Are building restrictions tricky for remodeling or additions due to the watershed protection area designations?

You end up driving a lot

OP are you talking Clifton proper or the parts of Centreville that got renamed Clifton?

Carefully read the HOA documents that you will inevitably have, and enquire about the HOAs and how they operate. Some are fine. Some make life hell.

It is in many ways a lot like Great Falls, with many larger lots and less in the way of developments with sidewalks. It's good if you prefer more privacy and don't mind longer distances to some amenities and a possible long commute. It is safer than more populous areas of the County, with less commercial activity; it's mostly residential.

clifton is wonderful but what is your commute? you have to factor that in

Nice, quiet, you probably won’t have close by neighbors. Some areas have well and septic as opposed to public utilities. The area is quite hilly and many of the roads are winding and have no sidewalks, which can be tough if you need to walk a dog or have kids who want to ride bikes.

Clifton is nice but lots could be huge and they don't have a side walk due to R-1 zoning. If you like living in large houses with big yards then it is place for you to go.

With the rising housing prices, we have decided to look for less expensive areas to live in. Our kids are in college and one last one in private school. What is Clifton like?
We want a very low crime rate and to live away from highways and shopping malls/data centers.