It must have been nice back in the old days when towns were being formed across the United States. You had the opportunity to name your own town! There were no rules -- you could call it anything you wanted. For instance, Clinton was named after the DeWitt Clinton Hotel in New York, the favorite hotel of one of the town's founding fathers!
Clinton, Massachusetts is located in Worcester County and is about a half hour from Worcester, the nearest big city. There were about 7,400 people living in Clinton at the 2010 census, and with almost six square miles of land, depending on what you're used to, it can feel pretty quiet! Most of the housing is located around the center of town so if you get past that, you're kind of in the boonies. Clinton is smack in the middle of the state, about equidistant from both Boston and Springfield. I-290 runs just south of the town so there's pretty easy access to the Massachusetts Turnpike to get somewhere fast. Route 495 is also just a few minutes away.
Moving to Clinton
You shouldn't need an extraordinary amount of time to find a new place to rent in Clinton. There are no seasonal fluctuations or a university campus to worry about. There are plenty of options so you might want to give yourself two to four weeks to explore the town and the area a little bit before you make a choice. There are private rentals in homes, traditional apartment buildings and unique restored mill properties, so think about what kind of living space you're looking for and then jump in!
You'll have to have all the normal rental documents such as proof of income and identification when you go to rent an apartment in Clinton. You may find the landlord wants to run a credit check and/or a background check. If you aren't renting privately, the complexes and buildings will definitely have an application to fill out and there is usually an associate fee for this. But don't be shy, ask around a little bit. Sometimes you can find specials, like a waiver of the application fee or even sometimes your first month free! Landlords are motivated when they have vacancies to fill.
Neighborhoods of Clinton
Most of the apartment complexes and buildings are huddled in the downtown area of Clinton. This is great for easy access to amenities and to the highways. Some notable rental properties include:
Prescott Mill Apartments: These unique apartments are located in an historic mill building. Completely renovated and oozing artsy charm, they provide easy access to downtown stores and restaurants like the Clinton Gourmet and Primo Pizza.
Oxford Court Apartments: This complex is right in town at the junction of Routes 62, 110, and 70. Oxford Court has one-bedroom apartments for rent and two-bedroom apartments for rent in a turn of the century, newly renovated building offering pool and fitness center.
The Lofts at Lancaster Mills: Another renovated mill complex, Lancaster Mills offers luxury apartments that have been built with an eco-conscious design. These unique and incredible one-, two- and three-bedroom spaces were meticulously restored, preserving the architecture and creating a wonderful ambiance in these unique luxury apartment homes.
Living in Clinton
Clinton was a bustling mill town in its heyday. The Nashoba River provided power for some of the most successful mills of the time. This gives the town a particular feel that you just don't find in other areas.
There are plenty of things to do in Clinton without having to go to nearby Worcester. The Clinton Dam, and the Wachusett Reservoir behind it, have played a major role in the life of the town. Local legend is rife with stories of the towns that were flooded, and are now under the water, when the dam was built. Once a year, on Clinton Dam Day, the public is allowed to walk across the dam and have a special view of the reservoir. Rangers provide information and answer questions that might be more accurate than the local lore.
Clinton has all the stores you need for the basics; grocery stores, hardware stores and pharmacies. You'll have to head towards Worcester if you want a mall, but that's not far. The Peppermill restaurant is a local favorite, as well as The Spruce Street Tavern for pub fare.
Little League is a passion in Clinton, and the town is having a battle with a town in Canada for the bragging rights to the oldest continuously used baseball field in the world. Regardless of the particulars, Fuller Field was created in 1878 and is still alive and well in spring and summer.
If your apartment search takes you to Clinton, you will have no problem making it feel like home!