What are the best tips for writing clean and maintainable Python code?

I get what you're saying about clean and maintainable code being subjective! Standards like PEP 8 or the Google Style Guide help, but ultimately, it's about what works for your team or project. Stick to those guidelines when collaborating, and you'll generally be in a good spot.

Instead of switching languages, check out different architectural design patterns that suit Python. Patterns like n-tier, onion architecture, and clean code architecture can help you structure your code effectively. They’re pretty language-agnostic and can guide you based on your project’s needs.

Finding that balance between code optimization and clarity can be tricky! Focus on writing clean, correct code first. Once you're confident it works well, you can look into optimizations if needed. Just remember that clarity should always be your primary goal until performance becomes a real issue.

One practical tip is to make everything into functions and keep those functions small and manageable. When you comment, focus on what the function does and what it takes as input and what it outputs. Avoid stating the obvious; instead, explain your reasoning for why you chose a specific approach.