Gainesville bears the distinction of being the best place to live and work in 2007 according to Frommer’s “Cities Ranked and Rated.” Gainesville is home of the National Champion Florida Gators and has been recognized by Forbes, National Geographic and a host of others as a unique and exciting place to live.
It is easy to see why Gainesville, Florida is recognized as one of Florida’s most livable cities as it flourishes in the heart of beautiful North Central Florida. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the area basks in beautiful sunshine during the daytime while the cool breezes make summer nights comfortable.
The city of Gainesville is located in Alachua County, a county of 12 incorporated cities and a total population of more than 220,000. The Gainesville population is more than 111,000. As county seat, Gainesville serves as the commercial hub for the North Central Florida area. It is home to the University of Florida, the largest public land grant institution in the state and a key player in education, medicine, cultural arts and sports for the area.With almost 65 percent of the county’s 965 square miles comprised of wilderness dotted with scenic lakes, wetlands and trails, it is a delight for nature lovers of all ages. The area contains approximately 100 square miles of wetlands and scenic lakes plus nearly 520 miles of forests.
Visit the Cultural Affairs Division and the Visitor and Convention Bureau for information about area festivals and events.
Gainesville is situated on the I-75 corridor, 85 miles south of the Georgia border, 50 miles east of the Gulf of Mexico and 67 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean. Marking the northern border is the Santa Fe River, part of the freshwater system located in the area.
With average highs between 76 and 82 degrees fahrenheit in the spring and fall, between 89 and 91 degrees fahrenheit in the summer and as high as 69 degrees fahrenheit in the winter, the local temperate climate indulges a growing season that lasts through much of the year.
Alachua County was explored by the Spanish as early as the 1500’s and was deeded in 1817 to Don Fernando de la Mata Arredondo by the King of Spain. The county gets it name from the Seminole word alachua (uh-LAH’-chew-uh), meaning sinkhole, which is probably a reference to the large sinkhole located in nearby Paynes Prairie. When Florida became a territory of the United States by treaty with Spain, the Arredondo Grant was voided and Alachua became the territory’s ninth county in 1824.The Seminole Indians considered the region their own and resisted resettlement. By the time the community of Gainesville was established in 1854, Alachua County was witnessing the beginning of the second Seminole War. The new city was named for General Edmund Gaines, captor of Aaron Burr and a victorious commander in the Second Seminole War.
In 1853, the East Florida Seminary acquired the Kingsbury Academy in Ocala and the seminary moved to Gainesville in the 1860’s. It later merged with the Florida Agricultural College, then located in Lake City. By legislative action in 1905, the consolidated college became the University of Florida and was moved permanently to Gainesville. Classes first met with 102 students on the present site on September 26, 1906, later opening its doors to women in 1947. Today with more than 47,000 students, it is one of the five largest universities in the nation.
Today, Gainesville’s Northeast Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places due to its preservation of many buildings built between 1880 and 1930. Florida’s second-oldest town, Micanopy (mih-can-OH’-pea), lies 13 miles south of Gainesville and features antique, art and curio shops.
Alachua County contains four major highways - I-75, U.S. 301, S.R. 26 and U.S. 441. The cities of Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville can be reached within a two-hour drive, while St. Augustine, Ocala and Lake City are within a one-hour drive. CSX Transportation provides Gainesville with daily freight service, while Amtrak offers passenger service from nearby Waldo. Greyhound bus lines offer service to all major U.S. cities from Gainesville, while the Regional Transit System delivers scheduled bus service throughout the city.Gainesville Regional Airport is easily accessible, only five miles from downtown Gainesville. The 2,000-acre airport serves the heart of Florida through all facets of aviation including commercial airlines, general aviation, military and air cargo.
The diversity and affordability of housing options found in the Gainesville area are unmatched as the options make it easy to find a home to match any lifestyle. From single family homes in the Gainesville area’s contemporary, established or historic neighborhoods to multi-family apartments, condominiums and retirement communities, new residents can find a variety of spacious, well-maintained and affordable homes.
Estimated median price for an exisiting single-family home in Gainesville $210,400
Estimated average monthly rent for apartment living in the Gainesville area $831.00
With more than 60 percent of the instructional staff holding advanced degrees, the visionary leadership and innovative educational programs and services of the Alachua County School District maintains the status of one of the most highly regarded public school systems in Florida. The county manages 24 elementary schools (including 10 centers), seven middle schools, seven high schools, and 15 Charter schools, for a total enrollment of more than 30,000 students.For the last several years, the district has received the “What Parents Want” Award from SchoolMarch, the nation’s largest school selection consulting firm. Three schools in Alachua County have met the criteria to be designated a “Five Star School”, recognizing their exemplary programs that produce higher achievement through the integration of Business Partnerships, Family Involvement, Volunteers, Student Community Service and School Advisory Councils.
Standardized test scores show that student achievement is above national and state standards in all subject areas. Local scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) are above averages and continue to show improvement. The state grades its public schools and for the current school year, Alachua County Public Schools were awarded an ‘A’ grade, with 27 schools scoring an ‘A’ or ‘B’ on the 2007 FCAT. In 2008, Alachua County students ranked first in all three categories statewide on the SAT scores. Alachua County students who took the ACT this year also raised the county-wide average on the 36-point test from 19.6 a year ago to 20.2 this year, topping the 2008 state average of 19.8.
