New world diversity meets an old school feel in this thoroughly residential area.

In the 1850s, Frederick Law Olmsted designed Ocean Parkway and thus began the transformation of this area from farmland to residential, naming the neighborhood after the London borough to give it a feeling of distinction. Today the road still serves, along with Church Ave. and Coney Island Ave., as a major thoroughfare. Housing development accelerated in the 1920s, while the of-the-world feel came at the end of the 20th century.

 

 

Primarily residential, Kensington offers quiet streets — some with beautiful old Victorians. In between, you’ll find parks, schools, and a slowly evolving mix of businesses on the major thoroughfares. The architecture and slower pace can make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

 

Myriad families have settled here, bringing traditions with them. The area may be quiet but it’s filled with life. Afternoons are spent playing chess on Ocean Parkway and bars are few and far between.

 

Between the low skyline, multi-level detached homes and apartments that feature true storage space, you’ll relish the breathing room — especially when commuting from the city’s denser neighborhoods.

 

From detached Victorian homes to apartment buildings, you’ve got options, with lower prices per square foot than trendier Brooklyn neighborhoods. The southern end of the neighborhood, off Ocean Parkway, has seen an influx of new apartments.