Anyone else feel this way? We're a young couple and You can expect to pay around $3,501 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is about average. Rent is about $3,501/month for a decent place. With a population of 10,962, Clayton is a small town. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Would love some local perspective. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
4 upvotes
8 Replies
Hazel Evans
Came here for school and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The walkability is honestly pretty good and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
31 upvotes
Austin K.
As someone who grew up here, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much established but now it's solid.
30 upvotes
Claire
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
27 upvotes
Samuel Moore
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 57, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
21 upvotes
Julia Long
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
17 upvotes
Nicholas Stewart
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are solid, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Melanie Alvarez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is housing market. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
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