| With appreciation rates still at 19%, Gainesville Florida | | | | due to the University of Florida Gators' cult-like |
| boasts the fourth quickest appreciating real estate | | | | following. In fact, as a means to hydrate the Gators, |
| market in the nation. The city's many honors include | | | | Gatorade was invented and the UF team still gets a |
| the following; one of the Top Ten Cities in the USA for | | | | share of the profits. |
| Outdoor Activities (2005), Most Technologically | | | | Gainesville also gave birth to Tom Petty and the |
| Advanced City in Florida (2005), Silver-Level | | | | Heartbreakers, as well as a well-known punk-ska |
| Bicycle-Friendly Community Award (2004, 2005), #3 | | | | scene that includes bands such as Against Me! and |
| Mid-Market City (2004), #11 of the Top 15 Best Places | | | | Less Than Jake. A relatively cheap place to live, the |
| to Reinvent Your Life (2003), and the Gold Well City | | | | city offers moderately priced cuisine and all the cheap |
| USA Award (2003). Gainesville's own University of | | | | beer and drink specials of any major college town. |
| Florida is the state's oldest and largest university with | | | | Home prices are low, with median prices less than |
| 16 colleges and over 150 research centers. U.S. News | | | | $150,000 for a single-family home and monthly |
| and World Report ranks the university within the top | | | | apartment rent at around $600. |
| fifty in its esteemed annual college guide, The | | | | Gainesville is located in the growing Alachua County |
| university boasts an exceptionally high freshman | | | | that features eleven other incorporated cities. |
| retention rate of 94%, indicating a market of returning | | | | Gainesville's 111,000 residents comprise over half the |
| upperclassmen looking for off-campus housing. | | | | county's population. Over 65% of the county is |
| Conveniently situated, Gainesville is less than an hour | | | | wilderness, including scenic lakes, forests, wetlands, and |
| drive from either of Florida's coasts, facilitating day trips | | | | trails, yet the area is still easily accessible by major |
| to the beach. Orlando's theme parks are just two | | | | roadways. Four major highways-I-75, U.S. 301, S.R. 26 |
| hours away, as are Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and | | | | and U.S. 441-all travel to Alachua County, linking it to |
| Tampa. | | | | the coasts and the major Florida tourist attractions. |
| There's plenty to do in Gainesville, between visiting | | | | And Gainesville Regional Airport is only five miles from |
| historical sites and museums, several theaters, golfing, | | | | downtown Gainesville, and is serviced by two major |
| and biking. And football season is a constant activity | | | | commercial airlines. |