About Gainesville

With its college charm and small-town feel, Gainesville, Florida is a great place to live, work, and play. Gainesville is located in lush, semi-tropical North Central Florida. Its centralized location means that the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are within reach. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and other fantastic Orlando attractions are just a short drive away, and the historic city of St. Augustine makes the perfect day trip.

For outdoor enthusiasts, our many parks and lakes provide the perfect opportunity for fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling, and camping. Snorkelers and divers will enjoy the many nearby freshwater springs.

The city has a diverse cultural environment, with an abundance of art, music, and history. Residents can view collections of modern and contemporary art at the Harn Museum, attend performances at the Curtis M. Phillips Center, and enjoy a slice of Broadway in Downtown Gainesville at the Hippodrome Theatre.

Gainesville offers a variety of dining and entertainment options. Residents can head to Celebration Pointe for live music and dessert at Decadent Dessert Bar and visit a number of restaurants, shops, and a state-of-the art cinema. At the heart of the city is historic Downtown Gainesville, which hosts a number of local events and is the home to some of Gainesville’s most well-known restaurants and bars.

Collegiate sport enthusiasts will also enjoy the 13 competitive varsity sports that the University of Florida has to offer, including gymnastics, basketball, baseball, and football.

Gainesville was ranked #1 in the Top 10 College Towns: Great Cities for School & Life After Graduation by Livability.com.

Housing

There are a number of apartments and condos within walking or biking distance from our main campus that are available for rent. There are also several neighborhoods that are popular among our residents who choose to buy or rent a house.  The low-cost of living in Gainesville makes home ownership a great option for residents!  Capri and Sorrento are located in the Northwest region of Gainesville. In the Southwest region, Haile Plantation, Willow Oak Plantation, Longleaf Subdivision, and Mentone subdivision remain highly recommended by our residents and faculty.

Great for Families

Gainesville offers a variety of activities for children of all ages to learn and play. In addition to being the home of the University of Florida Gators, the city of Gainesville strives to create an innovative academic environment for children within the Alachua County school system. This school district is consistently rated as a high-performing district and provides children with a solid educational foundation. When considering Gainesville family life, our faculty also have access to high-quality childcare on-site through our Baby Gator Child Development Center.

Art, Music, Theater, and Entertainment

From ballets to concerts to art galleries, Gainesville is rich in culture and offers many opportunities to explore various forms of artistic expression. Collegiate sports fans will also enjoy attending University of Florida athletic events for a chance to show their competitive spirit and cheer on the Florida Gators.  Residents even receive discounted tickets for several UF events! 

Outdoor Fun

With Gainesville’s mild winters and warm summers, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun all year round. Gainesville has a number of nearby parks and springs, with locations for hiking, bicycling, swimming, and camping. Locals can go tubing down the Ichetucknee river or watch the sunset at Paynes Prairie Preserve.

Night Life

Home to some of the most popular restaurants and bars in town, Downtown Gainesville is the perfect place to go for a night out. During the day, it also hosts many local events including craft fairs, art festivals, and farmer’s markets. Residents can also head down to Celebration Pointe, an open-air plaza that offers retail shops, restaurants, a cinema, and a green space, to enjoy live music or to catch a movie.