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Madelyn Ward housing

Rent vs buy in Clarkston -what makes sense?

So, It's a a small town city with about 14,560 people. Crime rate is something to consider -Clarkston sits at 568.5 per 100K. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Does this match your experience? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
2 upvotes

6 Replies

Nicholas F.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value traffic, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely underrated and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Uptown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
38 upvotes
Jacob Hernandez
I've lived in Greenfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- The school system scene is decent

The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited

Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Aiden Young
good to know, thanks
23 upvotes
Ariana C.
nah I disagree
5 upvotes
Leo W.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.

I've been here 13 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is pretty good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Claire
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much competitive but now it's surprisingly good.
4 upvotes
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