you attend them.

[Anonymous]

I live in Kensington and I really like it. But if I had $1.5m I would buy a new build near Bethesda metro. If I were looking further from metro then I would definitely prefer Kensington to any of the neighborhoods near Medical Center, because I think traffic is marginally better off connicticut vs Wisconsin/pike

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Kensington and I really like it. But if I had $1.5m I would buy a new build near Bethesda metro. If I were looking further from metro then I would definitely prefer Kensington to any of the neighborhoods near Medical Center, because I think traffic is marginally better off connicticut vs Wisconsin/pike

You'd need closer to $1.8mn to get a new build closer to Bethesda metro.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Kensington and I really like it. But if I had $1.5m I would buy a new build near Bethesda metro. If I were looking further from metro then I would definitely prefer Kensington to any of the neighborhoods near Medical Center, because I think traffic is marginally better off connicticut vs Wisconsin/pike

You'd need closer to $1.8mn to get a new build closer to Bethesda metro.

If you are talking an easy walk to metro, $1.8 usually won't cut it unless the lot is really small and will only support a relatively smaller house. If you are willing to be a quick drive or longer walk, that might do it.

[Anonymous]

I also live next to Kensington and think it's hugely underappreciated. Love the cute downtown, love the community feel esp the parades, love having useful retail nearby (Safeway/Strosniders), love the parkway with little streams etc.

However, the Woodward thing is an issue that can't be ignored. If you're buying in the WJ -zoned parts of Kensington and (to a lesser extent) the BCC-zoned part, you can't really guarantee that you won't be switched to Woodward -- which will almost certainly have a higher proportion of low-income kids. That's not inherently a problem, but the reality is that it impacts property values. It's mostly upside for the Einstein-zoned parts of Kensington, but I wouldn't pay the 'school premium' for Kensington right now even though I love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I also live next to Kensington and think it's hugely underappreciated. Love the cute downtown, love the community feel esp the parades, love having useful retail nearby (Safeway/Strosniders), love the parkway with little streams etc.

However, the Woodward thing is an issue that can't be ignored. If you're buying in the WJ -zoned parts of Kensington and (to a lesser extent) the BCC-zoned part, you can't really guarantee that you won't be switched to Woodward -- which will almost certainly have a higher proportion of low-income kids. That's not inherently a problem, but the reality is that it impacts property values. It's mostly upside for the Einstein-zoned parts of Kensington, but I wouldn't pay the 'school premium' for Kensington right now even though I love it.

Where is this cute downtown of Kensington?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also live next to Kensington and think it's hugely underappreciated. Love the cute downtown, love the community feel esp the parades, love having useful retail nearby (Safeway/Strosniders), love the parkway with little streams etc.

However, the Woodward thing is an issue that can't be ignored. If you're buying in the WJ -zoned parts of Kensington and (to a lesser extent) the BCC-zoned part, you can't really guarantee that you won't be switched to Woodward -- which will almost certainly have a higher proportion of low-income kids. That's not inherently a problem, but the reality is that it impacts property values. It's mostly upside for the Einstein-zoned parts of Kensington, but I wouldn't pay the 'school premium' for Kensington right now even though I love it.

Where is this cute downtown of Kensington?

We think it’s cute, bitch. We’re glad you don’t live here.

I’m not the PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also live next to Kensington and think it's hugely underappreciated. Love the cute downtown, love the community feel esp the parades, love having useful retail nearby (Safeway/Strosniders), love the parkway with little streams etc.

However, the Woodward thing is an issue that can't be ignored. If you're buying in the WJ -zoned parts of Kensington and (to a lesser extent) the BCC-zoned part, you can't really guarantee that you won't be switched to Woodward -- which will almost certainly have a higher proportion of low-income kids. That's not inherently a problem, but the reality is that it impacts property values. It's mostly upside for the Einstein-zoned parts of Kensington, but I wouldn't pay the 'school premium' for Kensington right now even though I love it.

Where is this cute downtown of Kensington?

We think it’s cute, bitch. We’re glad you don’t live here.

I’m not the PP.

NP. It is cute, but it is also pretty small. In my mind, it's a plus, but not a huge deal.

You also need to factor in commute, since depending on where you are heading and how, there can be a big difference with Bethesda generally being better, especially closer in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

FU 21:33. I am asking where it LITERALLY is b/c I am not familiar with the neighborhood, jeez. Give me a landmark to google map.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FU 21:33. I am asking where it LITERALLY is b/c I am not familiar with the neighborhood, jeez. Give me a landmark to google map.

Jenny Cakes!