The Tennessee flag features three stars, each one stands for one of the three divisions in the state, called Grand Divisions. Hartsville is located in middle Tennessee, which is known for its mix of flatlands and hilly areas.
With a location that's only a dozen miles south of the Kentucky border and two dozen from Nashville, the small town of Hartsville certainly has some fun neighbors. Of course, Hartsville has plenty going on close to home, too. Surrounded by gorgeously green wide-open spaces and parkland that's begging for use, it's easy to see why so many natives love to get outdoors and enjoy Mother Nature. Lots of residents like to get their farming on, even to a small degree. If you like raising chickens, planting flowers or growing your own supper, you'll have many friends. That said, there's also plenty to do under a roof, like grab a bite to eat at a nearby eatery or catch a flick at the local movie theater. Other folks heart Hartsville for its low cost of living, low crime rates and sunny summer weather. You'll love it not only for those things, but also for its laid-back style. Welcome to Hartsville, where country living is cool again.
Heading to Hartsville
Making the move to Hartsville does require a little more forethought than packing some seed packs and looking up "Gardening For Dummies" on Google. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the following information and take any recommendations to ensure your move is stress free and successful. The Midwest is easy going and welcoming, but landlords are landlords wherever you go.
Paper Trail
The most important thing anyone can do before they make a major move, or a small one, is to go over their credit report. If your score is less than desirable, you'll want to have a plan to explain it, and it can't hurt to have some references to help bolster your situation. Even if your score is ship-shape, it's essential to go over it with a fine-tooth comb and check for discrepancies and inaccuracies. One little oopsy, thanks to a good-for-nothing ID thief, and your good name is dragged through the mud. In addition to a shiny new credit report, you'll also want to collect your ID, pay stubs and a cashier's check. Nearly every rental property you consider will ask for a security deposit, so it's good to have that check handy. Don't count on them taking a personal check.
Hartsville natives like to own property more than rent it out, so you should be prepared for a disproportionate number of available houses to be for sale only. There is good news though; the vacancy rate is above average, so you won't have to spend an inordinate amount of time searching for that one true love with bar seating. Give yourself a few weeks to a month to find the ideal spot and you'll be fine.
House and Home
There's no doubt that house hunts have more intriguing details than fixing up a credit report. Sure enough, the rental apartments in Hartsville provide a wide variety of options for renters. If you like modern rental houses, it's possible to find some with spacious floor plans and updated kitchens. More commonly, however, you'll find slightly older homes, usually from between 1970 and 2000. If you have an appreciation for character, you're in luck. Plenty of homes were built before 1960, so you can get a cute '50s bungalow and live your country dreams. Prefer apartments? Hartsville has you covered as well. Hi-rise apartments for rent are available, and if you search thoroughly you'll even find all bills paid apartments. They're worth the extra hours of research.
Neighborly Neighbors
Hartsville is too darling, with less than 10,000 inhabitants, to have traditional neighborhoods like you find in the big cities. There's no hipster outpost here. But there are real differences between one section and another. To help you find your perfect fit, check out the distinguishing features of each area below and pick your poison.
Northwest: This is the heart of Hartsville, if you will. It includes easy access to Highway 10 and 141, as well as a smattering of local hot spots like Bull Pen Pizza and Dillehays Caf̩. There's also the Trousdale Medical Center. As for rental buildings, Hartsville Manor Apartments is your go-to spot.
Southeast: A little to the right and down a hair is the other section of Hartsville. There are fewer amenities as far as food and coffee shops go, but bigger backyards and more land. East Ridge Apartments has a good selection of one-bedroom apartments and more. It's quieter here, but very beautiful.
Country Living
Moving to a new city or state is about more than accepting a job offer and finding a suitable residence, it's also about discovering all the awesome things that make a place unique and fun. Fortunately, Hartsville has plenty of attractions to add to your social calendar, as does Tennessee as a whole. Learn all about your recreational options below, and make time to get to know your new place a little better.
Making the Most of Mother Nature
In Hartsville, your backyard is also your playground. There's so much to see and do in Tennessee that as long as you enjoy outdoorsy adventures, you're guaranteed an endless list of good times. Start with the river off your back porch. Snaking through the lush wilderness is the Cumberland River, which offers boaters an excellent opportunity to drift lazily through the waters on their off days. There's also Trousdale County Park, Goose Creek and Trey Park for a quickie excursion outdoors. But don't let Hartsville be the only option when you want to cut loose. Tennessee boasts great hiking and biking trails, pristine fishing spots and even a number of archery ranges. Golf, motorsports and shooting ranges are also popular.
When you tire of soaking up the sand, surf and dirt, go ahead and explore Nashville, which is less than an hour away. Music City has enough concerts, eateries and bars to keep you entertained for the rest of your life and you'll never get bored.
Point A to Point B
Hartsville has many fine qualities, but public transportation isn't one of them. Rural areas aren't known for having great bus service or subways, so you can expect to need a car in these parts. As for walking to pick up some groceries or run errands, you probably won't be able to. Hartsville has a walk score of 32, making it pretty car dependent. Make sure you tune up the old vehicle before setting your sights here.
If you love the quiet clean country living without having to give up access to the big city, Hartsville is the perfect place for your new homestead. Full of riches both natural and man-made, you'll be hard-pressed to find any drawbacks to this small town.