Cambridge and Kentwood is a community southwest of downtown Kent. "If I lived here, I would say I live in West Hill Kent or the Lake Fenwick area," says Bryan Nelson, a real estate broker with Better Home and Gardens Real Estate. "It's a pretty good neighborhood; my clients love it. It's close to shopping and freeways, and Lake Fenwick Park is right down the street." He says West Hill is better than East Hill for glimpses of Mount Rainier.
Many of the homes in Cambridge and Kentwood date to the 1960s or '70s. According to Nelson, some were designed in the "Cambridge style." Though not necessarily referring to architectural styles in the U.K. and Massachusetts cities, "Cambridge" can refer to structural designs incorporating open floor plans and Craftsman elements, such as roof gables and porches. Other home types seen in the neighborhood, including those added after the 1970s, are split levels, ramblers, Cape Cods and contemporaries. Single-family homes dominate the market here, though few are likely to be for sale at a time. Over a year, as of April 2025, home sales were mainly in the $500,000s to $700,000s. A remodeled home with nine bedrooms cost $1 million.
The general absence of homeowners associations attracts some buyers. "In nicer neighborhoods, it's one of the first things agents ask: 'Is there an HOA?' So not having an HOA is a huge deal," Nelson says. "I will literally not buy a house if there's an HOA; that's a deal breaker for me." Neighbors join together to represent the community through the West Hill Cambridge Neighborhood Council, which is officially registered with Kent. The council covers an area north of South 272nd Street, south of Reith Road and east of Interstate 5. Activities facilitated by the council include neighborhood cleanups, collective yard sales and participation in National Night Out in August. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
On the southwest side of the neighborhood, Glenn Nelson Park has a playground, a shady path and facilities for baseball, pickleball and tennis. Lake Fenwick is east of Cambridge and Kentwood. The long, narrow lake has a public boat launch and is stocked with fish, though the water quality is monitored. Besides fishing, other popular activities on the water are kayaking and paddleboarding. Lake Fenwick Park, on the lake's north end, has a boat launch and forested trails. "It's beautiful out there. The park is pretty cool. It has a huge disc golf course, one of the best in the area," Nelson says.
Federal Way, Des Moines and downtown Kent are all within 5 miles of Cambridge and Kentwood. "It's really centralized. It's within an hour of Seattle and, if you're lucky, within an hour down to Olympia and a little over an hour to Snoqualmie Pass," Nelson says.The neighborhood lacks sidewalks, but it's walkable in terms of low traffic, partly due to curving or short streets, which may have cul-de-sacs. The neighborhood's west side is adjacent to I-5, so residents may experience some noise. Military Road, close to I-5, has King County Metro bus stops for a route from Kent to Federal Way. People can head downtown to Kent Station for commuter rail service on the Sounder S Line, which runs from Seattle to Lakewood or Tacoma. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, commonly known as Sea-Tac, is about 7 miles away.
Shopping centers are a couple of miles west, off state Route 99. One has Piroshky Piroshky for Eastern European baked goods, restaurant Mazar Cuisine for Afghan dishes, La Malinche Tienda Mexicana and a Grocery Outlet. Farther north on SR-99 are other options, including Stimpy's Sports Bar and Grill and a Fred Meyers. For more, Kent Station shopping mall has over 50 businesses, including brand-name stores, diverse restaurants and an AMC movie theater. Town Square Plaza hosts the Kent Farmers Market on Saturdays in the summer.
Though residential mailing addresses are for Kent, the area is zoned to the Federal Way Public Schools district. Star Lake Elementary School earns a B-minus grade from Niche, and Evergreen Middle School receives a C. Thomas Jefferson High School has a B grade and provides Career and Technical Education classes in more than a dozen career clusters. College credits may be available.
The district's choice enrollment program works through a lottery system for schools such as the Federal Way Public Academy, a challenging college preparatory school for sixth through tenth grades; TAF@Saghalie, a STEM-centric school for sixth through 12th grade; and the Career Academy at Truman Campus, which innovates learning at the high school level through projects and internships. There also are several K-8 schools.
Lanae Miller
KW Mountains to Sound Realty
(206) 693-4209
62 Total Sales
5 in Cambridge and Kentwood
$520K - $670K Price Range
Sophia Yazaryan-Cosola
John L. Scott, Inc.
(253) 796-8411
216 Total Sales
1 in Cambridge and Kentwood
$890,000 Price
Tamara Paul
RE/MAX Northwest
(206) 483-2630
160 Total Sales
1 in Cambridge and Kentwood
$450,000 Price
Alec Klasna Woodward
COMPASS
(206) 558-1169
157 Total Sales
1 in Cambridge and Kentwood
$629,950 Price
Ryan Runge
American Classic Homes
(206) 888-6713
158 Total Sales
2 in Cambridge and Kentwood
$460K - $570K Price Range
Gretchen Allen
RE/MAX Northwest
(206) 739-0232
96 Total Sales
1 in Cambridge and Kentwood
$565,000 Price
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Cambridge and Kentwood | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 2 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 2 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 2 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Cambridge and Kentwood, Kent sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Cambridge and Kentwood, Kent over the last 12 months is $379,000.
$635,000
This 4 bedroom home in the desirable Cambridge neighborhood in Kent's W. Hill offers incredible value for the money. Your cosmetic upgrades and sweat equity will bring instant rewards! 15 minutes from SeaTac and close to shopping, transit, recreational parks and lakes and one mile from the Star Lake Light Rail station (open in '26). I-5, 167 and 405 are easily accessed so commuting is a snap. The
Kim Davis Alta Homes
$650,000
Move in today. Great home, Kent West Hill, fully fenced and excellent Cul de sac location with off street parking. Make the most of this updated kitchen w/ ample storage and breakfast bar. Entertain on your beautiful deck overlooking fenced yard and tree house. Living room complimented w/wood fireplace and bay window/bench. Main bedroom w/en suite bath +2 bedrooms on main level. Lower level
Neeley Durkee Keller Williams Realty PS
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
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