Moving to Claremont for the Colleges: A Guide for Faculty and Staff

Moving to Claremont for the colleges usually makes sense for faculty and staff who want a short commute, a walkable college-town feel, and access to both neighborhood living and regional transit. The tradeoff is cost: Claremont is desirable, supply can be tight, and home prices and rents sit well above many nearby Inland Empire options. (claremont.edu)

Why do so many faculty and staff choose to live in Claremont?

Claremont works well for college employees because the city is built around the consortium, not just adjacent to it. The Claremont Colleges include seven institutions on contiguous campuses, with more than 8,000 students and about 3,500 faculty and staff, so daily life in town naturally supports an academic schedule and culture. (claremont.edu)

That shows up in practical ways. The Village gives you a genuine walkable center with restaurants, shops, and the Claremont Metrolink station nearby. Pomona College describes Claremont as a walkable college town with dining, boutiques, and cultural amenities, which lines up with how many new hires picture the area before they move. (pomona.edu)

For a faculty household, that can mean grabbing coffee before class, getting home without a freeway grind, and still being able to take Metrolink for a Los Angeles meeting or airport connection. For staff, it often means a simpler weekday routine and less dependence on long cross-county commuting.

Which Claremont neighborhoods make the most sense for faculty and staff?

The best neighborhood depends on whether you care most about walkability, lot size, foothill scenery, or budget. For many college employees, the shortlist usually includes the Village-adjacent areas, North Claremont, Northeast Claremont, and Claraboya, with nearby choices in Upland or La Verne for a different price point. (pomona.edu)

If you want to walk or bike to campus, areas near the Village and the colleges are the obvious first look. These spots usually appeal to people who want quick access to classes, lectures, restaurants, and the train station. North and Northeast Claremont tend to attract buyers who want larger homes, quieter residential streets, or foothill views, while Claraboya is often part of the conversation for households prioritizing space. Zillow’s neighborhood snapshots show materially higher home values in parts of Northeast Claremont and Claraboya than the citywide average, which gives you a rough sense of the premium attached to some of those areas. (zillow.com)

Here’s a simple way to compare common options:

If you’re still narrowing the map, our posts on Claremont Neighborhood Guide: Compare Every Area at a Glance and Best Claremont Neighborhoods for Walkability and Village Access are useful next reads.

Is it better to rent first or buy right away in Claremont?

For many new hires, renting first is the safer move unless you already know Claremont well. The city’s housing market is expensive, and neighborhood differences matter more than they look on a map. Buying too quickly can lock you into a location that doesn’t match your commute, school needs, or day-to-day routine. (redfin.com)

The Claremont Colleges Services real estate office explicitly offers housing referrals for students, staff, and faculty and lists local rental communities and contacts, which is a strong sign that renting is a common first step for incoming employees. (services.claremont.edu)

Current market data supports a measured approach. Redfin reports a Claremont median sale price of about $1.04 million over the three months ending September 2026, up 4.5% year over year, with average days on market at 51. Realtor.com reports a median sold price of about $1.01 million, median rent around $3,489 per month, and median days on market of 46 days in September 2026. (redfin.com)

A practical rule of thumb:

1. Rent first if you’re new to the area, have a one- to two-year appointment, or need time to compare campuses and school options.
2. Buy sooner if you already know Claremont, expect to stay several years, and have narrowed your neighborhood priorities.
3. Reassess after one semester or one academic year, once your real commute and routine are clear.

What does the commute look like for Claremont Colleges employees?

The commute is one of Claremont’s biggest strengths if you live in town. The colleges sit together on contiguous campuses, so even small differences in where you live can change your day: a five-minute drive, a bike ride, or a walk can replace the kind of freeway commute common elsewhere in Southern California. (claremont.edu)

Regional access is better than some newcomers expect. The Claremont Metrolink station is at 201 W. 1st St., close to the Village, and Metrolink highlights Claremont Village as a dining and shopping destination right by the station. Free parking is available for Metrolink passengers at the station. (metrolinktrains.com)

That setup matters if one partner works outside Claremont, if you travel for conferences, or if you want a backup to driving. And for employees who live in nearby communities like Upland, La Verne, or Montclair, commute quality often depends less on pure mileage and more on whether you need to cross multiple city corridors during school-year peak hours.

What is everyday life in Claremont actually like outside of work?

Daily life in Claremont is one reason faculty and staff often stay longer than planned. You’re not moving into a campus bubble. You’re moving into a city with a recognizable center, established neighborhoods, foothill access, and a mix of academic, family, and small-town routines that feels unusually cohesive for Southern California. (pomona.edu)

The Claremont Colleges brochure points to the city’s access to Claremont Hills Wilderness Park, trails, bike lanes, and the Metrolink station in the Village. Discover Claremont’s fact sheet also notes more than 70 locally owned restaurants, which helps explain why the city feels active without being hectic. (claremont.edu)

For new residents, that might look like a Saturday hike, dinner in the Village, and errands without a long drive. If food matters to you, you may also want our local guides to Vegan and Vegetarian Dining in Claremont and Best Patios and Outdoor Dining in Claremont.

How should faculty and staff plan a smart move to Claremont?

The smartest move is to treat Claremont like a set of micro-decisions, not one big yes-or-no relocation choice. Start with your campus routine, then match housing to that reality. People who do this well usually decide faster once they arrive because their search is tied to actual daily habits. (claremont.edu)

A good moving plan usually looks like this:

1. Confirm your primary campus and arrival schedule.
2. Decide whether you need walkability, parking ease, or freeway access.
3. Set separate targets for rent, purchase price, and monthly carrying costs.
4. Tour the Village area and at least two residential neighborhoods.
5. Test the commute at the time you’ll actually travel.
6. Compare Claremont with one nearby alternative before committing.

If you expect to buy a home in Claremont, it also helps to review How Much Are Homes Worth in Claremont California? Neighborhood Snapshot and Moving to Claremont California: Costs, Neighborhoods and Lifestyle.

Claremont can be a very good fit for faculty and staff, especially if you value a shorter commute and a real college-town environment. But it pays to get specific. If you want help comparing neighborhoods, commute patterns, or whether renting first makes more sense for your situation, Contact Us.

FAQs

Is Claremont a good place to live if I work at one of The Claremont Colleges?

Yes, for many faculty and staff, Claremont is one of the most convenient and lifestyle-friendly places to live near the consortium. The city is centered around the seven-college campus area, offers a walkable Village, and provides access to restaurants, trails, and Metrolink that make day-to-day life easier. (claremont.edu)

Is Claremont expensive for college employees?

Usually, yes. Claremont housing costs are high compared with many nearby cities, so budget planning matters early. Recent market data shows median sold home prices around the $1.0 million range, while median rent has been reported around $3,489 per month, so many newcomers compare renting first versus buying immediately. (redfin.com)

Should I rent before buying in Claremont?

In many cases, renting first is the safer choice, especially if you’re new to the area or starting a new role. It gives you time to learn the neighborhoods, test the commute, and decide whether you want Village walkability, foothill privacy, or a nearby city with a different price point. (services.claremont.edu)

What neighborhoods should I look at first in Claremont?

Start with Village-adjacent areas if walkability matters, then compare North Claremont, Northeast Claremont, and Claraboya for space and setting. Each part of the city has a different feel, and home values can vary significantly, so seeing them in person is usually more helpful than relying on a map alone. (zillow.com)