Clifton's cultural scene thrives at the Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park, where rotating art exhibitions and outdoor sculptures create an artistic hub for the community. The city's recreational spaces include Main Memorial Park, featuring a serene lake, walking paths, and tennis courts, while Weasel Brook Park delights families with its playground and spray park. Local dining ranges from the historic Rutt's Hut, serving their famous hot dogs since 1928, to upscale options like Matthew's Italian Restaurant and Spuntino Wine Bar. Entertainment options include catching films at AMC Clifton Commons 16 or enjoying free outdoor concerts during the Botany Village Summer Concert Series.
The housing market in Clifton spans multiple price points across distinct neighborhoods. The median sale price for homes in Clifton is $575,000. Single family homes in Montclair Heights command the highest median prices at $690,000, while Botany Village presents more affordable options with a median price of $415,000. Athenia features condominiums with median prices of $327,000 for one bedroom units and $506,000 for two bedrooms.
Commuters benefit from two NJ Transit train stations, Clifton and Delawanna, plus multiple bus routes. Major highways including Route 3, Route 46, and the Garden State Parkway provide easy access to New York City, located 10 miles away. The property tax rate in Passaic County is 2.28%, comparable to neighboring Paterson and Passaic, but higher than Montclair's 2.02%. The New Jersey state sales tax rate is 6.625%.
Education options include several highly rated private schools. Noble Leadership Academy and Lacordaire Academy Upper School both received A+ ratings from Niche, serving multiple neighborhoods including Athenia, Dutch Hill, and Montclair Heights. Union School, a public middle school in the Delawanna neighborhood, maintains an A rating.
