What do I need to know about Gainesville?

I went to school there.........

The town is all about the UF college........not much else there of major interest if you're older.

It's a quaint country type town, and there are fun places to venture, such as Cedar Key, Ocala, Paines Prarrie, as well as cities such as Orlando, Jacksonville, etc that are not too far.

Definitley not an exciting place if you're older, as most of the clubs/bars are filled with younger college folks and it will make you feel old to go out there. However, it's possible that you're younger than I am (if you're getting your PHD) so perhaps it will be ok.

Cost of living is much less expensive than here in South Florida. Not much worry of Hurricanes, but tornados seem to hit nearby trailer parks! It does get cold in the winter and hot in the summer, though.

There are some decent restaurants there, and certainly good football games to go to.

In sum, it's a great place to go for college/education, but you can outgrow it quickly as you get older.

 

Finally a topic I can really contribute to. I've lived in Gainesville for the past 3.5 years, with the excepton of 4 months in MIA when I met some great FChatters. Gainesville is small, very small. UF has an enrollment around the 50,000 number and that's where the economy comes from. It's a college town in every sense of the word. UF does offer amazing employment opportunities though and is a world renowned institute in academics, health and research, and obviously athletics.

Just to give you an idea of the community, if it wasn't for the university, Alachua county would be Florida's poorest county. The school is the absolute center of everything. And since the city has to cater to the younger college students, the cost of living is significantly lower than other parts of the state. If you're looking for an apartment type living situation, you can throw a rock and hit 5 or 6 apartmet complexes in any direction. Haile Plantation is about 15 minutes outside Gainesville and that is where most of the professors, doctors, and researchers live. Very nice, higher priced neighborhood.

Overall, for the opportunity that you have, I would say go for it. Once you get used to the size and crowdedness, it's a great place. And if you're into college sports, you'd be moving to Title Town, USA. The Gator Nation is the strongest in the country.

PM me or shoot me an email if you would like any
more info. [email protected]. I hope that helps and good luck with your decision.

Peter

 

Robert, you will find life in Gainesville quite different from where you live now.
Cost of living is obviously no comparison with DC, and still cheaper than average VA.
Not that much to do. Like you said, it is a college focused town and everything there works around UF.
Pluses: Weather, cost of living, lots of green space and fresh air.
Minuses: Catered to college people. It can get boring after a few months of monotonous adult activities.
Note: If you like the "Bud" and NHRA crowd, you'll make it in Gainesville. Good luck.

 

All you need to know is to stay away!
GO CANES!!!!

BT

 

-1!!!

 

If I was still a mod I could fix this for you...
But then Duane would probably fix it back...
No worries, Gainesville is nice, I just don't get that welcoming feeling there.
First time I went was about 6 years ago. Go to Burrito Brothers there, everyone who has lived there raves about it.

BT

 

You might want to contact mondialfan, he lives and drives (a Mondial t Coupe) in Gainsville.

 

^^I think I've seen his Mondial on campus a few times back when I was an undergrad there (graduated in 2006).

Gainesville is a nice town. As others have said, very much a college town, but there is some outdoors stuff you can do if you're into that.

I guess you can look around this website to see things to do: http://www.visitgainesville.com/attractions/

I used to live in Columbia, MD to avoid the higher cost of living associated with DC. Definitely couldn't afford to live in Montgomery County so Rockville was out of question. I wouldn't say Gainesville is like any place in Maryland or DC that I've been. You should go to some of the Gator games...always a blast.

By the way, getting a job in Gainesville that isn't at UF is kind of hard compared to the DC metro area. Definitely less traffic though except for Archer road, which can pack up nicely.

 

Went to school there had a great time

Have two places that I rent out there

I have not been back in two - three years

I suppose I could have a great time and live like a king if I moved back. It is something I kicked around for sometime as I work from where ever my cell phone / laptop are.In the end I just cant leave South FL for a place like gainesville.

One of these days one of my places will be vacant for a month and I will go out and have some fun but until then I am happy in south FL.

 

I have lived in the DC area and now live 90 miles north of Gainesville but go there for work about every 4 weeks. There is a good art scene and cultural scene at the Harn museum. The dining is good with a good mix of ethnic foods available. Housing is super cheap. Jacksonville is close and fun. There is also lots of motorsports stuff to go to nearby. It would be an easy transition from Rockville. Jobs in Florida are hard to find for professionals. There is a GE and I think Hitachi plants that make power generation equipment and your SO may find a job there.

 

Nuff said!

It's all about the "U"

 

I like Gainesville. My first venture there was 20 years ago, had a store in the Mall. Definetely a college town. Its different now, more developed, more local conveniences. But still very affordable. Keep your winter clothes, gets a bit colder there than it does in south Florida.

Now I have a daughter that works and goes to school at UF, and a good friend that has asked me to oversee a new project he wants to build just across from the campus. Hotel, student housing, shops, etc, so I may be moving there this fall.

You have all of the major conveniences in Orlando or Tampa, I think both are about 90 minutes away. Major league sports, shopping, theater, etc.

Its quiet, except when its football season.

 

I was only there for two years, but they were among the best two years of my life. G'ville is big enough to have all the amenities you'd want in a city (except perhaps an experienced Ferrari mechanic) but without the big city congestion (except perhaps on Archer and Newberry Roads during the evening rush). Plenty of places to eat and shop and the University takes care of the cultural needs. There are four seasons of weather, but the real cold snaps in winter don't last long. And for anything you can't find there, Jacksonville is just over an hour's drive via four-lane US-301.