Kensington Status Check?
Similar question to the one posted here yesterday about Ditmas Park – how’s Kensington doing? I’ve been in Brooklyn for about 8 years now and remember talk of Kensington & Windsor Terrace as “up and coming” nabes almost that far back. Now, Ditmas Park has a bunch of new stuff popping up along Cortelyou and…
Similar question to the one posted here yesterday about Ditmas Park – how’s Kensington doing?
I’ve been in Brooklyn for about 8 years now and remember talk of Kensington & Windsor Terrace as “up and coming” nabes almost that far back. Now, Ditmas Park has a bunch of new stuff popping up along Cortelyou and it seems that the Oak and the Iris is the only new business in Kensington. I could be wrong about that and am not sure about what’s going on in Windsor Terrace (where property prices are quite a bit higher). In any case, we’re looking to buy a place in Kensington and there seems to be a pretty cool community taking shape – with the CSA, pre-school coops, meet-ups, the KWTneighbors yahoo group and one or two neighborhood blogs. Both P.S. 230 and P.S. 130 seem like really good elementary schools, Prospect Park is close-by. All these things combined, aside from the usual gripes about the F train, paint a really good picture for Kensington. What do you all think? Is Kensington on the up and up? I know it’s hard to say, with the economy being what it is and the recent real estate bubble, but are properties in Kensington likely to hold their value?
We live on the Kensington/Windsor Terrace boarder, and it is a great neighborhood. Wonderful neighbors, more businesses all the time.
As to your question re: holding value (obvious disclaimers aside), it is my sense that the area is very stable. There are lots of families that have been here for generations, and it was very safe and nice *before* the big RE run up. Hence, I don’t see it subject to a downfall any time soon.
Good luck!
Also I think good local news there: a new Kensingon blog, at kensingtonprospect dot com.
Yup, we could sure use 1 or 2 good drinking places here on the KWT border, but most people here are just home bound after work, or are doing their partying elsewhere. Besides from that it is pretty much perfect as far as raising a young family.
I think its safe to say that most people who live in WT (and I assume Kensington based on the people I know that live there although I could be wrong) are happy with the way it is. Sure we all have our suggestions of what the neighborhoods could use more or less of but for the most part, its a great place to live. Quiet, safe, the essentials very close by with some of the more posh restaurants and shops just a stroll away. (I’ve never had a problem with the F train.)
So if you don’t like how it is right now, its probably not for you. It may change somewhat over the years but I wouldn’t expect radical change in Kensington. If you like how it is now, then its a good choice.
What I love about Kensington, which is down Church Ave. from us, is (in addition to the wonderful barn-big houses along the side streets) the diversity-on-steroids thing: the scruffy Bangladeshi outposts on McDonald and Church, all the little Mexican joints, the Russian presence, even a cute little Albanian (I think) restaurant (the Old Brick Cafe). As crazyquilted with new immigrants as “our” end of Church Avenue (nearer the Q and B), but with more dining options and a less rough vibe, especially at night. (Commercial strip more active at night, for one thing!) Unfortunately, my favorite sign was recently replaced, a variety store that sold “ELECTRONICS/DRIED FISH AND LUGGAGES.” These very factors, however, suggest that it won’t be the next Park Slope any time soon, which is either a good or a bad thing depending on how much you would rather be in Park Slope.
(Oh, plus: Green-Wood Cemetery is very close, and I love that place.) A good friend recently bought a house on E5th near Caton and is absolutely thrilled with her new digs; I sat on their porch on Halloween as a United Nations-worth of kids came by, (and some adults), all sort of dreamy with joy at this magnificent custom of ringing doorbells and getting free candy. It was essence of America, and yet unlike anything I could imagine anywhere else but Brooklyn, a delirious street party.
I’m on the WT/Kensington border…it is not going to get much in the way of happening places, there just aren’t many spaces available for commercial. Talk of a new gourmet place at Greenwood and Prospect though. We also have a great wine shop, 2 good cafes, a decent library branch, some playgrounds, good schools, an awesome community garden and CSA, and now Brancaccio’s. What I love about it over here is it is quiet and there truly is a sense of community. I also love the stables, the tennis courts and all the great stuff in the park at this end, and the awesome biking out to Coney Island.
In all, I think the area is fantastic, especially for families.
Kensington definitely doesn’t have the bars and restaurants like Prospect Heights, and the architecture is also more “muted” (one way to say it, I guess). PS 230 + 130 are solid though, if you are looking for affordable places near decent public schools, it’s a good choice.
Thanks for the responses..
Brancaccio’s Food Shop opening sounds like a great addition to the neighborhood.
Definitely not looking for the next Park Slope as I find it overwhelming, crowded and too homogeneous. However, something like Prospect Heights, where we live now – where there are one or two solid drinking, dining or just hanging out choices – would be nice, though not indispensable.
Forgot about the pedestrian walkways on Ocean Parkway, love driving by there in the summer!
I’ve lived in Kensington for over twenty years. There have been many changes in that time, all for the better. The area is very safe and offers proximity to Prospect Park as well as the the bicycle paths, bridle paths and pedestrian walkways of Ocean Parkway. There are the new restaurants on Cortelyou Rd- as well as the ethic restaurants and shops on Church Ave. Depending on where you are in Kensington you can be of equal distance from the B/Q lines and the F train. There are buses that can take you to both stations. In terms of housing it’s an interesting mix of Pre and Post War buildings as well as private homes.
It’s a great area.
Good luck to you.