Clayton hasn't always been Clayton. It was once a place called Fislertown, where a man named Jacob Fisler once owned a glass factory. Eventually, the town grew and took in other nearby towns, eventually becoming Clayton as we know it by 1908, when the township was dissolved and the area was deemed an official city.
Clayton, New Jersey is definitely in the state of New Jersey, but in reality, some people consider it a suburb of Philadelphia. The cities are only 27 miles apart, so many people consider Clayton a great place to lay their head at night, between commutes and days of play or work in the big city. Clayton is a great little commuter town, but it also has some of its own outstanding amenities, which makes it a draw on its own. People here value the outdoors, and the city is home to the Glassboro Fish and Wildlife Management area, where people come to spend time in nature or see different animals in their natural habitat. If you want the perks of being in one of the northeast's best cities, but also being able to escape that hustle and bustle when you're in the mood, then consider Clayton. It has plenty of apartment homes and rental condos, and you're sure to find somewhere that feels just great calling home.
Moving to Clayton
When you're going to apply for rental homes in Clayton, you're going to want to get ready for the application. An application for home rentals is basically a chance to show a landlord that you're financially capable of paying for an apartment, so you're going to need to gather your personal and financial documents. These documents include things like bank statements, pay stubs, proof of income, a letter of employment and letters of reference.
Once you've gathered all these things, then think about narrowing down your apartment list. Think about things you must have in a place, then browse available apartments. You can see which apartments meet your needs and which don't, then you can make appointments to view them. One important thing to know is that even though you might be approved for an apartment, it isn't off the market until you pay a deposit. Deposits can be as much as three times the monthly rent, so a wise choice would be to pinch your pennies before you start your moving process. Moving itself is expensive, after all, so saving up beforehand can make everything feel a whole lot less stressful.
Clayton Neighborhoods
Sure, it's important to find a house you like when you move to a new city. But it's also important to end up living in an area you like too! Neighborhoods can differ greatly, from the restaurants and attractions in them, to their convenience for commuting purposes. Before you move, do some research about the neighborhoods in Clayton. Do you want to live somewhere where you can get into and out of Philly easily? Or, do you want to live somewhere where you can pop out for a bite to eat without a thought? Whatever your preferences are, use these to narrow down your list of potential homes. Once you've got some neighborhoods in mind, it'll save you a lot of time and energy on your housing search. Want to know more about Clayton neighborhoods? Check out some helpful info below.
Eastern Clayton: Eastern Clayton is the most spread out and rural part of town. It's also furthest from Philly. Live here if you like to spend time in the outdoors. You'll have easy access to the Glassboro wildlife area, as well as Scotland Run Park and Wilson Lake.
Western Clayton: This is the more bustling part of town, with Highway 47 running through it. Live here for easy access for commuting, and for houses that are packed in closer to one another.
Living in Clayton
Clayton is basically a commuter town for Philadelphia, since the towns are only about a half hour apart. Most people drive into the big city with their cars, but there are lots of public transportation options. You can take a bus into town, or you can take a train.
If you aren't planning to leave Clayton all the time, fear not! There's plenty to do in your hometown, too. If you like to eat pizza, you're gonna feel right at home in Clayton. The town has several awesome pizza options, including Sicilia Pizza, Little Jim's Pizza and Nick's Pizzeria and Steakhouse. If you're a fan of beer, you can taste some great brews at spots in town like Gleason's Place and the Pit.
Of course, there's no lack of things to do in Philly, so if you ever get bored, just head in to the city. You can watch pro sports games, check out a Broadway caliber show, eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant, or just enjoy wandering through big city streets under big city skyscrapers.