Been meaning to ask this. My partner and I are Average temperature is around 60--F, so the weather is moderate. Crime rate is something to consider -Clayton sits at 167.8 per 100K. With a population of 28,043, Clayton is a smaller city. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The weather takes some getting used to.
26 upvotes
13 Replies
Carter Walker
Weather-wise, the summers are hit or miss and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Waylon Jackson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
38 upvotes
Hudson Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 42, moved here 9 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Downtown and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Property taxes are high
3. The cost of living situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 San Diego, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
38 upvotes
mia_rider
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Tampa, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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
Mason Campbell
preach
37 upvotes
Isla Harris
exactly what I was thinking
26 upvotes
Everett
I've lived in The Heights for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. No regrets on my end..
22 upvotes
Wesley Cook
Bought a house here in 2016 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
21 upvotes
Scarlett Kim
hard disagree but ok
19 upvotes
Paisley Brown
Used to live on the Midtown side, now on the Meadowbrook side. Completely different vibe. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
17 upvotes
Aria Turner
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Hope this helps!.
14 upvotes
Isabelle Clark
This.
12 upvotes
Katherine Taylor
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Pine Hills area are tough. Kids love it here.
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