Did you see this report: This Passaic County city ranks among nation’s 100 best places to live in 2025 ? It seems my hometown, Clifton, NJ, has been named one of the best places to live in the US for 2025. This marks at least the third year in a row my town has made the list.
Over two thousand cities were considered, all sporting populations of 75,000 to 500,000 people, of which, I am one!
So, put that in your hat and smoke it, I say. Complain all you want with how crowded Clifton and generally all Northern NJ towns might be (and I’ll agree they are stuffed with people and cars) but give me Clifton or give me…
As should be evident from just the existence of this little site, I champion New Jersey as the great place I have always found it to be. I am realistic; we are a brash, rushed and sarcastic bunch. Our infrastructure has surely seen better days. Our school population is bursting. I am on constant dispute over parking laws I find draconian. And stuck in the 70s as I am, a manchild most of the time, not one so comfortable with change, an argument could be made (and I’m not arguing) that I’d be most comfortable where I grew up and have lived for decades.
All these facts though do not negate the fact that Clifton ‘be da bomb’ of a place to live.
As the new survey tell us.
It’s more than just me backing a winning horse. It’s more than being able to shove this latest finding in haters’ faces (and there are lots of NJ haters to be sure). I am just so very proud of my hometown, flawed as it might be, full of the wacky and the weird…but aren’t all places in their own way?
So, let’s raise a glass of whatever you’re drinking to my hometown Clifton, NJ, one of the best places to live.
Jeez, haven’t I been telling you all this for decades?
Clifton sounds like a place with a lot of character, flaws and all. I can tell you’re deeply passionate about it, and that’s refreshing to hear. It’s interesting how you acknowledge the downsides—like the crowded streets and outdated infrastructure—but still manage to emphasize its charm. Do you think Clifton’s flaws actually add to its appeal? I wonder if the sense of community or the unique vibe outweighs the inconveniences for you. Also, how do you respond to the haters who don’t see what you see in New Jersey? Your pride is contagious, but I’m curious—what’s one thing you’d change about Clifton if you could? Let’s hear it!
Wow, Clifton really seems to have a special place in your heart! It’s refreshing to see someone so passionately defend their hometown, flaws and all. I can totally relate to the love-hate relationship with where you grew up—there’s always something uniquely charming about it, even if it’s not perfect. The way you describe the crowded streets and the brash, sarcastic vibe actually makes it sound kind of endearing in its own way. But I’m curious, what’s one thing you’d change about Clifton if you could? And do you think the sense of community there is what makes it “da bomb,” or is it something else entirely? Also, how do you think Clifton compares to other towns in Northern NJ? I’d love to hear more about what makes it stand out for you!