info on Gainesville

It's a big college town. It's hot, humid, and there's very little breeze. I'm not a fan of it, but ask GuyIncognito...he moved there not long ago from LA.

 

it's a small rural southern college town. Gainesville is NOT Florida in the sense that most people think of Florida...it's more like Georgia/Alabama in a lot of respects.

not much to do here unless you're a college kid or a redneck (hunting/fishing/etc).

weather is awful in the summer, which lasts from early May through mid October.

I'm not a fan.

 

specific to your friend's interests:

scuba should be no issue with a drive-hour to either coast

ice hockey is going to be an issue. roller hockey is available if that would suffice.

good restaurants, there are a couple in town, most of the restaurants here are chains and/or geared towards students (cheap, loud, mediocre).

schools are typical crap public schools, a few (mostly religious) private schools.

 

the good news (sorta), you have a lot close-ish to do. within a 3 hour drive you have:

Orlando/theme parks
Daytona (racing)
Tampa
Jacksonville
Amelia Island (concours in March)
Sebring (racing)
tons of beaches.

5 hours (or so) to Miami or Atlanta.

so if they're the weekend road trip types, you can make it an OK place to live. as long as you like sweating most of the year

 

no worries! glad to help

 

I lived there for three very long years (law school). Not sure you could pay me enough to move back. If you like terrible weather, drunk college students and people who talk about the latest football recruit like he might just be the second coming of Jesus, it is quite a town. For anyone not trying to relive their late teens it is a swamp. Which, incidentally, is the name of the most popular bar there.

 

You guys make me laugh

 

Because of your colorful descriptions: you did not mince words

 

It's the devil town. I get hives just thinking about it. But maybe that's because I went to FSU...

 

only been to Tallahassee once, but I'd take it any day over Hogtown. and I don't have a dog in the football team fight.

 

Gainesville is a small, little, boring, redneck central Florida college town but if your friend has a good job offer go for it as both the east and west coasts are only a short drive away with many great places to visit. I grew up near Gainesville and went to college there as did one of my daughters so I know it quite well..
PS I will be starting a Cars and Coffee this coming fall in St Augustine where I have a winter home

 

Summer in Gainesville is like being on the Amazon, you can scrape the humidity off your skin. Winter on the other hand is quite pleasant. As for restaurants, recreation and entertainment, I usually take a motorcycle trip with friends on the weekend to anywhere else to find these things.

 

University of Florida is an incredible soon and I'm even having trouble considering it (upcoming HS senior) because of Gainesville… haha

 

G'ville is a great town to be a student. Not sure I'd live there as my first choice as a 40-something, but as a starving grad student, it was great. UF is a great academic institution; would not rule it out based on weather. Stay inside during the summer; enjoy mild winters. And, if there is still an un-AC'd dorm, as there was when I went there, avoid it like the plague, unless you need a great way to sweat off 20 lbs!...T

 

don't let us talk you out of it, especially if it's cheap or free...

small college towns are great for students. you'll have a blast.

just think of it as JAX without the beach or military

 

LOL JAX is okay, still very southern but bigger, better more diverse economy, and on the water.

 

Jax is a small town with big buildings. The only cultural advantage Gainesville has is a Trader Joe's.

 

I got my PhD from UF back in 1991. Stayed there another 3 years before moving to Tampa area for a job. I liked G'ville. Yes the summers are hot and oppressive but you plan accordingly - get any outside work done early then retreat to the AC for indoor activities. Being in North Central FL you can get to a lot of different things in a relatively short time. I would go back if I had a good opportunity.

If it is a good career move, it should be checked out personally, not left to a couple replies from a Ferrari internet forum.