South Kensington is known for being the location of the famous Washington D.C. Temple, informally yet steadfastly known to longtime area residents as the Mormon Temple. At certain points, while rounding I-495 (also known as the Capital Beltway), it's impossible not to notice a gleaming white building standing out from the hills and treetops that line each side of the interstate. Following the brilliant sight leads you right to South Kensington, a little place with a whole bunch of history.
The Kensington area originally functioned as a less humid alternative for prominent turn-of-the-century D.C. residents and visitors. To this day, it's not uncommon to hear Washingtonians refer to the whole D.C. area as a swamp and it can get extremely humid. Back in the day, portions of Kensington, including South Kensington, were sought-after havana where visitors and residents could escape this overbearing weather. Eventually, people started buying land and staking claims. Eventually, this former garden suburb became a full-blown city and South Kensington was born out of Greater Kensington. South Kensington is part of the Greater Kensington area. Located in the southern section of Montgomery County, South Kensington shares its border with Bethesda and is only about 10 miles away from Washington, D.C. As is the case for many residents of the D.C. metropolitan area, many of the people living in South Kensington are federal employees and work in some capacity for the government. Public transportation is a vital method of getting around the region and several nearby Metro hubs, as well as a MARC station, are only part of what make South Kensington a great place to live.
Moving to South Kensington
South Kensington is fed by the ubiquitous Connecticut Avenue, one of the largest thoroughfares in the entire D.C. area. That creates a nifty cushion of convenience when you need to hightail it to any area within the metropolis. However, that also creates a ton of traffic because many area residents trying to avoid Capital Beltway traffic will opt for such roads to get to work. In fact, an estimated 60,000 vehicles traverse "Conn Ave." through Greater Kensington on a daily basis. For a town with an estimated population of just shy of 8,470 people, that's a lot of automotive activity going on. However, many of those motorists are just passing through. South Kensington residents sometimes take the opposite approach.
Would-be residents have plenty of choices when looking for rental apartments in South Kensington. The city boasts a solid variety of 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments, as well as larger townhouses for renters in need of more square footage. If you're considering a move here, leave at least a month to locate your ideal property. In addition, prepare all the necessary documentation ahead of time. Landlords will want to see a photo ID, pay stubs (or other proof of employment), and possibly a credit report. Hot properties get snapped up quickly, and it pays to be prepared.
Neighborhoods in South Kensington
South Kensington doesn't cover a lot of square miles. It's best to look for housing by direction (north, east, south, west). Choosing where to live will depend on your rental needs. If you're searching for townhouses to rent, you may be better off putting your search efforts into certain areas. If you're trying to find studio apartments for rent, your luck may pan out in a completely different area altogether. The smattering of property rentals are scattered throughout the town, so you will have to look around, using Connecticut Avenue as a compass. There's not much ground to cover though, so this can be done within a relatively short amount of time.
Northwest: The northwest section of South Kensington is defined by Plyers Mill Road to the north and the long, winding Beach Drive to the west. This area encompasses Kensington Parkwood Elementary School. Here's a good rule of thumb to keep close to the vest about many Montgomery County schools. Where there's a school, there's probably a single-family home or townhome subdivision nearby. So, if it's a rental townhouse you're looking for, you may want to look around here.
Northeast: In the northeastern portion of South Kensington, the hunt for rental apts may yield more results. A few, main local roads run through this area and main roads mean visibility. Feel free to sail up and down these corridors and don't be surprised if you see a few apts for rent along the way.
Southern: The southern section of South Kensington is very commercial. However, that doesn't mean it will deter your find apartment mission. There are quite a few places where you have to look beyond the surface. What looks like a single-family home or townhouse on the surface, may actually house an apartment or two. Yet, in the commercial section, the odds decrease because zoning doesn't typically permit residential living in areas that are designated for business.
South Kensington Overall
No matter what you're looking for, don't be afraid to canvass residential neighborhoods for a house, townhouse, or apartment. South Kensington is eclectic and you never know what you might find. Explore, explore, explore. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised.
Living in South Kensington
People here tend to embrace what some consider a slightly ascetic lifestyle. For instance, if pedestrian traffic will suffice, locals tend to ignore their cars. Well, if it's a nice day and the destination is close by, at least. One good rainstorm might send any well-intended South Kensington resident craving the dry comfort of a dastardly gas guzzler. The weekly local farmers market is a great place to buy locally grown and organic foods. There are a few artisan vendors that offer up trendy fare, too. To sum it up, South Kensington is a little crunchy, but not too crunchy.
Most cities in Montgomery County place a high value on green practices. This is particularly true in a place like South Kensington. So, before you make your move, become extremely proficient in the art of trash recycling. Seriously, practice separating glass, plastic, styrofoam and the rest. HOAs are big here and, on top of state and municipal laws, you could find yourself facing a fine. Don't let it scare you, though. Once you get used to it, you will probably start to appreciate how your singular efforts help make the world a healthier place. You may even start to love granola.
