A nearby red limestone cave, known as the "Rock House," displays early drawings as evidence that Native Americans lived in the area long before settlers from North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia moved in. The locals loved being next to Spadra Creek, just north of the Arkansas River. Transportation, in the form of stage coaches, rail and steamboats ensured the city's continuing growth.
The best part about living in Clarksville is that the cost of living is less than that of Arkansas and the entire country. Sure, you have to pay a state tax but that maxes out at just a few percent. For fun, there are outdoor recreation areas, a major food festival and a commitment to visual art. If you ask me, life is pretty sweet for or the 9,178 residents who call Clarksville home. Don't be a chump and miss out.
Moving to Clarksville
About 90 percent of the residential properties in the city consist of single-family homes, so your first decision is whether to stick with a single-family house or try to find the rare apartment. (Condos range from scarce to non-existent.) Then you need to figure out whether you want to be near retail, accessible to the main highways, close to water or far away from everyone.
Don't try to find apartments by using Google Search or online real-estate websites. The owners of these properties like to save money by avoiding ads. Your best option whether you're looking for multi-family or single-family dwellings is to find a realtor, preferably one who focuses on rentals. After asking you a few questions and checking your credit, she can tell you up front if you're an ideal tenant or if you need to fix your finances to make it work.
You can make her job a lot easier by bringing some evidence of your monetary acumen. Pay stubs are mandatory -- many landlords like to see you have at least two years of work history with your current employer. Letters from previous landlords are a big bonus. Some minuses: unpaid rents, lawsuits or judgments involving previous apartment complexes and criminal convictions.
Neighborhoods in Clarksville
The following neighborhoods should help you narrow down your living options.
Hagarville: This is the biggest neighborhood and also the emptiest because most of it is part of Lake Fort Smith National Park. You'll find lots of trees but no apartments to rent. However, you might be able to lease a nice little cabin.
City Center: Because City Hall is located here, this neighborhood acts as the downtown center. The main drag of East Main Street consists mostly of strip malls although individually-owned stores occupy historic buildings around courthouse square. You want to live near these streets if you value convenience to stores and restaurants. This area also boasts the most frontage for the Arkansas River, which would also be desirable if you like water. For better or worse, almost no structures mar access to the waterways, making it accessible to you no matter where you decide to live.
Apartment Buildings in City Center
203 S Cravens St: Typical of the rental apts in Clarksville for this neighborhood, this option consists of a small building rather than a full apartment complex. As such, your only perks are a parking space and Victorian architecture. You can choose from one to two-bedroom apartments for rent. The location is a definite bonus: just a block from the retailers around the square and walking distance from the University of the Ozarks.
Jamestown: Jamestown has the second largest river frontage as well as the Clarksville Municipal Airport, which is really great if you own a plane or like to fly as a hobby. Despite consisting mostly of green space, this most practical part of the city has the Wal-Mart, many businesses and the Johnson Regional Medical Center.
University of the Ozarks: You don't need a 4.0 GPA to figure out the main draw of this neighborhood, with several eateries and shops springing up to cater to students. The landscape is peppered with unnamed ponds and small lakes, so you can get your water fix away from the river.
Living in Clarksville
The best way to dive into the Arkansas River is by visiting the adjoining Spadra Park Recreation Area. There is a campground that can accommodate up to 30 RVs and tents with electricity, showers, flush toilets and a boat dock and ramp. If you've got your own boat, you can dock it at the Spadra Marina. You can also rent watercraft or buy marine parts here.
Another water attraction that some would say is safer than the river is the Clarksville Aquatic Center. If it's raining out, you can use the indoor pool or try some laps in the outdoor waters. Everyone love the outdoor water park and if you don't know how to swim, no worries -- classes can teach you how to have fun in the water.
Come July, you can help celebrate the Johnson County Peach Festival, which ranks as the state's oldest festival. Pageants allow teens and kids to compete for several titles, including Little Mister for boys. Then there are the booths featuring such treats as banana splits, BBQ or pottery. Other activities include helicopter tours, skateboard contest and a diaper derby. The festival concludes with a parade and concert with street dancing.
You don't have to head for the big city to enjoy visual art. Not when Art Waves, a non-profit organization, brings classes and gallery showings to town. It not only encourages artists but encourages all citizens to develop their own creations. For the more athletically inclined, this institution is a member of the NCAA Division II with teams in both men's and women's basketball, cross-country, soccer and tennis.
Need to get out of town for a spell? Take one of the picturesque routes, such as the Bootlegger's Trail. This choice take you on a 100-mile trip through the Ozark National Forest, where you'll see historic structures, mountain tops and waterfalls. You can get a map and brochure from the Clarksville Johnson County Chamber of Commerce.
