[TD*]

Simul get out and explore, Gainesville is a nice city.

Hit up paynes prairie, The springs near by, Lake Wauberg, San Felasco,

I like being outside so I love Gainesville.

[Gettingouttahere]

More culture in Gainesville than in other smallish cities in Florida. Ya gotta love the Gators. It can be a bit unnerving for those not aware of the Gator Nation phenomenon, or not used to a big-uni atmosphere (I'm a Gator but my husband, from the Northeast and not from a big-sports college, was wigged out by the whole place) -- but since you're coming from elsewhere in Florida, it won't be a big change

Just watch kids in the teen years - all that early-20s partying has got to look awfully attractive at that point in adolescence!

[crazynip]

Gainesville has gone so far down hill since I went to school there in the early 90's. It's really a shame. Too many lowlives with no desire to better themselves have taken up residence there or never left.

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by crazynip

Gainesville has gone so far down hill since I went to school there in the early 90's. It's really a shame. Too many lowlives with no desire to better themselves have taken up residence there or never left.

You've already admitted you've been back a couple times in 20 years.....

Not quite sure where all the people you speak of are since Gainesville is the highest educated city in the state. Tallahasse might be 1 now.

[yamahastar]

Originally Posted by weatherfordfan

Gainesville is very different than Tampa. I personally, love the Gainesville area. The problem with Gainesville is the parking and traffic. Being that you're from Tampa (I live in Pasco), we know about our traffic being horrible. Gainesville has this same problem except they have NO parking. And I can't stress that enough. There is no parking in Gainesville. If you are within a 5 mile radius of the college, you will get towed if you park illegally (you will become anal about where you park and the restrictions of the parking spaces). There are no spots unless you get to the parking garages before 9 am. The bus system is excellent. It's a physically fit town. It's trendy. I like it because everyone works out to some extent or rides a bike. You coach soccer so you are probably into being physically fit. It's very difficult to find a teaching job in Gainesville and this is where a lot of the soccer jobs come from. There are a lot of students everywhere (which you already know). The Oaks mall is very nice to go visit.

Gainesville is an "uppidity" "yuppie" area, but I love it. It's refreshing because you aren't around all these **** losers in this Tampa area that sit around and wait tables their whole lives and work minimum wage jobs. If you are raising kids, stay to the West of the Univ. of Florida. The Eastside of Gainesville is where the most crime is at. It's a major drinking town, so you're kids are going to be exposed to that. I love to party and I feel that the party-atmosphere is offset by the educated people that live there. It's a great town with fun times and nice weather. If I could get up from Pasco County and leave now to go there, I would.

The main knock that people say about Gainesville is that it's "boring" and the job market is fair at best. The reason the job market suffers is because there are mostly service jobs and a HIGH oversupply of UF students. These students are working internships (free labor for employers) and water down the job market. Yeah, there is no ocean around the corner. But if you like nice restaurants Gainesville has those on Archer Rd. And if you like to drink, the bars/nightclubs are unlimited. This is an elitist preppy environment. And it's refreshing to see this in our state.

Outside of Gainesville, there is Ocala and Lake City (boring areas). Ocala has nice Gulf courses, and it's a retirement area. Lake City is a laid-back hillbilly area (nice people, really backwoods).

There is a high turnover rate of people in Gainesville (people come in, get their education, and leave). It is very Fraternity and Sorority oriented (I would say extreme).

I think you are going to really like Gainesville because everything revolves around sports, fitness, education, and the Florida Gators. This is an eliteist town. There are some really nice folks, and there are some pompus folks there as well. The houses can be a bit pricey but you should be okay. Any other thing you want to know, feel free to ask.

Please don't listen to posts like this from people who don't live here!
The only thing that is accurate here is that Lake City is north of Gainesville and Ocala is south.
The areas that are good for raising kids are peppered through out town and in the some of the newer subdivisions like Haile Plantation, Tioga which are west of town. There are "bedroom communities" that are nice, quiet places for families, like Melrose/Keystone Heights to the east and Newberry/Alachua to the west.

Good Luck

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by Gatornation

You've already admitted you've been back a couple times in 20 years.....

Not quite sure where all the people you speak of are since Gainesville is the highest educated city in the state. Tallahasse might be 1 now.

I was there on Friday. Dumpy.

Love that big empty lot on the corner of 13th street and university where the book store, burrito brothers, and the old Eckerds was. That's really an improvement

[Vinny Vuckovich]

that lot went bust as developers funds went south from 08 crash . some swear by gainesville other hate it . living there doesnt feel like florida , feels like a small georgia town . if u end up high and dry where will you go , bronson ? if had options to live at beach then i would head out to flagler , crescent or daytona and live .

[Gatornation]

Originally Posted by crazynip

I was there on Friday. Dumpy.

Love that big empty lot on the corner of 13th street and university where the book store, burrito brothers, and the old Eckerds was. That's really an improvement

So you've been around campus three times in 20 years?

Your thoughts offer little substance and are very general. Gainesville has various negatives but you dont have the knowledge to be able to articulate them.

[mirojoan89]

Hello to you all!

I'm hoping I can get some help with renting a fully furnished and equipped studio/mother-in-law/garage apartment/cottage/1br close to UF, but away from the Gator crowd and partying.

Could any of you give me some leads? I'm really not interested in student housing nor apartment sharing, I'd like my own little place. I'm an adult student transferring to Gainesville in the fall 2012 and craigslist is pretty much flooded with student housing, making it difficult to find something different. I know it's a little early for fall rental, but I have no idea what to expect as I have not been in a similar situation (competing with young students for crappy living conditions), and would love to get the rental out of the way asap.

I'm a female student (32), great tenant, coming from Sarasota, looking for a safe neighborhood and a clean apartment. All my belongings are in Chicago and I have no intention of moving them across country, therefore the need for a fully furnished place in the $500-600 range. Currently renting a turnkey studio in Sarasota, FL. So, what's your advise? I appreciate any feedback from Gainesville locals. Please help me out!!!!

[Vinny Vuckovich]

with respect , you are 32 .... why move from Sarasota to G-ville ? ! ? ! Wow ....