Gainesville, FL

Gainesville is the largest city in Alachua County in northern Florida. With a population of about 130,000, it strikes the perfect balance between the excitement of urban living and the quality of life of the suburbs. The original home of the Gatorade sports drink, Gainesville is a delightful place to call home.

Thanks to the University of Florida's campus being in the center of town, Gainesville is a sports lover's dream. Football is, by far, the favorite, with locals and visitors alike cheering on the Florida Gators. Other popular college sports include basketball, tennis and golf. The local race track also provides options for those who prefer automotive sports.

On the cultural side of things, visitors from around the country flock to Gainesville each year for The Spring Arts Festival and The Downtown Festival and Art Show, held in the fall. The city hosts several other festivals throughout the year as well.

Recent trends in the area have shown a shift from suburban sprawl to more people wanting to live in high-rise apartments in the inner city. This has resulted in gentrification of the area between downtown and the university, creating a vibrant and exciting city center.

Aside from the University of Florida, the largest and oldest in the state, Gainesville is home to two other colleges. For younger students, Alachua County Public Schools operates 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 6 high schools in the area. With so many options to choose from, there is no shortage of quality education options for your children. For those who prefer private schools, there are 10 of them in the area, some with religious affiliations, some without. Private school options are available to cater to all age groups.

The University of Florida is the largest employer in the area, furnishing over 27,000 jobs. Other top employers in Gainesville include UF Health, the Alachua County School Board, the VA Hospital and the city of Gainesville itself. In addition to these, residents can also find employment from a variety of chain retailers, like Publix and Walmart, as well as jobs in small local businesses. The median household income in Gainesville is over $31,000, allowing families to live comfortably, thanks to the low cost of living in the area.

Aside from UF sporting events, the city of Gainesville offers plenty of other entertainment opportunities. The area is home to several parks and nature areas, letting you and your family enjoy the outdoors. The weather in Gainesville is warm throughout most of the year, making it the ideal place for those who enjoy spending time outside.

With the burgeoning downtown scene came a wide range of shopping and dining establishments for residents to choose from. Nightlife is also popular in this area, with most bars busy throughout the week with UF students and local residents.

The Gainesville area is highly affordable for most American families, with median home prices at around $130,000. When you are ready to make your home here, get in touch with Swift Creek Realty. Our Gainesville Realtors are highly familiar with the local area and can help you and your family find your dream home. Get in touch with us today to learn more and get your home search started.

Sources:

http://www.cityofgainesville.org/Community/AboutGainesville.aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gainesville,_Florida

http://www.city-data.com/city/Gainesville-Florida.html

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