Palisades resident here. Palisades and Kent are distinct, but most folks lump them together. I used to live in “Kent” and now live in Palisades proper — even when living in Kent I referred to it all as the Palisades.

As for your questions and others’ comments:

1. Yes, the NIMBY is strong here, but it’s getting better. Our ANC recently approved a recommendation to DDOT a bike lane on Arizona Ave, for example. Baby steps!
2. Some great restaurants in walking distance. Bistro Aracosia for Afghan. Et Voila for French/Belgian. Sweet Agave for Mexican. Lupo Verde for Italian. Black Coffee for breakfast/brunch. Black Salt for seafood. European Market is farther down MacArthur but has excellent pizza. Most places have good drink menus and happy hours. Most options are not inexpensive, unfortunately. There are also a fair number of other shops and restaurants I haven’t mentioned.
3. Two good corner stores in Mac Market and MiMi’s
4. MacArthur Beverages (Addy Bassin’s) is the best wine shop in DC and can give great recs regardless of your price range. Excellent liquor and nicely curated beer selection, as well.
5. Great Farmers Market on Sunday mornings near the CVS.
6. Buna Bikes is a nice local bike repair shop that also serves coffee/espressos
7. “Palisades Hub” at the site of Palisades Community Church hosts community events.
8. Palisades Park has a nice playground and fields for various sports plus an indoor rec center
9. Multiple access points to Capital Cresent Trail and C&O Canal for biking/walking (can bike down to Georgetown and beyond or up to Downtown Bethesda), as well as just walking by the river or down to Fletcher’s Boathouse
10. Key Elementary is good, with strong community involvement.
11. Not much nightlife, unfortunately (hello NIMBYs)

I’d be happy to answer any more questions.