Hey, I'm retired and Poverty rate is 6.4%, which is pretty low. Rent is about $1,648/month for a decent place. Household incomes average around $128,898 in Clayton. The weather takes some getting used to. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
Pros:
- Close to nature
- Low taxes
- Strong sense of community
- Plenty of shopping options
- Active local events
Cons:
- Limited public transit
- High property taxes
- Lack of diversity
- Poor road conditions
Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
12 upvotes
13 Replies
Gianna Torres
As someone who grew up here, it's not perfect but it works for me. A lot has changed in the past few years though. dating scene used to be much affordable but now it's hit or miss.
39 upvotes
Kai Mendoza
facts
35 upvotes
Eleanor R.
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Michael Reyes
+1
24 upvotes
Kai S.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Denver and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Greenfield. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 18 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
23 upvotes
Jameson Kim
Bought a house here in 2019 and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
23 upvotes
Ruby R.
I'm a project manager and I've found I love the pace of life here. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
14 upvotes
Alexander M.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a chef who relocated here from San Francisco about 14 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Strong job market in several industries
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are competitive, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Aria R.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 9 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the traffic is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is better than expected.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
7 upvotes
Ian Martin
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Meadowbrook. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in tech. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Connor White
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 4 years. Moved from Denver for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is challenging. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Can feel isolated. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Jack
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it was the best decision I ever made. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
3 upvotes
Victoria Mendoza
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Fairview. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like sushi.
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