Hi all, I grew up here but left for a while. With a population of 19,746, Clifton is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -Clifton sits at 476.9 per 100K. The median home value here is around $234,200, which is actually reasonable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
2 upvotes
11 Replies
indy_mason
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is food scene. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Roman G.
honestly same experience here
25 upvotes
Jonathan Ward
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Internet is decent in most areas.
25 upvotes
aiden_guy
been saying this for years
23 upvotes
Brooks Kim
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. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's hit or miss.
21 upvotes
Landon D.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Boston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were school and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are developing, gas is underrated.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
19 upvotes
houston_zoe
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 57, moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City. I've lived in Sunset and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Urban sprawl is real
3. The community vibe situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- West: 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 Salt Lake City, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. 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.
12 upvotes
ruby_heart
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 1 years. Moved from Austin for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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