Kensington vs Mission Hills (Beverly Hills, Burlingame: lease, houses, neighborhoods)

[Nicolo09]

We had started looking to rent a home in Mission Hills but have not found much available and are starting to see more become available in Kensington. These areas seem similar , besides Kensington behind further east, can the SD experts out there give me some opinions on the two locations?

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by Nicolo09

We had started looking to rent a home in Mission Hills but have not found much available and are starting to see more become available in Kensington. These areas seem similar , besides Kensington behind further east, can the SD experts out there give me some opinions on the two locations?

I believe SDurbanite and kettlepot, who are frequent posters here live in the immediate area of Kensingon and Talmadge.

For me personally, just from what I know. They are both gorgeous. I think Kensington has more of a secluded feel once you actually get into the main parts north of Adams. Lots of windy roads and super quiet. The community seems active and the houses for both areas are from about the same era. I love Kensington's little downtown shops and restaurants and it seems all the locals know each other. Its not too crazy with traffic and looks bike-able from just about any part of the neighborhood. Views along the canyon rim can be stunning. Seems like a place you can leave you door unlocked and you wont have to worry about your kids. It just has that "feel" to it, not sure if its true though. Will have to defer to the locals on that one.

Mission Hills is mixed, while its closer to the ocean, its also closer to the airplanes and noise. It is also split into two areas: North and South. The old schoolers in MIssion Hills really consider North Mission Hills to be 'proper' Mission Hills. There are some amazing homes up near Presidio and has a Beverly Hills type feel to it.
Mission HIlls is also closer to Hillcrest, Downtown and that whole Balboa Park area which is convenient. It is also busier there and can be denser in some areas.

My overall take is that between the two, Kensingston has more 'small town' feel to Mission Hills. Both are great, just comes down to how close you want to be to the action.

[Sassberto]

Both are gorgeous. Mission Hills is a mix of early twentieth century mansions, craftsman homes, canyonside modern homes. Kensington was built more as 1920-30's suburban (at the time) housing development. Both have a lot of mid-century homes squeezed in when the city rezoned and the lots were split. Kensington is larger and more removed from commercial areas and freeways, while Mission Hills, while having some very secluded streets, straddles 2 major freeways and a major arterial road.

Kensington was rediscovered in the 70's and 80's and a lot of homes there were rehabbed by a more middle class group of people, whereas Mission Hills has always skewed a bit more towards the wealthy side of things. Mission Hills has more of it's own services in the immediate area, whereas Kensington has few services and shares basic amenities with the much more crowded Normal Heights. Mission Hills generally commands a higher price point than Kensington, sometimes significantly so, and has a higher 'prestige' factor.

Downside in Mission Hills is noise, due to proximity to airport, freeways, major roads, etc. Kensington's downside is that is adjacent to City Heights.

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Both are gorgeous. Mission Hills is a mix of early twentieth century mansions, craftsman homes, canyonside modern homes. Kensington was built more as 1920-30's suburban (at the time) housing development. Both have a lot of mid-century homes squeezed in when the city rezoned and the lots were split. Kensington is larger and more removed from commercial areas and freeways, while Mission Hills, while having some very secluded streets, straddles 2 major freeways and a major arterial road.
Kensington was rediscovered in the 70's and 80's and a lot of homes there were rehabbed by a more middle class group of people, whereas Mission Hills has always skewed a bit more towards the wealthy side of things. Mission Hills has more of it's own services in the immediate area, whereas Kensington has few services and shares basic amenities with the much more crowded Normal Heights. Mission Hills generally commands a higher price point than Kensington, sometimes significantly so, and has a higher 'prestige' factor.
Downside in Mission Hills is noise, due to proximity to airport, freeways, major roads, etc. Kensington's downside is that is adjacent to City Heights.

Excellent explanation. When I was house-shopping in 1999, I first considered Mission Hills, but simpy couldn't afford it. Then, I found my 1927 home in Kensington to be just what I wanted.
What I love about Kensington is the fact that one can walk to restaurants, coffee shops, the library, the bank, and the great Ken Cinema and Kensington Video. You are also close to Mission Valley, downtown and uptown. Hop, skip and jump to the 15, 805 and 8 freeways.
Lots of great, down-to-earth folks.

[Desertdarlene]

I actually like Kensington with all the trees and tree-lined street and nice shops and stores. Talmadge is mostly nice, too.

[madegood]

Mission Hills, Kensington, and Burlingame are probably the most walkable upscale areas in the city. Mission Hills is bordered by Hillcrest, Little Italy, Old Town/Morena, and Mission Valley so you have to make some effort to get to the rougher parts of town from there. From the other two places...not so much.

[Nicolo09]

Thanks for all of the detailed comments, it certainly gives me a better feel of the area than I originally had.

[sdurbanite]

As a Kensingtonian myself, I really can't add to all the good things that have already been said about both neighborhoods! You might want to also check into Burlingame, Morley Field, Bankers Hill/Park West, South Park and Point Loma since they all have a similar look and feel of MH and Kensington. Good luck!

[sdurbanite]

Originally Posted by PollyGlott

Excellent explanation. When I was house-shopping in 1999, I first considered Mission Hills, but simpy couldn't afford it. Then, I found my 1927 home in Kensington to be just what I wanted.
What I love about Kensington is the fact that one can walk to restaurants, coffee shops, the library, the bank, and the great Ken Cinema and Kensington Video. You are also close to Mission Valley, downtown and uptown. Hop, skip and jump to the 15, 805 and 8 freeways.
Lots of great, down-to-earth folks.

Except to say that my house was built in 1928, I could have posted the above!

[Nicolo09]

Thanks for all of the help, we did sign a lease in Kensington and are moving down in June. All of the info was very much appreciated!