Innovative enrichment and magnet programs are available at the elementary and middle school levels for both gifted and talented students. High school magnet programs provide real-world experience in a variety of careers such as health, business, culinary arts, technology and criminal justice. High achieving high school students may also choose from a variety of accelerated programs, some offered in conjunction with Santa Fe Community College (SFCC).The Area Career and Technical Education programs have been recognized as one of the top Tech Prep programs in the nation. This program is a cooperative effort of the School Board, Sis a cooperative effort of the School Board, SFCC and the Gainesville Chamber of Commerce enable students to meet graduation requirements while gaining technical skills in a career field of their choice.The Alachua County school district leads the way in preparing students for a high-tech future. The nation’s first mobile technology lab was developed in Alachua County. The school district has earned international recognition for its use of technology in the classroom and its early education program is also recognized as a national model, for each elementary school offers an extensive preschool program. To register children for school, call the Zoning Office at 352-955-7700.
Education has been one of the chief businesses in Gainesville since the Buckman Act of 1905 created the University of Florida. Today, UF is a major public, state-supported, land-grant research university with a wide range of academic and research programs on its campus. It is the state’s oldest and largest university, and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.UF offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, nearly 200 graduate programs and five major professional programs. In addition to 21 colleges and schools, UF has more than 100 research, research, and education centers, bureaus and institutes. With more than 47,000 students, 4000 faculty and 18,000 staff, UF is among the five largest universities in the nation. More information is available at www.ufl.edu.
Economic development and career opportunities are the central missions of Santa Fe College. SFC offers approximately 50 associate of science programs in a wide range of fields. More than 90 percent of graduates from these programs find employment in the field of their choice or continue their education.The college has experienced steady growth since it first offered classes in 1966. Today there are more than 14,000 students taking credit classes and 8000 more in community education classes for personal development. SFC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Florida Department of Education.
City College is a private, non-profit junior college located in Gainesville, with other campuses in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando. The college has experienced steady growth, not only in the area of traditional education, but also in customized training programs for business and government.City College’s primary specializations are in the medical, business and legal fields. The college also offers various programs such as the “Corporate Partnership Program,” through which business people, government workers and the general public can access a number of services, including seminars, workshops and computer training. More information is available at www.citycollege.edu.
Ocala Metropolitan Campus – Webster University is an independent, accredited, non-profit university offering graduate degree programs in business administration, management and leadership, human resources, counseling and several online programs. Founded in St. Louis, MO, in 1915, the University is dedicated to academic excellence and innovation to meet the needs of students, businesses, and working adults. Webster University currently serves more than 22,000 students through a network of more than 100 campuses worldwide and online.Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. For more information click here.
Patients across the nation have sought medical care at Gainesville health care facilities. Alachua County is home to four major hospitals: North Florida Regional Medical Center, Shands Hospital at UF, Shands at AGH and the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center. It is also home to the University of Florida Health Science Center, the most comprehensive academic medical center in the Southeast. Since being founded by a group of physicians and Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in 1972, North Florida Regional Medical Center has provided the community with high quality, cost effective health care. Today, North Florida Regional is a 278 bed, full service medical and surgical acute care center offering comprehensive heart care and orthopedic/neurosurgery and spine services. www.nfrmc.com
North Florida Regional is committed to providing integrated healthcare services that meet or exceed the needs and expectations of those they serve. The employees and medical staff are leaders in community causes and participate in a variety of events for the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and United Way.
Shands HealthCare is one of the premier health systems in the Southeast. Shands is committed to delivering essential care to residents living in the local community offering advanced diagnostic and medical services; and pioneering in the provision of sophisticated treatments that draw patients nationally for highly specialized care. At the heart of Shands HealthCare are nine not-for-profit hospitals and more than 1,500 affiliated University of Florida and community physicians covering virtually every medical specialty and providing everything from family practice and pediatrics to behavioral health and medically advanced care such as trauma, transplantation and neurosurgery. With experts in areas including cancer diabetes, cardiovascular services, neurosurgery, pediatrics and transportation, Shands HealthCare has celebrated numerous medical “firsts” and milestones for the region, state and nation. More information is available at www.shands.org.
The Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center is part of the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, a comprehensive and integrated health care delivery system for veterans. The VA offers primary health care services, as well as highly specialized technologically advanced clinical care. The system includes two hospitals, three satellite clinics and several community-based outpatient clinics. Operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the center supports teaching and research through its affiliation with the University of Florida Health Science Center and other colleges and universities.
The state of Florida has no state personal income tax, no state inheritance tax, no franchise tax and no inventory tax. Sales tax is mandated at 6.25%, however, food and medicine are non-taxable items.Homeowners enjoy a homestead exemption from property taxes for the home they occupy. Visit the Alachua County Web site for more details. An intangible tax exists for the state of Florida. For more information, visit the Florida Department of Revenue Web site or call 1-800-352-3671.
Gainesville Regional Utilities furnishes essential utilities - natural gas, electricity and water - for most of Gainesville area residents. Rural Alachua County is serviced by Clay Electric Cooperative, Central Florida Electric Cooperative and Progress Energy. Local telephone service is provided by AT&T/BellSouth and Cox Communications. Cable and Internet services are also provided by Cox.
The Gainesville Sun newspaper is locally published seven mornings each week. The Independent Florida Alligator, is a the nation's largest student-run newspaper published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters. Other area newspapers including The High Springs Herald and The Record, are published weekly.