Some context: I loved anime when I was younger, and didn't watch it for the last ten or so years. Clannad got me back in.
Coming back into Anime with Clannad was a great way to start. The show moves really fast visually - meaning, we don't spend much time in any one place with the characters. They are always moving, walking around, helping each other out, etc. This really helped solidify an idea of active environment for the characters, which for me, kept me continually watching. The show isn't one where you can stand up and leave for a little bit and come back knowing what's going on. You should pay attention.
Anyways, I think you'd want to. The characters are so well written, and I particularly enjoyed the main characters realistic/skeptical perspective on life. This made a wonderful clash against the over exaggerated dialogue, mindsets, and actions the surrounding characters had. This equation made for a nice blend of practical realism and typical anime humor. It was very well done.
If you want some thing down to earth, easy to relate to, this show is it. It isn't shy to be goofy, and isn't cowardly to be serious. There were times when I really had to sit back and just absorb the big life concepts this show presented, and it really pulled the heart strings.
If you haven't seen it, give it a go as soon as you can. The follow up is Clannad: After Story.
You can buy them, on Amazon (which is what I did. You spend a little, but I gotta say it was well worth the price.)
