Tips for families looking to move to Kensington,MD
Kensington,Maryland,is home to a thriving community. There are so many things to do and see in Kensington,MD,it’s no surprise it’s a popular place to settle down. It’s also a popular destination for families looking for a safe,quiet neighborhood with great schools. With so many choices,it’s hard to choose. Here are some things to consider when choosing a neighborhood:
Safety and Crime
Kensington is an affluent neighborhood. But like many neighborhoods in Montgomery County,it has experienced an increase in crime. According to Montgomery County Police Department data,there have been 1,944 property crimes reported between January 2017 and January 2019,and 1,852 violent crimes.
While crime is often reported in the news,it’s important to keep in mind that crime rates fluctuate throughout the year. So while an increase in crime in one year doesn’t necessarily mean that crime is increasing in the area,it’s good to be aware of the current crime trends.
The safety of your family should be your top concern. While it’s impossible to know what will happen to any specific family,statistics indicate that the risk of becoming a victim of a violent crime in the United States is higher than ever. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey,the risk of becoming a victim of a violent crime increased by more than 30% between 2008 and 2018.
With that being said,it’s important to be realistic about your family’s safety. You can’t control how other families choose to behave. If you’re looking to make sure your family is safe,it’s helpful to be aware of the neighborhood you’re considering,and to talk to neighbors and your realtor about the area.
You should also talk to your realtor about how crime patterns affect the neighborhood. For example,if you’re looking to buy a house,it’s important to know if there are high crime areas nearby. A realtor may be able to tell you which streets are more dangerous than others,and where you would be most likely to encounter crime.
Schools
Kensington has some of the best schools in the county. All of the schools in Kensington are considered “excellent” or “good.” According to Montgomery County Public Schools,100% of the schools in the district are performing well,and 97% of students are on track to graduate.
Kensington is also home to several private schools. The most notable of these is The Kensington School,which is a co-ed school with grades K-12.
Transportation
Kensington is close to many major transportation hubs. It’s located near the intersection of the Capital Beltway,US 50,and Route 895. These highways offer quick access to the Washington Metro,as well as Metrorail,the Washington and Baltimore regional rail lines,and the Maryland Transit Administration.
Montgomery County also offers a number of bus routes that connect Kensington to the rest of the county. The Silver Spring Transit Center,which is located at the corner of University Boulevard and Rockville Pike,offers connections to Metro,the Silver Spring and Wheaton trolley lines,and the Green Line.
The Silver Spring Transit Center also serves as a hub for several bus routes operated by the County of Montgomery.
Real Estate Costs
Although the median sale price for homes in Kensington is around $1.6 million,the area isn’t particularly affordable for everyone. According to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau,the median income in Kensington was $132,100 in 2018. That’s higher than the median income in Maryland ($131,600),but it’s lower than the median income in the United States ($54,872).
So while Kensington is a desirable neighborhood,it’s also one of the more expensive ones in the county. It may be worth it to look at the real estate market to see if there are any homes available that would work better for your family.
Neighborhoods to Consider
Kensington has a variety of neighborhoods,and each one has its own advantages. For example,The District,Kensington Crest,and Kensington Woods are all part of the District Neighborhood Association,and they all have different amenities.
Kensington Crest is a neighborhood on the south side of the district that includes both single-family homes and townhomes.
Kensington Woods is a more exclusive neighborhood that sits on a large plot of land. It’s a gated community with a pool and tennis courts. The homes are on the larger side,with three bedrooms or more.
The District is the most diverse of the three neighborhoods,and it’s often referred to as the “heart” of the district. It’s a neighborhood with both single-family homes and townhouses. Homes in this area tend to be smaller,and the lots are bigger. The houses are generally newer,and some of them are on the larger side.