Clifton's housing stock spans more than a century of construction, from early-20th-century colonials and Dutch-influenced homes in older sections to mid-century and newer builds. Neighborhoods such as Athenia retain older home styles with local shops, while Allwood offers a more suburban, less congested feel near the park-and-ride. Rosemawr is largely residential and among the city's more affluent areas. The city's many sections mean buyers encounter varied lot sizes and architectural eras, from compact urban-style streets near the Passaic River to single-family detached homes on tree-lined blocks farther from the city center.

Clifton is organized into more than a dozen named sections, each with a distinct identity. Allwood, in the eastern part of the city, is suburban and close to a major park-and-ride. Athenia features older home styles and small shops. Richfield and Athenia sit among the more centrally located neighborhoods. Rosemawr, largely residential and partially within Allwood, is home to an Orthodox Jewish community connected to neighboring Passaic. Lakeview, whose name recalls the Dutch town of Wesel, and Dutch Hill reflect the city's settler heritage, while Montclair Heights borders Montclair and Albion Place anchors the western edge near Garrett Mountain.

Clifton offers a dense, walkable street grid in its older sections alongside quieter suburban blocks, with a dining scene reflecting its diverse population. Main Avenue and the surrounding commercial corridors hold a deep roster of Mediterranean, Turkish, Portuguese, Mexican, and other cuisines, drawing diners from across Passaic County. The city's Recreation Department runs youth and adult programs, and its many sections give residents a strong sense of neighborhood identity. With Passaic and Montclair adjacent, Clifton residents also benefit from nearby regional retail, arts, and cultural offerings while keeping the city's own parks and commercial corridors close at hand.

Clifton Public Schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across roughly 19 schools and about 11,000 students. The district includes Clifton High School and several middle schools, including Christopher Columbus, Maple Valley, and Woodrow Wilson, along with a network of neighborhood elementary schools. The district is a central institution in the community, drawing students from across the city's many sections. Families typically evaluate school assignments by neighborhood, since elementary boundaries follow the city's section geography.

Clifton sits within easy commuting distance of New York City. NJ Transit buses run frequently from Allwood Road and other corridors to the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, with trips of roughly half an hour. NJ Transit rail service at Clifton Station links to Secaucus Junction and New York Penn Station. Major highways include U.S. Route 46, the Garden State Parkway, and New Jersey Route 3, placing the city at the center of northern New Jersey's road network. This combination of frequent bus, rail, and highway access makes Clifton a practical base for commuters throughout the region.

Clifton's outdoor life centers on Weasel Brook Park, designed by the Olmsted Brothers firm with meadows, curving paths, and water features, and home to the historic Vanderhoef-Westervelt House built around 1720. Garrett Mountain Reservation, a 568-acre park on the First Watchung Mountain that extends into Clifton, offers scenic hikes around Barbour Pond, an equestrian center, and the sandstone Lambert Castle. Rifle Camp Park sits nearby for additional hiking. The city's Recreation Department operates local fields, playgrounds, and programs, complementing the larger county parks on Clifton's western edge.