Living in Claremont

Where Claremont Sits in the Foothills

Claremont is at the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, along the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. La Verne borders it to the west, Pomona to the south, and Upland and Montclair sit just across the county line to the east in San Bernardino County.

The city is home to the Claremont Colleges, a group of seven institutions: Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute. The campuses sit just east of the downtown village and shape much of the city’s layout, architecture and cultural calendar.

Mature street trees, older residential blocks and a compact downtown give Claremont a settled, unhurried character. The foothills to the north add trail access and mountain views from many parts of town.

Claremont Neighborhoods and Housing Styles

Housing in Claremont varies a great deal by location, era and lot size. A few broad areas help organize the city.

The Village and Surrounding Streets

The blocks around the Claremont Village hold some of the city’s oldest homes, including Craftsman bungalows and period revival styles on tree-shaded streets. Many of these homes are within walking distance of shops, restaurants, the colleges and the Metrolink station.

North Claremont

North of Foothill Boulevard, the city climbs toward the mountains. This area includes many mid-century and later ranch-style homes, larger lots in some sections and closer access to the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park and other foothill trails.

Padua Hills and Hillside Areas

Along the upper foothills, the Padua Hills area and nearby hillside streets offer elevated lots, custom homes and views across the valley. Terrain, lot shape and view lines vary from street to street, which affects both the homes and their pricing.

South Claremont

South of the Village toward Interstate 10, neighborhoods include ranch homes, planned tracts and some townhome and condominium communities. Proximity to the freeway makes this part of the city practical for regular commuting.

Because Claremont’s housing stock is so varied, comparing homes requires looking closely at age, condition, lot size and location rather than relying on a citywide figure.

The Claremont Village and Downtown

The Claremont Village is the city’s downtown, a grid of walkable streets with independent shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries and services. Its layout makes it practical to park once and spend an afternoon on foot.

Village West extends the downtown toward the west, anchored by the Packing House, a converted citrus packing building that now holds restaurants and shops. The historic Santa Fe depot, which serves as the Claremont Metrolink station, sits at the edge of the Village and links the downtown directly to rail service.

The Village also hosts a weekly farmers and artisans market, along with seasonal events throughout the year. Memorial Park, a short walk north of the Village, provides open lawns, mature trees and space for community gatherings.

Parks, Trails and Things to Do

Outdoor access is one of the most practical parts of living in Claremont. Several options are close to home.

• Claremont Hills Wilderness Park: a foothill park with a well known loop trail, fire roads and views over the valley. It is one of the most used trailheads in the area, so early starts are common on weekends.
• Thompson Creek Trail: a paved path through north Claremont used for walking, running and cycling.
• California Botanic Garden: a large garden devoted to California native plants, located next to the colleges.
• Mount Baldy: Mount Baldy Road climbs into the San Gabriel Mountains a short drive from town, leading to hiking trails and seasonal snow.

Cultural options come largely from the colleges. The Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, campus galleries, lectures and performances at venues such as Bridges Auditorium add to the city’s calendar. Many college events are open to the public.

Neighboring cities expand the list further. La Verne, Upland and Pomona each add their own dining, parks and event venues within a short drive.

Getting Around Claremont and the Region

Claremont offers more transportation choices than many foothill cities.

Freeways

Interstate 10 runs along the southern part of the city, connecting west toward downtown Los Angeles and east toward the Inland Empire. The 210 Freeway crosses the northern part of Claremont, linking to Pasadena in one direction and San Bernardino in the other. Foothill Boulevard, part of historic Route 66, runs east and west through the middle of town.

Rail

The Claremont Metrolink station, in the Village, is on the San Bernardino Line, with service toward Los Angeles Union Station to the west and San Bernardino to the east. For anyone commuting into downtown Los Angeles, the train is an alternative to freeway traffic.

Bus and Air

Foothill Transit operates bus routes through Claremont and surrounding cities. Ontario International Airport is a short drive east, which makes air travel considerably more convenient than routing through larger airports to the west.

Walking and Biking

The Village, the colleges and nearby residential streets are close together, so many daily errands can be handled on foot or by bike, depending on where you live.

Cost of Living in Claremont CA

Housing is the largest factor in the cost of living in Claremont CA, and prices vary widely by neighborhood, home age, condition and lot size. A Craftsman near the Village, a ranch home in north Claremont and a hillside custom home in Padua Hills can sit in very different price ranges.

Several other factors shape ongoing costs:

• Property taxes: under California’s Proposition 13, assessed value is generally set at the time of purchase, with limited annual increases. Local assessments can add to the total, so the tax bill differs from property to property.
• Homeowners association dues: these apply mainly to condominiums, townhomes and some planned communities. Many single-family homes in Claremont have no association.
• Insurance: homes near the foothills may face different insurance considerations than homes in the flatter parts of the city. It is worth getting quotes early in the buying process.
• Utilities and maintenance: older homes, mature trees and larger lots can bring higher upkeep and water use.
• Transportation: Metrolink access and walkable areas can reduce driving costs for some households, depending on commute patterns.

If you already own a home in the area and want to understand where it stands today, a home value estimate is a useful starting point.

Buying or Selling a Home in Claremont

Claremont’s mix of historic homes, foothill properties and newer communities means pricing depends heavily on detail. Two homes a few blocks apart can differ in lot size, view, condition and original construction, and each of those affects value.

Buyers often compare Claremont with nearby La Verne, which shares a similar foothill setting. You can browse La Verne homes for sale to see how the two cities compare.

Nick Abbadessa of RE/MAX Masters Realty has worked full time in real estate for 22 years, with more than $1.3 billion in closed sales. He is a Certified Real Estate Negotiator and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist. If you are preparing to list, you can learn more about selling your home with Nick, or contact Nick with questions about a specific Claremont property.