Are you picturing quiet acreage and starry nights but worried about the daily drive to Fort Campbell? If you are weighing off-post living, that is a real tradeoff to consider. In this guide, you will get a clear look at Southside’s lifestyle, commute realities, housing options, and a simple checklist to help you decide. Let’s dive in.
Southside at a glance
Southside is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, ZIP 37171, about 11 to 12 miles south-southeast of Clarksville. Because it is unincorporated, services are provided by the county rather than a city government. You will find a rural setting with single-family homes on larger parcels and very low walkability. For a taste of local history, the 19th-century living museum at Historic Collinsville is nearby, and broader parks and amenities are in the Clarksville area.
Commute reality to Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell sits northwest of Clarksville. Clarksville to Fort Campbell is commonly about 13 to 14 miles and roughly 20 to 35 minutes by car, depending on route and traffic, according to distance and time estimates. From Southside, commute time varies widely by exact address and route. A realistic window is about 30 to 70 minutes each way, with shorter times for homes closer to major roads and longer times for more remote acreage. If you will drive on post during PT hours, review Fort Campbell’s context and traffic patterns and plan for gate timing using background on the installation.
Housing and affordability
Montgomery County’s median home values sit in the low to mid 300s, which offers a helpful regional benchmark, based on county-level data. Southside’s small ZIP and rural makeup mean prices can swing with acreage, finishes, and lot size. Expect fewer townhomes or condos and more single-family homes on larger tracts. If you are serious about a property, ask for recent MLS comps and days on market for the micro-area.
What you will find
- Mostly single-family detached homes, including newer builds and rural parcels.
- Larger lots and privacy for buyers who want space for hobbies, outbuildings, or animals.
- Limited multifamily options and a car-dependent lifestyle.
Budgeting for rural living
- Plan for well and septic maintenance where applicable.
- Expect longer utility runs and to confirm propane or natural gas availability.
- Check homeowners insurance early since rural distance to fire services can affect premiums.
Everyday services and lifestyle
Southside has limited retail and services, so most errands are done in Clarksville. Families connected to the post often use on-post services and Clarksville options for shopping and dining. Active duty and dependents can access care at Fort Campbell’s Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, and Clarksville’s regional hospitals serve off-post needs. Austin Peay State University is a nearby hub for education, arts, and athletics, as outlined in APSU fast facts.
Internet, utilities, and coverage
Internet availability in Southside varies by exact address. Some areas have cable or fiber, while others rely on fixed wireless or satellite solutions. If you work from home or game online, run an address-level search with a tool like InMyArea’s availability checker early in your process and verify cellular signal on site.
Safety, zoning, and environmental checks
As an unincorporated area, law enforcement and services are handled by Montgomery County. If response times are important to you, contact the Sheriff’s Office through the county directory for local insights. Aggregated ZIP-level crime indexes for 37171 sit near or slightly below national averages depending on source, but small ZIPs can show volatile numbers; review recent data and talk to neighbors, and consult resources like BestPlaces crime data for 37171. Flood risk is property-specific, so run a FEMA map search and consider an elevation certificate; a practical overview of flood-zone due diligence is summarized in this flood risk guide.
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
- Rural lifestyle with larger lots and privacy.
- Tennessee does not tax wages, which can help household budgets, per state tax guidance.
- Quiet pace with local history at Historic Collinsville and county-wide outdoor options.
Cons
- Commute times to Fort Campbell can range from about 30 to 70 minutes, as suggested by regional drive-time references.
- Limited nearby retail and services, so expect more driving for errands and appointments.
- Internet and utility options vary by property; some addresses depend on fixed wireless or satellite.
Who Southside fits best
Choose Southside if you value acreage, privacy, and a quieter lifestyle, and you can accept a longer, sometimes variable commute. It can be a strong fit if you have flexible hours, telework with confirmed broadband, or you want space for hobbies, animals, or outbuildings. If minimizing drive time to Fort Campbell and quick access to on-post services are your top priorities, compare closer Clarksville neighborhoods or nearby Kentucky towns before you decide.
A quick decision checklist
- Run a real-time commute test from the specific property to your primary gate during typical duty and PT windows using a mapping app, guided by regional drive-time context.
- Confirm public school assignment by property address with the district and review any applicable policies.
- Verify internet and cellular coverage at the address with an availability check and an on-site signal test.
- Check flood risk on FEMA maps and ask for any elevation certificates or well and septic history, using this flood due diligence overview.
- Contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office through the county directory to discuss response coverage and recent local trends.
- Compare total monthly costs against your BAH or household budget, factoring fuel, time, and maintenance for a rural property.
Bottom line
If your top priority is space, privacy, and a slower pace, Southside can be a smart off-post choice as long as you are comfortable with the commute and you verify property-specific details. If you want the shortest drive and immediate access to services, explore closer-in areas first. When you are ready to weigh tradeoffs and see on-the-ground options, connect with Cheryl Barrett for clear, local guidance tailored to your move.
FAQs
How far is Southside from Fort Campbell for daily commuting?
- Plan for roughly 30 to 70 minutes each way depending on the exact address, route, gate, and traffic, and always test the drive during PT and peak times using a mapping app supported by regional drive-time context.
What types of homes are common in Southside, TN?
- Mostly single-family homes on larger lots or acreage, including some newer builds, with few townhomes or condos and a very car-dependent lifestyle.
Is Southside inside Clarksville city limits?
- No. It is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, which means county agencies provide services, as described in the Southside overview.
Will I get reliable internet for remote work in Southside?
- Availability varies by property; some addresses have cable or fiber while others use fixed wireless or satellite, so run an address-level internet availability check and verify signal on site.
Where do Fort Campbell families receive medical care off and on post?
- Active duty and dependents use Blanchfield Army Community Hospital on post, while Clarksville’s regional hospitals serve civilian off-post needs.
