Alright, I'm a teacher here and With a population of 172K, Clarksville is a mid-size city. It's a a mid-size city city with about 172K people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Am I wrong here? Appreciate any input. The suburbs are where most families end up.
54 upvotes
24 Replies
Josiah Williams
I've lived in Highland for about 9 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- The housing market scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
39 upvotes
Nicholas Torres
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
39 upvotes
Chloe Mitchell
interesting, hadn't considered that
39 upvotes
Genesis
This.
37 upvotes
Lillian Hall
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is decent in most areas.
37 upvotes
Isabelle
Moved here from Minneapolis about 14 years ago. it's not perfect but it works for me. Still getting used to job market but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Emilia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 29, moved here 5 years ago from Portland. I've lived in Greenfield and Springfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Diverse dining options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The dating scene situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Springfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Portland, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
33 upvotes
cincyrider2025
I've been living here for 4 years and I'd say it's not perfect but it works for me. The public transit is challenging compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Maverick Rogers
I'm a physical therapist and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
29 upvotes
Olivia F.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 31, moved here 11 years ago from Austin. I've lived in South and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The school system situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. excellent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
24 upvotes
bennett_fan
I'm a real estate agent and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is excellent and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Eva
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Charlotte about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited high-paying job options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are reasonable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
20 upvotes
Peyton Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 48, moved here 5 years ago from New York. I've lived in Westside and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited public transit options
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The school system situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for retirees. solid vibes, walkable.
- North: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from New York, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $40K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
17 upvotes
Aurora Clark
wish I knew this sooner
16 upvotes
Stella M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Lakewood. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in tech. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
16 upvotes
michael_walker
As someone who grew up here, I genuinely enjoy living here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. safety used to be much wild but now it's underrated.
16 upvotes
Lucas Flores
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
12 upvotes
Wesley Bennett
this is the way
12 upvotes
proud_evan83
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 27, moved here 4 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Meadowbrook and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
austin_skylar
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. I genuinely enjoy living here. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Aaron Gutierrez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in West for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
legal is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
7 upvotes
Catherine L.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Hope this helps!.