With a population of 38,153, Clovis is a smaller city. Household incomes average around $54,029 in Clovis. Homes are going for about $160,000 on average. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. I'd say it's better for families than young singles.
Pros:
- Friendly people
- Nice parks and trails
- Good healthcare facilities
- Plenty of shopping options
- Active local events
Cons:
- Cold winters
- Limited nightlife
- Not very walkable
- Limited dining options
- Limited cultural events
There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
1 upvotes
14 Replies
Sophie Rogers
this is the way
39 upvotes
Jayden R.
Came here for school and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The public transit is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
37 upvotes
Isaiah Davis
Used to live on the East side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
33 upvotes
Emmett Torres
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were weather and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are manageable, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Miles Lee
Hot take but it's exactly what I was looking for. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
30 upvotes
Jason R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is tough in most areas.
24 upvotes
Hailey Anderson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is decent in most areas.
23 upvotes
Jace Thomas
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 56, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. I've lived in The Heights and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The nightlife situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: 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 Boston, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $50K-$110K 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.
21 upvotes
Colton Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 37, moved here 3 years ago from Denver. I've lived in The Heights and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Winters are long and cold
3. The safety situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Denver, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
19 upvotes
Michael Davis
I've been living here for 11 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is excellent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
18 upvotes
Leonardo
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Colton Jimenez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 14 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is solid - we have mountains 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 tough. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Not very walkable outside downtown. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
10 upvotes
Oliver Chavez
Moved here from Salt Lake City about 15 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to school system but Feel free to reach out with questions..
8 upvotes
Nathan P.
Used to live on the Lakewood side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.