Kensington

one of my favorite towns to hang out. not much traffic, friendly people, good food and drinks!

Im here often for pet sitting.
Tallmadge and Kensington are just the most perfect quaint little neighborhoods. I would love to raise a family here.

Best kept secret to live, walk, run, meet neighbor, dog friendly neighborhood in San Diego. Lots of younger people are moving in which is great and we watch out for each other. Great neighborhood watch program and help others take out garbage if you need help or go on vacations. Someone is always willing to help. Schools can be improved but they are working on this– our kids went to private. I would not live anywhere else, as it is convenient for getting around, downtown, beach, east county, or up north. Excellent access to all freeways. Never moving!

We are just six months in to our time in Kensington (we moved here from out of state) and we couldn’t be happier! The dog-​friendly neighbors all know our little dog, and everyone is happy and friendly. We lived here literally 2 days before the neighbors invited us to come over for dinner. We even get treats delivered to our door by neighbors. When the parade went down our street last month for Memorial Day we enjoyed the sunshine and the neighbors as much as the river dancing and recycle-​bin drill team.
Kensington’s business district is small and quaint, but the Ken Theatre, Burger Lounge, Clem’s Bottle House, Ponces and Kensington Café get our regular business. Easy access to Fairmont and Interstate 15 means that I can be in Mission Valley in less than 5 minutes if I feel like Home Depot, Ikea or In-​n-​Out that day. La Mesa and El Cajon are a stone’s throw away — but so are Point Loma and Old Town.
We are probably the only people in the neighborhood that do our own home maintenance — heck we’re the only people that mow our own yard. Our home is 85 years old and after many thousands of $$$ it still needs a lot of work, but we also own a piece of history in one of the nicest neighborhoods — in one of the nicest cities in the country. It’s hard to complain about that.

As the world becomes more globalized and living in one place your whole life becomes more and more rare, places like Kensington become more and more precious. One of my neighbors is in her late eighties and has lived in the same house for more than 60 years and personally knows (or at least it seems like it) every single dog in the entire neighborhood.
I love that I can walk my kids to the local library and park and bump into friends and neighbors each day. The library sponsors great events like baby-​sign language classes, and story-​time for the kids, not to mention adult author lectures. The mini-​park is very toddler friendly and the nice fencing makes it easy to keep an eye on the kids.
When I get hungry, I can walk to Clem’s for a lovely hand-​made deli sandwich, or I can go up-​scale and have divine French cuisine at Bleu Boheme. There’s no need to leave the neighborhood, whether you crave burgers at Burger Lounge, or just a glass of wine with a cheese board at Kensington Vine, it’s all here!
All your needs can be met within walking distance, from groceries at VONS to clothing at NYLA’s and jewelry at Peevey’s. And what other neighborhood has a pet-​store that delivers to your front door for free! We love Kensington Pet Supply! When our dog got attacked by a rottweiler, we whisked her off to Kensington Veterinary Hospital, again, within walking distance (although we drove at lightning speed of course!)
And of course, holidays here are amazing, spirited events where the whole neighborhood comes together! Everyone goes all out for Halloween and there are often lines at houses on certain streets like Edgeware and Canterbury Drive. At the end of Edgeware, there’s a house that does a themed haunted walk-​through where thousands of kids must’ve passed this year to hear Oompha Loompa being chanted by the Willy Wonka themed characters parading outside and inside the house! They had an amazingly professional and entertaining set-​up that enthralled my kids.
And Christmas? There’s always a little festival put on including food and drinks, professional carolers and a very jolly Santa who poses for pictures with the kids.
There is also an incredible parade down Marlborough every year for Memorial Day and numerous other events throughout the year.
The close and friendly sense of community here is one big reason we chose to live here. And as far as real estate goes, Kensington has had far less of the crazy ups and downs than newer developments like 4S Ranch etc. K-​land has much more personality and value. If you’re in a position to buy, especially in this market, you can’t go wrong with Kensington!

I have lived by Kensington for about ten years now, mostly in North Park and Normal Heights, but walk to there often and use the library. It is a lovely place and I am hoping to rent a townhouse there.
I have had my eye on a huge house on a corner lot with a large lot and an almost circular tower room in front. Someday I will take over this place and just tell the owners I am moving on in! :) I am envious of people who were able to buy houses here when they weren’t $$$$.
Sad to say, the only thing about Kensington I don’t like is that the economy has caused people to turn off their holiday lights. There used to be whole streets that had strings of lights from house to house. I grew up in a place that had seasons and it would give me a chilly Christmas spirit to see such a wonderful display.
Like I say, I am crossing my fingers to get a rental there. The area is over 100 years old and I like my neighborhoods old, walkable and with history. It’s a plus it has big willow and other trees, most likely planted 100 years old since they are large and lush, it’s quiet and there are some great places like the Ken Theatre, Ken Video and the Ken Club, which I do believe is the older bar in SD. They also have historical events because they have a lot of «historically designated homes»! This Midwestern girl is right at home with all the nature, the small town feel and friendliness of this area. I love you Kensington, I really do. I could sit in your beautiful library park under the tall pine trees and wax romantic about you for hours!
Plus this area seems to be cooler (like temperature, not hipness) and when I lived closer, I never had to run my AC or heater very often.

I will own a place here one day.
Arguably the best neighborhood in all of San Diego. Situated just a stones throw from Normal Heights without the rift raft.
I am said rift raft.
I will own a canyon view home here one day.
«beans don’t burn in the kitchen»
Yes it’s that nice.