Kensington

Located between North Philadelphia and the Lower Northeast, Kensington is an older Philadelphia neighborhood offering very low rent prices – primarily because it is not a desirable area to live in.

The population is a mix of Caucasians, Hispanics and African Americans. Typical Philadelphia row homes line the streets, but many are in poor condition or abandoned. A handful of homeowners frequently attempt to revitalize the area and keep their blocks clean; unfortunately most do not, which contributes to the unkempt appearance of the neighborhood.

SEPTA services the area via the Market-Frankford Line and numerous bus routes; however it is not a place you wish to walk alone at night. Crime rates are extremely high, and the corner of Kensington Avenue and Somerset Street has been listed as one of the top recreational drug corners in the city.

Overall, Kensington is in need of major revitalization and gentrification, which has not yet reached the area. If low real estate prices are what you seek, there are many other areas that are safer, accessible and have better schools, all at comparable costs.

Having lived in Kensington for a year, I grew to know this neighborhood fairly well. While it's not the nicest or the safest neighborhood in the city (hard to find one of those!) Kensington definitely has its perks. A relatively small neighborhood, Kensington is tightly packed between Northern Liberties, Fishtown and Port Richmond.

If you're moving to this area, stay close to Fishtown and Northern Liberties, as these are the nicer and safer streets. Be cautious at night walking alone, and absolutely never leave car doors or house doors unlocked. If you're aware of your surroundings, you'll be ok.


Because properties are so inexpensive in this area, there seems to be an influx of remodels and new, eco-friendly buildings popping up left and right. This makes for an interesting dynamic with older row homes standing next to super modern, newly built townhouses. This area is great for renters, who can find affordable townhouses or great industrial loft apartments for much less than in Center City. Getting into the city is quite easy from Kensington with the El running right downtown with three stops along Front Street in Kensington.

The nightlife and restaurant scene continues to grow, and residents of this neighborhood are loyal patrons to certain spots. Bigger named chefs are realizing this area is up-and-coming as well, with names like Stephen Starr moving in on Frankford Avenue.

Kensington is one of those neighbors when you hear its name you think “I am not going.” Once, a major part of the textile industry the neighborhood is now considered one of the poorest. Today many of the buildings are abandoned or just in terrible shape.
The area is inexpensive, partially because the houses are in bad shape, you are likely to rent from a slumlord and also because it is a dangerous neighborhood to live in. The crime rate is high in Kensington with assaults and murders making headlines at an alarming rate, with the most recent news of the “Kensington Strangler” sending residents into a panic. Drug use and dealing is ramped with a corner in the neighborhood recently listed as number one on the “top ten list of recreational drug corners.”
Illegal activity is the only thing that ever stands out about Kensington. If there is a positive nightlife I have to hear about it. Sadly, there seems to be more reason to move out of Kensington than there is to move to Kensington. I wish I could say something good about the neighborhood but every time I have been there I have left as quickly as possible.