Working at Ft. Campbell...can we live in Nashville? (Clarksville: houses, schools)

[RACCFA]

We are a married couple with an 8 month old baby. My husband will be working at Ft. Campbell, but we are hoping to live in a place with things to do, family friendly, places to walk/run, some shops and restaurants to walk to, libraries, maybe a farmer's market, etc. (i.e. I don't think Clarksville is the answer, as it's pretty much a military town, I think?) Of course, safety is also a big factor. We will most likely only be at Ft. Campbell for a few years, so I don't think schools are really a consideration for us right now.

Is Nashville a realistic commute or just too far? We are currently living in the total 'burbs in Texas and don't love the "cookie cutter" lifestyle we have, far from everything, with only walks around other suburb houses as our only option.

Any recommendations on places to look are very much appreciated.

[rossc]

It's about 45 minutes if you stick to the Northern side of Nashville. If you're not intent on living in Nashville, you could look at areas between the two like Joelton. You'd be about 15 minutes from Nashville and 20-30 to Clarksville. Taxes will be much cheaper out in the country also.

[vivelafrance]

Originally Posted by RACCFA

We are a married couple with an 8 month old baby. My husband will be working at Ft. Campbell, but we are hoping to live in a place with things to do, family friendly, places to walk/run, some shops and restaurants to walk to, libraries, maybe a farmer's market, etc. (i.e. I don't think Clarksville is the answer, as it's pretty much a military town, I think?) Of course, safety is also a big factor. We will most likely only be at Ft. Campbell for a few years, so I don't think schools are really a consideration for us right now.

Is Nashville a realistic commute or just too far? We are currently living in the total 'burbs in Texas and don't love the "cookie cutter" lifestyle we have, far from everything, with only walks around other suburb houses as our only option.

Any recommendations on places to look are very much appreciated.

You might try downtown Clarksville. It has a small revitalized district and with APSU campus also being downtown, there is usually quite a bit going on for a city of its size.

[Big TR]

Like Rossc said, if you like spending 90-110 minutes commuting each and every day, it's doable.

Have you actually been to Clarksville, or just surmising how it's like by internet reading?

[Diane Giam]

I don't think Clarksville is that small and it is family friendly. Its home to the Fastest growing state university, Austin Peay, which I went to many years ago. You also can get housing at a more affordable price in Clarksville.

[cashmannsdq]

Nashville proper would be a stretch but there are a few who do the commute daily. I would suggest Pleasant View (Exit 24) if you are set at being close to Nashville. Otherwise, Exit 8 or 11 will be a good area that is convenient to the interstate and about 30 minutes to Fort Campbell one way and 40 minutes to Nashville the other.

[FirstInShow]

Oh my goodness, YES! Seriously, you will love it in Clarksville and you do not want to commute to Nashville on a daily basis (in my opinion).

Clarksville has multiple areas that are exactly as you are describing in your want list, each one offers something unique...just depends on which one 'grabs' you. When we moved here, I had the same concerns, but let me put your mind at ease!

Jan

[ACRTN]

I have a very similar question to RACCFA. I will be working at Ft. Campbell and my fiance is a registered dietitian who will most likely be working in Nashville. I do not mind a 45 minute commute, but anything longer than that will be tiresome. Are some of the mentioned areas between post and Nashville actual communities or just collections of houses? I don't need to live in the center of the city, but having a Target and a good grocery store within a few minute drive is a good example of what we're looking for. Any thoughts?

[Wingz]

Originally Posted by RACCFA

Is Nashville a realistic commute or just too far?

Whether or not it is a reasonable commute seems to depends on your motivation.

My wife works with a woman who drives from Clarksville to Cool Springs, south of Nashville, and has done so for 15 years. She is unwilling to give up her job for one in Clarksville, but does not want to leave Clarksville for family reasons.

While traveling, I recently met a family with children who had lived in Nashville for six years while the husband was stationed at Ft. Campbell. I didn't ask what part of Nashville or their reasons for choosing Nashville over Clarksville, but he was willing to drive that far for six years.

I'm not familiar with Clarksville, except for the hospital on a business level, but I think it is much more than a military town. I would rather live there and drive to Nashville occasionally to enjoy the things a larger city has that Clarksville cannot offer than to make the commute every day.

Is it doable? Yes, there are people who make the commute every day and don't seem to mind.

[cashmannsdq]

Originally Posted by ACRTN

I have a very similar question to RACCFA. I will be working at Ft. Campbell and my fiance is a registered dietitian who will most likely be working in Nashville. I do not mind a 45 minute commute, but anything longer than that will be tiresome. Are some of the mentioned areas between post and Nashville actual communities or just collections of houses? I don't need to live in the center of the city, but having a Target and a good grocery store within a few minute drive is a good example of what we're looking for. Any thoughts?

ACRTN, exit 11 should be a great area to start. Exit 24 (Pleasant View) has many of Fort Campbell's Soldiers whose wives work in the Nashville area as well. Let me know if you need any assistance.