Living in Claremont

Living in Claremont CA at a Glance

Claremont sits on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. La Verne borders it to the west, Pomona to the south, and Upland and Montclair to the east. The San Gabriel Mountains rise directly to the north, and on clear days Mount Baldy is visible from most of the city.

The city grew around citrus groves and the colleges, and both still shape its layout. Mature street trees line many residential blocks, the historic downtown is compact and walkable, and the Claremont Colleges occupy a large campus area just east of the Village.

Public schools are served by Claremont Unified School District. The city has its own police department and a network of neighborhood parks, plus a large wilderness park in the foothills.

Claremont Neighborhoods and Housing Styles

Claremont does not have dozens of formally branded subdivisions. Instead, housing tends to change by area, age and distance from the foothills. Knowing those general zones makes a home search easier.

The Village and Nearby Older Streets

The blocks around the Village and the colleges hold some of the oldest homes in the city. Expect Craftsman bungalows, Spanish revival homes, cottages and early twentieth century architecture on tree-lined streets. Lots vary, and many homes have been updated over the decades. Proximity to the Metrolink station and downtown shops is the main draw of this area.

North Claremont and the Foothills

North of Foothill Boulevard, the terrain rises toward the mountains. Homes here include mid-century designs, single-level ranch homes and later custom builds, often on larger lots. Some streets have mountain views, and the area near Padua Hills sits close to the foothill trails. Homes in hillside and wildland edge areas may carry additional insurance and fire safety considerations worth reviewing early.

Central and South Claremont

Between Foothill Boulevard and Interstate 10 you will find a mix of postwar tracts, single-family homes from the 1960s and 1970s, and townhome and condominium communities. Southern parts of the city sit closer to the freeway, which shortens drive times toward Ontario and Los Angeles.

Condos and Townhomes

Attached housing is spread across the city rather than concentrated in one area. Many communities have shared amenities such as pools and landscaped common areas, with association dues that vary by community.

The Claremont Village and Downtown

The Village is Claremont’s historic downtown, centered roughly on Indian Hill Boulevard, Yale Avenue and First Street. Its grid of short blocks holds independent shops, restaurants, cafes, a movie theater and service businesses. Most visitors park once and walk.

The Claremont Depot, a restored Santa Fe railroad station, anchors the south side of the Village and serves as the Metrolink stop. West of Indian Hill Boulevard, the Packing House is a former citrus packing building converted into restaurants and shops, a direct link to the city’s agricultural past.

A weekly farmers and artisans market sets up in the Village, and the downtown hosts seasonal events throughout the year. For homeowners nearby, the Village works as an everyday errand and dining area rather than only a weekend destination.

Parks, Trails and Outdoor Things to Do

Outdoor access is one of the defining features of Claremont. The foothills begin at the northern edge of the city, so trails are minutes from most homes.

• Claremont Hills Wilderness Park: A large foothill park with a popular loop trail on fire roads. The main trailhead is at the north end of Mills Avenue. Weekend mornings are busy, so many hikers go early or on weekdays.
• Thompson Creek Trail: A paved path in north Claremont used for walking, running and cycling.
• California Botanic Garden: Formerly known as Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, it is dedicated to California native plants and offers walking paths, classes and seasonal plant sales.
• Mount Baldy access: Mount Baldy Road leads north into the San Gabriel Mountains for hiking and winter snow trips, with a short drive from Claremont.

The city also maintains neighborhood parks with sports fields, playgrounds and picnic areas, along with a public pool and community programs run by the city’s recreation department.

Arts, Culture and the Claremont Colleges

The Claremont Colleges are a consortium of undergraduate and graduate schools on adjoining campuses: Pomona College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Scripps College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute.

The campuses add a steady calendar of public lectures, concerts, theater productions and art exhibitions. The Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College is located near the Village. Campus grounds, with their gardens and historic buildings, are also a common place for walks.

Beyond the colleges, Claremont has a dinner theater, galleries and public art throughout the Village. The combination gives the city a cultural calendar that extends well beyond its size.

Getting Around Claremont

Claremont has more transportation options than many foothill cities, which is a practical consideration when living in Claremont CA and commuting elsewhere in the region.

• Interstate 10: The San Bernardino Freeway runs through the southern part of the city, connecting west toward Los Angeles and east toward the Inland Empire.
• State Route 210: The Foothill Freeway crosses the northern part of the city, connecting west toward Pasadena and east toward Rancho Cucamonga and beyond.
• Metrolink: The San Bernardino Line stops at the Claremont Depot in the Village, with service to Los Angeles Union Station.
• Foothill Boulevard: The historic Route 66 corridor runs east and west through the city and links Claremont to La Verne, Glendora and Upland.
• Ontario International Airport: Located a short drive east, it offers domestic flights without the drive into Los Angeles.

Foothill Transit buses serve the area, and the Village and college campuses are easy to navigate on foot or by bicycle. Drive times vary with traffic, so test your actual commute at the hours you would travel.

Cost of Living in Claremont

Housing is the largest factor in the cost of living in Claremont. Prices vary widely by neighborhood, lot size, age of the home and level of updating. A condominium in central Claremont and a custom home in the foothills can sit at very different points in the market.

Several factors are worth reviewing for any specific property:

• Property taxes: Under California law, the assessed value is generally based on the purchase price, plus any local voter-approved assessments that apply to the parcel.
• Homeowners insurance: Premiums and availability can differ for homes near the foothills and wildland areas.
• Association dues: Condo and townhome communities charge dues that cover shared maintenance and amenities.
• Utilities and landscaping: Larger lots and mature trees can mean higher water and maintenance costs.

If you already own a home in the area and want a starting point, a home value estimate gives a quick read on where your property may stand. Buyers comparing nearby options sometimes also look at La Verne homes for sale, since the two cities share a border and similar foothill access.

Buying or Selling a Home in Claremont

Claremont’s housing varies block by block, so pricing a home here takes careful comparison of age, architecture, lot and location. A Craftsman near the Village and a ranch home north of Foothill Boulevard rarely compete for the same buyer.

Nick Abbadessa of RE/MAX Masters Realty has 22 years in full-time real estate and more than $1.3B in closed sales. He holds the Certified Real Estate Negotiator and Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designations. If you are planning a sale, you can learn more about selling with Nick, or contact Nick to talk through a move to or from Claremont.