Gainesville is the largest city and county seat of Alachua County. It serves as the cultural, educational, and commercial centre for the north-central Florida region. Gainesville is home to Florida's largest and oldest university and is one of the state's centres of educational, medical, and cultural events and athletics. The University of Florida and Shands Hospital at UF are the leading employers in Gainesville and provide jobs for many residents of surrounding counties. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville's numerous parks, museums, and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban "forest," Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida.
Why Book Student Accommodation in Gainesville?
Gainesville isn’t like any other place in Florida. The city’s combination of college-town vitality and protected natural beauty makes it one of a kind; a place “where nature and culture meet”. Gainesville offers 30+ miles of biking and hiking trails while spotting wildlife like birds, bison, wild horses or alligators in seven areas Florida State Parks, as well as scenic rivers to canoe or paddleboard.
A rich melting pot, Gainesville is full of vibrant, college town fun, inexpensive and often free attractions for the family and peaceful, relaxed outdoor experiences for those seeking a slower pace. Whatever your passion, the nature and culture of Gainesville and Alachua County are the ones for you.
Universities in Gainesville
University of Florida
Casita has 4 accommodation options within walking distance to the university.
More than three bus stops are close to the university; Wildflower Bus Stop is just a 9-minute walk away.
Both Lake Alice Conservation Area and World's Largest Bat House are within 15 minutes on foot.
Santa Fe College
Casita’s 4 accommodation options are within walking distance to the university.
There are three bus stops close to campus; the Santa Fe College bus stop is just a 6-minute walk away.
Museum of Earth Science and Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo are both just a 13-minute walk away.
City College (Gainesville campus)
Our accommodation options are all within walking distance of the campus.
Cofrin Nature Park is just an 8-minute car ride away; Butterfly Rainforest at the Florida Museum of Natural History is 14 minutes away by car.
Student Life
Is Gainesville a good city to live in?
A ranking from the survey company Niche.com for the best American cities favours Gainesville over every other city in Florida, placing it among the top 50 cities in the nation. Niche researchers factored in good public schools, affordable costs of living, low crime rates, and the overall satisfaction of their residents, culling data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Census Bureau, the FBI, and public-sentiment polling.
According to the survey, Gainesville is one of the best places to live in Florida. Living in Gainesville offers residents an urban-suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. Many young professionals live in Gainesville and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Gainesville are highly rated.
Is Gainesville expensive to live in?
Gainesville, Florida is an affordable place to live. In fact, the city is 8.7% cheaper to live in than the national average which is a huge bonus if you are moving from a more expensive area. With an average salary of $58,000, expect to live comfortably. Plus, living in the sunshine state means that you will get to take advantage of the no-state income tax.
Is Gainesville good for international students?
The people of Gainesville are friendly and welcoming, especially towards international students. Each international is paired up with a local student who serves as their ambassador and friend to help them get used to life in Gainesville. There are many local students who treasure the opportunities to learn more about different cultures, countries of origin, foods, and music.
Must-Visit Places in Gainesville
There are quite a lot of exciting things to do in Gainesville. On the surface, Gainesville doesn’t seem to promise much fun, especially in the downtown, which may look like a sleepy county, but as soon as you start exploring the town, you will be surprised by the amount of fun in this city.
There are so many attraction spots in Gainesville. You can visit the Florida Museum of Natural History. This huge, sprawling complex filled with everything from life-sized dinosaur bones to living butterfly rainforests has a little something for everyone in terms of age, gender, and interest. The Harn Museum of Art Not offers more than 10,000 works to admire, and it’s completely and totally free. You can also drop by The Bat Houses. The Lubee Bat Conservancy is home to dozens of species of bats, including several exotic and endangered breeds.
Besides all those amazing museums and indoor activities, there are also other external Gainesville attractions. Some of these include the Devil’s Millhopper State Park and the Morningside Nature Center, which is situated just outside the city.
Transportation in Gainesville
Gainesville has an extensive road network. The city is served by Gainesville Regional Transit System, or RTS, Florida's fourth-largest mass transit system. It presently serves 40 city routes (19 on Saturdays, 16 on Sundays), 10 campus routes, and five "Later Gator" routes. Paratransit (ADA) service is also provided to anyone with a Gainesville address.
The area is also served by Gainesville Regional Airport ("GNV") in the northeast part of the city, with daily service to Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Also, according to the 2000 census, 5.25% of Gainesville residents commuted to work by bike, among the highest figures in the nation for a major population centre.
Nearby Student Accommodation In Florida
Besides having facilities for student accommodation in Gainesville, Casita also offers student accommodation in other Florida cities. Some of these cities are:
Tampa, Orlando, Santa Clara, and Miami.