Gainesville Info needed (Miami, Tampa, Archer: apartments, rental, condos)

[TNRyan23]

My wife and I are thinking seriously about returning to Florida and were both thinking about transfering to UF after we get through with our C.C. courses.

UF, FSU, and UNC-Chapel Hill are our leading choices.

I was curious what the job market looked like in Gainesville because we're not 18 and probably won't have 100% financial aid. We're a mid-late 20's couple with a kid and will need employment.

Is housing in the area fairly cheap ?

I'm from Tampa but really never made any trips to Gainesville.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[JacKal45]

Job market is a bit tricky. Lots of great medical jobs (nursing, medical coding/administration, etc)... Unemployment rate is relatively low in the city, however, most all of the jobs pay very very low. This is largely because of the high college student population who are easily trainable and work for less wages. There are plenty of families who live here permanently in Gville, and they are able to manage just fine with their houses and land, though I think most of them have backgrounds in agricultural work (lots of farms and food industry). If you are looking for tech relation jobs, you'd be hard up for those as even though UF is pretty technology influenced, there aren't many companies local that are growing here. Like most of florida, I think the best tech jobs are in IT administration, as there is lots of tech hardware and computer networks around--with UF its a very wired city--so there's lots of IT stuff to administrate. People have them and need them to be handled by people with know-how. Other tech jobs though seem to be slim pickings. I guess it depends on what kind of work you are looking for? There are also a lot of jobs to be found at the university itself, so you should take advantage of that as you will be at the university anyway. As for the housing, prices are going on the rise (like apts being repainted and resold as expensive condos), it's harder to find good deals near the university. I recommend finding housing NW of the university; that's also where I live. Learn the roads to make the best of the traffic jams; commute can be slow on the main roads. Many things on Archer Rd and the like can easily be found as well north of the university, and most college kids don't venture out to really learn the city, so take advantage of that.

[wacahootaman]

Right now there is a glut of new apartments. I read where you can get some good deals in renting.

Although this time of year is the peak of the rental season so maybe those deals are gone.

Check it out.

[mquintana]

Housing is cheap, pay is bad...I lived there for a few years. Most regular jobs go to UF students-I live in Tampa now, and am from Miami...I didn't really enjoy G-ville too much...

[rld0013]

Don't know where the above poster lived, but housing is anything but cheap in Gainesville. We have one of the highest property tax rates in the state due to all of the government land in the county. It might be a strech, but if you are set on Gainesville, I would recommend checking the surrounding counties (Gilcrest, Levy, Marion, Putman, Union, or Columbia). The cost of living is much less than here in Gainesville.
I do want to point out however, that Gainesville is a GREAT place to raise a family!

[TNRyan23]

I found a few 2-3 bedroom apartments in Gainesville for between $400-$600 a month but they may or may not have been in decent areas.

I appreciate the information. My wife and I have decided to stay in Nashville for school and possibly relocate back to Florida after we graduate.